Mini Mill Comparison

[ZNiner]

Looking at getting a mini mill to fart around with in the garage. I want some perspective from folks to figure out if I really need the more pricy machines or if the HF mill will do. Also if the cost difference between the Grizzly and LMS machine is worth it.

LMS HiTorque 3990

https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3990&category=1387807683

Pros:

Solid Column, belt drive.

Cons:

More $$$ when including shipping.

Grizzly G0781

http://www.grizzly.com/products/4-x-18-3-4-HP-Mill-Drill/G0781

Pros:

More powerful motor.
Less $$$.

Cons:

Tilting column not as stiff

Habor Freight X2

My final thought is just grabbing the Harbor Freight X2 upgrading to belt drive and Air spring column. Since I am just looking for something to fart around with this will cover 99% of my needs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/two-speed-variable-bench-mill-drill-machine-44991.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link

Pros:

Lower $$$
Upgrade parts to make it into an overall better machine

Cons:

Smaller

Any other thoughts/opinions/perspectives on which would be the better overall machine and better overall value?

[drew222]

Wait for the lms to go on sale. I bought the harbor freight for 400 with 25% off coupon, and air spring etc. Then a couple weeks later, the lms went on sale for around 500 irc. Would have been worth it for the larger table, solid column etc

[ZNiner]

The $175 shipping makes me hesitate to go the LMS route.

[762x39]

Here is some good info on the mini mills

http://www.gunco.net/forums/183-tool-shed/71891-sieg-x2-mini-mill.html

[toddh]

You got 13 pages to search through.
This has been discussed more than a few times.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/search.php?searchid=51099544

.

[liber]

The LMS includes their gear upgrade that adds a belt to the drive, as best I can tell. That is something you would want on the Grizzly mini-mill, that is not included. That replaces the plastic drive gears on the spindle.

I know the Grizzly looks cheaper, they I would trust LMS in this case, despite what others have said in this thread.

Used to be the Grizzly had a 3MT spindle and the HF model (before LMS started to sell them themselves) had an R8. The Grizzly now has an R8 spindle, and the LMS does as well.

I would look for something else, but if you can't afford the time to look around to find a decent used mill, and are not comfortable doing that, the LMS is a wiser choice in this case...just my $0.02...

[762x39]

Used to be the Grizzly had a 3MT spindle and the HF model (before LMS started to sell them themselves) had an R8. The Grizzly now has an R8 spindle, and the LMS does as well.

When did Grizzly update their X2 model to an R-8 collet? Their website still shows it as having the same (less desirable) MT-3 collet that it always has.

[ZNiner]

Thanks for the feedback all. I forked over the extra cash and ordered the LMS HiTorque machine today. Buy once, cry once.

[liber]

When did Grizzly update their X2 model to an R-8 collet? Their website still shows it as having the same (less desirable) MT-3 collet that it always has.

That model that was linked to above has an R8 on it. Ah, it's a slightly different machine.

[John Galt]

I have a harbor freight. With all the upgrades i have done I should have just bought the LMS. Its good little mill. If I were to do it over thats what I would get.

[grymster]

Good. I would have went with the LMS also. Now you need tooling, DRO's, etc. Get a good little vise for that thing. Not much worse than trying to work with a crappy vise, and it's somtheing most people use a lot.

[Scota4570]

I would never own a "mini" milling machine. They are not capable of precision work.

Get a real mill, they are not expensive for an old full sized Bridgeport or other real machine.

You don't need a DRO, especially on a flimsy hobby machine. It is not even desireable. The hand wheels have marks on them that indicate where you are.

The DRO does not take into account of backlash in the leed screws. When you try a cut on the sloop side of the leed screw and the tool is turing the wrong way you climb mill right over the part. You then have a junk part.

Bottom line, get a real machine and learn how to use it. Toy machines and electronic gimmicks does not a machinist make.

[Germz]

tagged for later

[grymster]

I would never own a "mini" milling machine. They are not capable of precision work.

Get a real mill, they are not expensive for an old full sized Bridgeport or other real machine.

You don't need a DRO, especially on a flimsy hobby machine. It is not even desireable. The hand wheels have marks on them that indicate where you are.

The DRO does not take into account of backlash in the leed screws. When you try a cut on the sloop side of the leed screw and the tool is turing the wrong way you climb mill right over the part. You then have a junk part.

Bottom line, get a real machine and learn how to use it. Toy machines and electronic gimmicks does not a machinist make.

[xfer42]

I went with the slightly larger X3, then converted to CNC. Here it is in action: