So, been looking for a Harig punch grinder for a while. Just couldn't manage to find one for a good price. Also been watching the cheapo chinese punch grinders. Some have been getting good reviews. Well, now there's a rash of units that look like absolute junk for less money. Bit the bullet and bought one of the last ones that looked well made.
Free shipping, and a 30 days return window, how bad can it be? It finally showed up. Left it in the box to warm for a day and started looking at it yesterday. Was surprised to see it has a rack/pinion drive for the V block. Fit and finish are actually very nice. Grinding looks really good, it operates smoothly. Until I tried to move the V block. It was tight, which is actually what I was hoping for. That I can hone to fit, loose is a much bigger problem. Spent a few minutes honing the sides of the V block down (same on each side) on a 600 grid diamond plate. Got it to move real nice.
Tonight is the moment of truth. Throw it on the surface plate and start checking it out. Big concern is the v block squareness, and how well its centered (esp. considering I honed the sides). Well, let's just say it won't be going back.
"Left to Right" (90 to -90) it appears to be within a fraction of a tenth. Dialed in, the runout on a carbide endmill appears to be a tenth. But honestly I think that might be the endmill. Some of the runout seems to move a when rotating the endmill. Clamping pressure might be bowing it, I think it's slighty tapered, and other oddness might be going on. In any case, I'm having trouble finding anything wrong with this thing. So, yeah very pleased. Everything that needs to be good is pretty darn good. (Maybe not quite as good as a harig, but it's probably better than me on the surface grinder! lol)
The T slot nut to hold the V block in place is a little rough. I'll probably surface grind that, and maybe have to hone the T slot face just a little bit. Might lap the nut to the T slot. Probably replace the few screws with quality hardware, but overall for the price Zero complaints.
Then, someone handed me a bag 'o goodies today. Looks like a Michelson Optical interferometer. Bummer is it's missing two very fine pitch screws on the fixed mirror. Those may be hard to find, or even make! #6-80 or something stupid.