mini mill/lathe info/help

[Tig]

I'm looking at getting a mini mill and a lathe or both if its a 3 in 1. I dont need anything huge, just a table top model.

These are the ones I have been looking at.

1.http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8689/images - I like having the option of being able to angel it.
2.http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8688

3.http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39743 - I like the 3-1 option

4.http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47158- the price makes me happy, I'm just not sure if its going to cut it. Its the smallest of the bunch and I dont want to be limited.

Please any info that you guys have would be appreciated. Pros and cons, and if you have any experience with either or have a machine that is not listed please let me know.
Thanks

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

The multi machines have a few drawbacks. The biggest one is the limited space for chucking or milling. Are you only going to do tiny parts? The other limitation is that you can only work on one thing at a time. It is nice to have something chucked up in the lathe and go to the milling machine without having to change the setup or remove your work.

I have no experience with the grizzlies though. I have a sherline mill and an old engine lathe. Both work well.

 

[Mnster]

Grizzly make some very high quality tools. I bought the mill bits for my machine there very high quality stuff. I stopped in at one of their stores once to very nice machines.

I have the harbor frieght 3 in 1 it's a great little machine does everything I need it to do and more. RD400 has the same machine, he was making those Erickson beadlock wheels with it.

If I had to give negitives about the machine. I'd say the vice is sometimes a little small, the lock used to keep the mill head in place doesn't hold very well, the hardware used is a little on the cheap side, machine weighs like 300 pounds, the mill table is small and sometimes that lathe chuck gets in the way when machining large parts like chassis. I really wish I could have auto feed. But, on the other hand the machine is low in price, compact, you can pick it up at the store and you generally make all the chip mess in one place so clean up is a breeze.

 

[Tig]

Thanks for the info guys.

John,
You have a some good points about space and set-up.

Mnster,
Thanks for the info on the 3-1

I think I'll stick with the Grizzly and get this sometime down the road http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95012 or this
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8688

Thanks again guys I appreciate it "thumbsup"

 

[Lankenstein]

Heres the one we use. www.minitechcnc.com

Made by minitech. Cost about $6000

4th axis cnc machine. Small and compact. Work envolope is about 14" x 20" but these things scream!

 

[Tig]

:shock: :shock: WOW:shock: :shock:
I wish. Thats a pretty insane little bugger.

 

[JasonInAugusta]

I like my Sherline.

 

[Tig]

Jason,
I wish had a little more $$$$ for that one, thats a sharp looking mill. Looks smooth.

I may end up getting the smaller one, just for the cost. If I can convince my wife for the Grizzly then I'll get that one.

Thanks