Advice needed.

[chipslinger69]

I have had an old Bridgeport for about 11 years and it has seen it's better days. I sold it a few months back to and old buddy of mine who plans on restoring it. The problem is I had planed on buying a Grizzly G0484 in January but they suddenly discontinued it. It seemed like a great deal for the money considering the extra features that it included. From everyone's experience here what other 45 size machine would you all recommend? I have been looking at Grizzly, Bolton, Wholesale Tools, Lathemaster and several others. IH is a little out of the price range I am wanting to spend. I have really been looking at the Wholesale Tools ZX45 for the simple fact that they have an outlet about 1 1/2 hours from me in Houston, Tx. I have watched Hoss's videos of the ZX45 and it seems to be a fairly decent machine. I plan on CNCing it maybe a year or so down the road. So that being said what is everyone's thoughts as to which machine would be best under the $2k mark? Dang Grizzly. Any thoughts or concerns would be greatly appreciated.

[eartaker]

I cant speak for the Wholesale Tools clone but the Bolton is a beast and well built.

Me, Flenser and gd.marsh are converting the Bolton right now. Flenser and gd.marsh ar further along than me though but here are links to all 3 builds.

Mine - http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...ce_needed.html

Flenser - Yet another ZX45 conversion

gd.marsh - Bolton ZX45 Conversion

[chipslinger69]

Eartaker, I have read those builds several times trying to help me make my mind up but with no success. Is there anything special about the Bolton machine that you can tell that would make it worth $300.00 more than the WT ZX. The only drawback that I have noticed about the WT ZX so far is that the Z crank is on the left side of the machine. Which seems to be bass ackwards.

[eartaker]

The head on the WT can only be rotated 45deg in either direction where the Bolton can be rotated 90deg. Bolton has a 2hp motor vs 1.5hp and can use either 110vac or 220vac.

If you are looking for cheap then you might want to look at the DM45 from Penn Tool Co. but I hear the quality of the machine isnt so great.
Top Tech Geared Head Mill/Drill Dovetail Column - Swivel Head 90° << Metal Working Machinery << Online Catalog << Penn Tool Co.

I had the same problem you did when I decided to buy a RF clone and deciding what one to buy took me over a month.

[hoss2006]

The head on the WT ZX45 can rotate 360 degrees actually.
I've noticed that there are 2 different columns out there for the RF45's,
smaller versions like the Bolton ZX45 and the G0484 that have the handle on the right side
and bigger heavier duty versions like the WT ZX45 and PM-45M.
The smaller ones taper in the rear about 1/3 the way up while the bigger ones continue straight up.
That gives them a lot more meat and rigidity.
Look similar to the columns on the IH mills.
The pic below shows this with the Bolton on the left and the WT on the right.
My WT ZX45 also came with a very nice control panel compared to a simple switch shown on the website.
Another note of comparison is the the WT ZX45 has more rated travels than the Bolton, my Y axis can actually get 9.5 inches of travel.
Motor rpm is 1970, the highest of the RF45's.
Unlike many others, they are shown in stock at Wholesale Tool and if you use
the coupon NEWCUS at checkout, it's only $1420.
Hoss

[chipslinger69]

Thanks for the link eartaker. Hoss, Thanks for pointing out some of the differences. Eartaker made a good point as to the WT being only 110v. Hoss, since you have the WT ZX45, does it look like it could be wired 220 but just not listed on the website? One of the turnoffs of the WT ZX45 was the pic on the web site showing only an off/on switch. I don't think the NEWCUS code would do me any good if I plan on picking it up in person since they are only 1 1/2 hrs away. Maybe I can pay for it online but pick it up at the store, I'll have to call them.

[hoss2006]

I haven't looked into the hassle of running 220 to it, it already has more than enough power at 110.
If I do like so many and swap in a 3 phase and VFD down the road, I'll deal then, right now
I just plug it in an go.
The Bolton has the same On/Off switch, glad mine came how it did.
Hoss

[chipslinger69]

Good point on the 220. No need to wire for 220 if it runs good on 110. What kind of switch are you saying the Bolton has? Just the simple forward/ reverse.

[eartaker]

The WT ZX45 looks like a great machine and wish I would have been able to see one. If it is only an hour or so away you should just drive up there and look at it. =]

[chipslinger69]

Yeah, I have to go to Houston in 2 weeks for a meeting. I am considering just swinging by WT and taking a look at one.

[hoss2006]

Good point on the 220. No need to wire for 220 if it runs good on 110. What kind of switch are you saying the Bolton has? Just the simple forward/ reverse.

You can see the switch in gd marsh's pics in his thread.
Bolton ZX45 Conversion
Hoss

[chipslinger69]

Thanks Hoss. I like a lot of switches and lights. The more the marrier.