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Need advice on 80% lower

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  • #1
    fortdick
    Member
    • Dec 2011
    • 211

    Need advice on 80% lower

    Thanks for looking and hopefully y'all can give me some advice.

    I picked up a couple paperweights while they were still reasonably priced and now have to get to finishing them off. I have read all the tutorials I can find and feel I can manage this without fecking it up too much. What I can't decide on is whether I would be better off starting with my drill press, or going ahead and getting a mini mill to do the work.

    I have an old Craftsman floor drill press with a 2/3 HP motor, speeds up to 3600 rpm. Reading the how to's, I figure it would be necessary to add a milling vise to my drill press for best results. I would have to buy a jig to make it all do'able. That gets me into the $350 range without end mills and what-nots.

    For around $600 I can get an X2 mini mill, or an X3 for about a grand. Either would perform the job without the need for a jig. I would still be more comfortable using a jig for the hole drilling, but the FCP would be easy without a jig. Plus, I can later upgrade the mill to a CNC machine and start working with blanks to make my own paperweights. I just don't know if an X2 is adequate or if I would need an X3 to mill from a blank.

    Then there is the whole software stuff which I don't want to go into now.

    Anyone out there have any advice which way to go? I want to know if I am missing something that would help make up my mind.

    Here are some mills I am looking at:

    Grizzly G8689 - 4" x 16" Mini Milling Machine - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
    http://www.grizzly.com/products/Mini-Milling-Machine/G8689
    G8689 4" x 16" Mini Milling Machine An affordable and feature packed mill. The G8689 4" x 16" Mini Milling Machine will handle any kind of job up to 1/2" drilling, 1/2" end mills, and 1" facing. This mill features an MT#3 spindle taper, which only accepts MT#3 collets. The variable-speed control and gear drive saves you time and hassle. The G8689 has two speed ranges: low range is 0–1100, high range is 0–2500 RPM. Spindle height on this mill is controlled by two methods. The rapid downfeed works similar to a drill press. The micro downfeed will allow you to make adjustments to 0.001". One full revolution is 0.060". The headstock can be adjusted up and down the column and tilted 45° left or right relative to the table. The limit block can be set when you want to limit the amount of head travel. Repeated hole drilling of the same depth is a perfect use for this feature. Like all of the Grizzly Mills, the G8689 comes with a 1-year warranty covering parts and assuring the unit is free from factory defects. (Consumables are not covered by the warranty.) The G8689 manual was written by our U.S. based Technical Documentation Department and is packed with useful information. The complete and easy-to-read manual makes it easier to assemble and maintain your mill drill. The Grizzly Customer Service and Technical Support Teams are U.S. based. Parts and accessories for the mill may be available online and shipped from the Grizzly parts warehouse in Springfield, MO. Made in an ISO 9001 factory SPECIFICATIONS: Motor: 350W, 110V, single-phase, 4.5A Spindle taper: MT #3 Spindle speeds: Variable, 0–2500 RPM Maximum distance spindle to table: 11-1/2" Max distance spindle-to-column: 6-3/8" Table size: 3-5/8" x 15-3/4" T-slots: 3 @ 1-1/8" centers, 7/16" wide Table travel (longitudinal): 7-5/16" Table travel (cross): 4" Head travel: 7-1/2" Head tilt: 45° L/R Drilling capacity: 1/2" mild steel End milling capacity: 1/2" Face milling capacity: 1" Overall size: 20" W x 20" D x 30-1/4" H Approximate shipping weight: 149 lbs. FEATURES: Two speed ranges on geared drive Spring head return Safety shut-off switch Adjustable depth stop Fine feed head control Clear guard on spindle Rubber chip guards on ways Zero-setting dials Adjustable dovetail ways on column INCLUDES: 3/8" and 1/2" collets 1/2" drill chuck Two T-nuts


    Access to this page has been denied
    http://www.harborfreight.com/two-speed-variable-bench-mill-drill-machine-44991.html
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    http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3960&category=1387807683


    Am I out of my mind or is this something that may be worth going all out for?

    thanks again,

    Dan
    Tags: None
    • #2
      eyestothesky
      Member
      • Jun 2011
      • 116
      For $50-$60 per lower, you could probably join a build party or find someone with a CNC machine to do the milling in your general area. Unless this is something you are going to be doing a lot of, or trying to make a business out of in an already competitive market, I'm not sure it's worth dropping $600-$1000 on equipment.
      The difference between treason and patriotism is only a matter of dates.

        Comment

        • #3
          AVID HUNTER
          Member
          • Dec 2011
          • 372
          Originally posted by eyestothesky
          For $50-$60 per lower, you could probably join a build party or find someone with a CNC machine to do the milling in your general area. Unless this is something you are going to be doing a lot of, or trying to make a business out of in an already competitive market, I'm not sure it's worth dropping $600-$1000 on equipment.
          X1000, save your money as you want that lower to be precise. Contact Jimi on here if you want your lower to be perfect!
          A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

            Comment

            • #4
              fortdick
              Member
              • Dec 2011
              • 211
              I would love to attend a build party, but I am in Del Norte county, about 425 miles north of San Fran. Not much in the way of machine shops nearby.

                Comment

                • #5
                  fortdick
                  Member
                  • Dec 2011
                  • 211
                  Originally posted by AVID HUNTER
                  X1000, save your money as you want that lower to be precise. Contact Jimi on here if you want your lower to be perfect!
                  Not sure Jimi would be able to help me. San Diego is quite a ways away.

                    Comment

                    • #6
                      yari
                      Senior Member
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 908
                      Save your money!!! I bought an x2 with the dream of cncing it as well. Not worth it. Save for a good Cnc mill of you are serious.

                        Comment

                        • #7
                          fortdick
                          Member
                          • Dec 2011
                          • 211
                          Originally posted by yari
                          Save your money!!! I bought an x2 with the dream of cncing it as well. Not worth it. Save for a good Cnc mill of you are serious.
                          Good tip, thank you

                            Comment

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