Grizzly G3617 vs. G6760 What would you buy?

[DrDudley]

I would like to know the real difference between the two if possible
the G3617 can be found here:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Hori...cal-Mill/G3617

while the G6760 can be found here:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Mill...wer-Feed/G6760

I would like to buy one or the other but don't know what would be a better purchase.
Help please.

[jalessi]

Do you need the horizontal milling features?

[DrDudley]

I would like to be able to do gears and the like. But not sure what else I would use it for. I have a lathe.

[acondit]

Here is what stood out to me.

The Table size on the G6760 is 7-7/8" x 35-3/4" while the table size on the G3617 is 9-1/2" x 39-3/8". The G6760 has a vertical spindle while G3617 has both a horizontal and a vertical spindle (with a separate motor for each).

Travel on the G6760:
# Table travel (longitudinal): 20-1/2"
# Table travel (cross): 9-1/2"
Travel on the G3617:
# Table travel (longitudinal): 21-7/8"
# Table travel (cross): 9-1/4"

Alan

[jalessi]

DrDudley,

Did you read the thread I suggested on the machine in Australia that is a clone of the Grizzly G3617 ?

http://tinyurl.com/5btqvs

That machine was plagued with ridgitity issues because of the method the column was attached to the base and it was flexing badly.

If it where me I would find out if this issue has been resolved by Grizzly before making a purchase.

The problem described in the Australia thread is not something that I would be able to cope with for several reasons.

After spending over $3,000.00 you would expect a well assembled mill.

Disassembling the complete lower half of the mill and building a new base or reinforcing the factory unit with weldments is a engineering job not a home hobby retrofit.

A phone call to Grizzly would be a good idea.

Jeff...

[DrDudley]

I was also curious why the G6760 is 3350.00 I believe and the G3717 is 3295.00 . When you are essentially buying two machines with the 3717 and just a vertical mill with the 6760. I suspect there are issues with the 3717 that grizzly will possible say are corrected.
I will be able to do gears and the like with the 6760 won't I? I am going to retrofit it to CNC as soon as I purchase it.

What do you think?

[jalessi]

DrDudley,

If I only had the two Grizzly choices and need the horizontal capability's and Grizzly addressed the base flexing problem my choice would be the G3617

That said, if it where me I would look for a older used CNC machine and retrofit the drivers and electronics.

The older CNC already has the hard expensive work done IE "Ballscrews",
steppers and motor mounts.

That alone is going to save you between $2,000.00 and $3,000.00 on top of the cost of purchasing a standard mill.

In order to do gear work, add a fourth axis instead.

You should be able to find a used CNC mill for $2,500.00 or less that has good ballscrews.

Jeff...