Pulling the trigger PM45M Mill and PM1127V Lathe

[jfseaman]

After not having any machining since 2005, I am finally ordering.

Much hemming and hawwing but it came down features and shipping.

I was going to go all Grizzly but I would have had to start adding things to get to the feature set of the PM45M and the PM1127V seems just a little bigger than the Grizzly 11 x 26. The PM1127V spindle bore is 1/16 bigger as well.

So going by the advise on the forum, get the biggest you can fit into your shop and afford the PM45M and PM1127V seem to meet those criteria.

I know Lathemaster sells the same machine (or close) for less but then I have to add shipping, a stand, no coolant system, no tooling.

I will be converting these to CNC but it won't be for quite awhile (1 year perhaps). These machines are initially going strait to storage while my Garage/Shop is being built (not even started yet). I believe the price will only go up for all the possible machines and if not shipping will so I'm pulling the trigger now.

I'll post on how the order process, shipping and delivery go.

[idtkid]

Exciting! Those machines look great. Can I ask where you bought them and for how much?

[pete from TN]

if it is anything like my Lathemaster machine I am quite sure you will enjoy it. I am about nuts trying to get my cnc conversion done on my machine. Cannot wait!!! Also check out my thread on the belt drive conversion I am doing on it... These machines are just large enough to do some decent machining and just small enough to be able to move around if necessary and are manageable with an engine crane. Make sure you get some pics of it when it arrives and post em' for us to see... Good luck with it...peace

[jfseaman]

Originally Posted by pete from TN if it is anything like my Lathemaster machine I am quite sure you will enjoy it. I am about nuts trying to get my cnc conversion done on my machine. Cannot wait!!! Also check out my thread on the belt drive conversion I am doing on it... These machines are just large enough to do some decent machining and just small enough to be able to move around if necessary and are manageable with an engine crane. Make sure you get some pics of it when it arrives and post em' for us to see... Good luck with it...peace

Yep. Those are part and parcel. Anything bigger becomes to hard to handle.

I hope I'm getting my machines from www.machinetoolonline.com

[idtkid]

Are you from Pittsburgh? Me and Hoss are that I know of.

[idtkid]

Are you from Pittsburgh?

[jfseaman]

Originally Posted by idtkid Are you from Pittsburgh? Me and Hoss are that I know of.

California.

[idtkid]

Ahh gotcha, that shop is just a distributor is just a few miles from me.

[jfseaman]

The only retail close to me is HF.

Originally Posted by idtkid Ahh gotcha, that shop is just a distributor is just a few miles from me.

[jfseaman]

I just spoke with the owner of Quality Machine Tools.

I believe we've worked out enough details to finalize an order.

The PM1127V lathe is in stock but but the PM45M mill is on the boat. He said trouble with those on the boat is that they are all sold but there is another order coming after that. I said I can wait.

So I think we are all set.

Features and tooling per website. Free shipping, lift gate to my storage included.

I'll get it from storage to the house once the Garage/Shop is built.

I'm getting them now before the garage is ready because:

- They are as big as I can possibly fit in my garage (as planned the garage is as big as I can make it)

- These machines configured per the website have all the feature I want until converted to CNC. Stands included and for the mill coolant included, collet set and a vise.

- The price is right. With the features and free shipping, I don't think I can do better without hassle. The price will only go up and loss of free shipping when the economy turns around.

- The design details of the PM45M is closer to the Lathemaster or IH than Grizzly or MTW (MD002). A full IH size won't fit as I plan on making a 4' x 4' (or larger) router table.

- The spindle bore of the PM1127V is bigger than the other lathes in the 11x26 class.

Away we go.

[Teyber12]

Originally Posted by jfseaman California.

where in cali if you dont mind me asking

[Thazul]

I have that lathe, and they list 1-1/16" Bore, but mine doesn't quite measure that big.

If I remember correctly, its just a couple thou bigger than 1".

I think it might be just big enough for 1" stock, I haven't tried yet though.

I can check if you would like.

The free shipping has been that way as long as I can remember.

I bought mine in middle of 2007, I think it was one of the first models with the digital readout for rpms.

Couple things to be ready for is getting either the mini fuses on hand that it uses(pain to get locally if not impossible)

Or just get a whole new fuse holder and regular fuses.

Me and the other guy here on the zone that I know has one both had problems with the fuses/fuse holder.

Also, recently the magnetic switch stopped working, I got a replacement that's not quite the same but works from Grizzly.

And maybe consider a QCTP that's ready to go from them if you don't feel like doing some modifying.

Get the cleanin' rags ready, and don't forget to order yourself some way oil.

G'luck, & don't forget to post pics when you get it!

Best Regards,

Andy