Grizzly g619 thoughts?

[underthetire]

So dad, a retired machinist/tech/engineer is looking for a hobby mill. Benchtop is what he wants, simply for space. Mostly model airplane stuff and tinkering. Anyone have the g619? Anything else in that sub 2k category he should be looking at? Mind you, he will never cnc the thing. Since benchtop manual stuff is not my expertise, hoping someone can share thought and opinions.

Thanks.

[Bob La Londe]

I do not have one, but the G0704 sure seems like a lot of bang for your buck. Bigger work envelope and comes with a stand for less money.

[underthetire]

I saw that one as well, but it weighs so much less. He is worried about rigidity especially in the column. However if I get users saying it cuts fine he is certainly not against it. Personally I think it would do what he wants it for, but he is an old, and I mean old Bridgeport guy.

[Bob La Londe]

So keep an eye out on CL and machinery auctions and get him an old BP or clone.

[Bob La Londe]

G0704 setup as a lathe.... A neat thread on the 0704.

[underthetire]

So keep an eye out on CL and machinery auctions and get him an old BP or clone.

Already discussed that with him. Space is a problem, at least till he sells his thunderbird. also doesn't want to deal with 3 phase or having to run another 220 line.

[mattm55]

Yes, I just purchased one (G0619 - SX3) from Grizzly. Its nice to have them about 4 hours away to go visit and see what your actually buying first. For me, I have them ship ship instead of picking up, saves a few $$.

I just got done dis-assembling the whole mill using CR's instructions. Took me about a day and seems well made, serviceable and nice and heavy too. This is my third Grizzly purchase and so far the quality/price have been excellent.

In the process of cleaning the red goop and then going to CNC it before making any chips so the functioning ?'s I leave to others. I would recommend it...

Matt

[Bob La Londe]

Space is a big deal. A VFD is an option though for 3 phase. Lots of people run rotary phase converters, but I'm struggling to see the downside to running a VFD instead.

Get the small mill. I had a '69 T-bird coupe with a 429, and I miss that car often. If his T-bird isn't one of the stretched out ugly ones from the 70s he should keep it and pass it down. Not get rid of it.

[underthetire]

Oh, no, it's a fully frame off restored powder blue and ivory 57 that he did through the 80's and early 90's. He only drove it once since the restoration, been sitting so long since, he had put a new gas tank and radiator in it. I think he is re-restoring it now to try and sell it. He hated driving it. He's more of a sports car guy than a cruizer guy. Ill bet once he sells it he buys a AC cobra replica.

And thanks for the input of the G0619, do you have the link for the disassemble?

[hoss2006]

I saw that one as well, but it weighs so much less. He is worried about rigidity especially in the column. However if I get users saying it cuts fine he is certainly not against it. Personally I think it would do what he wants it for, but he is an old, and I mean old Bridgeport guy.

The extra weight of the g0619 does nothing to help it's rigidity, it has an open column.
It's been shown the the g0704 can cut better, has more travels, is much cheaper, has better tapered gibs and comes with a stand.
Do some more research before you buy something you may regret.
Hoss

[underthetire]

The extra weight of the g0619 does nothing to help it's rigidity, it has an open column.
It's been shown the the g0704 can cut better, has more travels, is much cheaper, has better tapered gibs and comes with a stand.
Do some more research before you buy something you may regret.
Hoss

Saw a few of your youtube videos, very nice. So in your opinion, this G0704 would be a decent manual mill? I see yours are converted, he will never do that. He has a Servo ultra precision bench mill he doesn't like, he wants to be able to use a 1/2 EM in aluminum and mild steel, and be able to drill holes, probably nothing bigger than 1/2".

[Bob La Londe]

1 HP is more than plenty to drill 1/2" holes. Both of my drill presses and my mill drill have 1/2 or 3/4 motors and they are just fine for it when set at the right speed. If I hadn't gotten a smoking deal on an old RF30 and a 8.5 x 18 lathe with a bunch of tooling the G0704 would be on my short list for a manual mill. The 0704 is definitely superior in many ways to the RF30.