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Mitsui Surface Grinders
- Thread starter drcoelho
- Start date
- Replies 11
- Views 4,284
sfriedberg
Diamond
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2010
- Location
- Oregon, USA
I only have one data point. My Mitsui 6x18 (MSG-205MH) is a nice machine, despite years in the previous owner's shop mostly cutting off mold ejector pins. An instance in like-new condition would be very fine indeed. Most maintenance parts are readily available in the US.
I like the ergonomics of the Mitsui design. The height adjust micrometer dial is down where 5'6" operator (me) can get at it and read it easily, instead of being mounted near the top of the column. X travel on roller bearings is truly finger-tip (or gravity if not leveled) sensitive. X travel lock is solid and fast/easy to use.
The lubrication system is total loss, and drains neatly into a large sump in the rear of the base. If you don't drain that stuff out before moving the machine after years of operation, it will slop aaaaallll over. DAMHIKT.
I like the ergonomics of the Mitsui design. The height adjust micrometer dial is down where 5'6" operator (me) can get at it and read it easily, instead of being mounted near the top of the column. X travel on roller bearings is truly finger-tip (or gravity if not leveled) sensitive. X travel lock is solid and fast/easy to use.
The lubrication system is total loss, and drains neatly into a large sump in the rear of the base. If you don't drain that stuff out before moving the machine after years of operation, it will slop aaaaallll over. DAMHIKT.
AD Design
Stainless
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2012
- Location
- Tennessee USA
I've used several on the job at various shops over the years. I didn't want to like the first one I used, being a resentful machine tool maker from America and all...., but I had to admit that it was a good grinder. Several places I worked had Mitsui's and Okamoto's that I used all day long. I've come to prefer them over the Boyar-Schultz and the lower end Harig's. Solid table/saddle stops/locks, smooth movement in all axis, balls/ways are replaceable, downfeed handle where I prefer it. I even bought one for my home shop. Beats any manual SG I've used except maybe a nice Parker Majestic (haven't used one).
Red James
Stainless
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2013
- Location
- Plainfield, Indiana, USA
Opinions are usually worth about what you paid for them, but I think Mitsui surface grinders are the best made.
William Ward
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2003
- Location
- Upland, California,USA
My 2 cents
We have 5 of them here, all with the .00005 per graduation fine feed attachments on Y and Z. Love'em. In even half way decent condition they are the nicest and easiest manual surface grinders I've ever used.
We have 5 of them here, all with the .00005 per graduation fine feed attachments on Y and Z. Love'em. In even half way decent condition they are the nicest and easiest manual surface grinders I've ever used.
implmex
Diamond
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2002
- Location
- Vancouver BC Canada
Hi drcoelho:
There was a very popular and very skilled past contributor to this forum who made indexers and rotary fixtures for high precision toolmaking.
His name was Ray Newbould (now sadly deceased): he ran Mitsui grinders and he did superb work on them.
Cheers
Marcus
Implant Mechanix • Design & Innovation > HOME
Vancouver Wire EDM -- Wire EDM Machining
There was a very popular and very skilled past contributor to this forum who made indexers and rotary fixtures for high precision toolmaking.
His name was Ray Newbould (now sadly deceased): he ran Mitsui grinders and he did superb work on them.
Cheers
Marcus
Implant Mechanix • Design & Innovation > HOME
Vancouver Wire EDM -- Wire EDM Machining
Modelman
Titanium
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2007
- Location
- Northern Illinois
I can't really add anything to what others have said, other than I've had one for years that came out of a big tool shop, and it's been trouble free. I love it, especially the positioning of the down feed hand wheel. Pay attention to the comment about the way oil sump... he's not the only one who found out the hard way.
Dennis
Dennis
Lost in LA
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2005
- Location
- Los Angeles
I have a Mitsui 6 x 12 that was purchased used. It is 20 years old and is accurate to .0001/.0002
Parts are still available.
Check this out--I like this guy:
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...needs-repair-314136/?highlight=mitsui+grinder
Lost
Parts are still available.
Check this out--I like this guy:
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...needs-repair-314136/?highlight=mitsui+grinder
Lost
10 fingers
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2003
- Location
- Vermont
I have run and serviced the Mitsui 612 manual grinders. Very well made and accurate. Like better than any US made equivalent. Being a ball type roller way grinder, table must be removed to transport.
gwbolton
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2011
- Location
- California
40+ years as a tool and diemaker and I have probably used every brand of surface grinders out there. Mitsui is by far, the best grinder I have ever used.
michiganbuck
Diamond
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Location
- Mt Clemens, Michigan 48035
Mitsui smaller machine are very good. If I designed this machine I would have added a felt seal at the gap between the long travel and the saddle... agree many/most grinders have this problem with grinding grits bouncing off the column and getting into the balls/rollers area.
As I have mentioned I use a strip of masking tape to cover that opening on new machine or after a cleaning..
Mitsuis are so easy to pull the long travel top I think that should be done every two years for a cleaning.
Personally I like a scraped iron oil bed ways the best but it is getting harder to find such except for having an older machine re scraped.
Another thing about ball and roller machines is that a very free running long travel tends to pull the table forward at the start of a climb grinding pass so causing more heat on thet side of the part..
Agree the Mitusi with a tight long travel feed strap one can control the lead-in on the climb side.
As I have mentioned I use a strip of masking tape to cover that opening on new machine or after a cleaning..
Mitsuis are so easy to pull the long travel top I think that should be done every two years for a cleaning.
Personally I like a scraped iron oil bed ways the best but it is getting harder to find such except for having an older machine re scraped.
Another thing about ball and roller machines is that a very free running long travel tends to pull the table forward at the start of a climb grinding pass so causing more heat on thet side of the part..
Agree the Mitusi with a tight long travel feed strap one can control the lead-in on the climb side.
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