Doc Hoy
Plastic
- Joined
- May 19, 2019
- Location
- Naples, FL
I will likely be pilloried for this comment. But I have been thrown out of some pretty good bars. (One specifically in Boston for insulting Ted Kennedy.)
I have had zero in the way of formal training in machine-work. The only things I know come from the scrap I produce and the reading I do.
I started using a milling machine about 20 years ago for gun-smithing, ship modelling and general stuff. I started with one then a second machine from Grizzly that were the combination mill and lathe. (translation, not much of a mill but don't worry because you also get not much of a lathe). I wound up with a Grizzly 10 x 22 lathe which I liked but I thought it wore out to quickly. Also had a "Wholesale Tools" 2 HP milling machine. I bought this machine for 400.00 and it was old (prolly made in about 1990)and loose. But I made it work. We moved to Naples, FL which meant that the machines had be replaced.
The Grizzly went by way of a South Bend. The Wholesale Tools 2 hp mill was replaced with a Central Machine 2 hp mill. This mill is a dead ringer for the Wholesale Tools job. It is about three years old and still in great shape. The last owner added a DRO.
When I was looking for a Mill I had just about decided on the Grizzly version of this mill. Would have come to 2200.00 delivered. I bought the Central Machine mill for 1,000.00 including the base, and the DRO.
I know that Central Machine stuff is limited in quality and not overly popular. But it seems like every tool distributor out there has a mill that is based upon this Platform.
I did some stuff with it today and I am satisfied. Prolly because I am not smart enough about milling and mills to recognize the limitations.
I'd be happy for your comments either way.
Tnx,
Doc
I have had zero in the way of formal training in machine-work. The only things I know come from the scrap I produce and the reading I do.
I started using a milling machine about 20 years ago for gun-smithing, ship modelling and general stuff. I started with one then a second machine from Grizzly that were the combination mill and lathe. (translation, not much of a mill but don't worry because you also get not much of a lathe). I wound up with a Grizzly 10 x 22 lathe which I liked but I thought it wore out to quickly. Also had a "Wholesale Tools" 2 HP milling machine. I bought this machine for 400.00 and it was old (prolly made in about 1990)and loose. But I made it work. We moved to Naples, FL which meant that the machines had be replaced.
The Grizzly went by way of a South Bend. The Wholesale Tools 2 hp mill was replaced with a Central Machine 2 hp mill. This mill is a dead ringer for the Wholesale Tools job. It is about three years old and still in great shape. The last owner added a DRO.
When I was looking for a Mill I had just about decided on the Grizzly version of this mill. Would have come to 2200.00 delivered. I bought the Central Machine mill for 1,000.00 including the base, and the DRO.
I know that Central Machine stuff is limited in quality and not overly popular. But it seems like every tool distributor out there has a mill that is based upon this Platform.
I did some stuff with it today and I am satisfied. Prolly because I am not smart enough about milling and mills to recognize the limitations.
I'd be happy for your comments either way.
Tnx,
Doc