heyth33
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« on: April 12, 2010, 11:06:39 AM » |
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Is it any good? http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-x-21-Mill-Drill/G0619 This will be my first mill. I don't know anything about mills or what to look for. I'm pretty much set on buying this unless someone can direct me to a better mill at a similar price point. Also what are some safety precautions when using a mill. Is their anything you should never do when operating a mill? |
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goober
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« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2010, 11:58:46 AM » |
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thats the X3 clone. great first mill. if you have space, power, and the means to move it, you may be able to get a used bridgeport clone for close to that price, but a benchtop like the X3 is probably a better choice to start off with. basic shop safety rules apply. wear eye pro, , no dangly hair, clothes, or jewelry, go slow and methodical. read up on basic techniques. work w/in the limits of your experience and the mill's capabilities.softer metal, medium size cutters are more forgiving while you are learning. practice on scrap. and have fun & post pix!!!  |
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TheOtherChris
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« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2010, 06:39:38 PM » |
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...Is their anything you should never do when operating a mill?
Drink |
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TheOtherChris
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JFettig
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« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2010, 04:21:12 AM » |
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it is an X3.
I have the one without the digital speed control and everything goober said about getting a bigger mill is right.
A friend of mine has that one and he hates the speed control thing because its not just an on and off, like mine is, you have to dial it in every time by the sounds of it.
Jon
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heyth33
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« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2010, 11:06:05 PM » |
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it is an X3.
I have the one without the digital speed control and everything goober said about getting a bigger mill is right.
A friend of mine has that one and he hates the speed control thing because its not just an on and off, like mine is, you have to dial it in every time by the sounds of it.
Jon
Hmmm... That doesn't sound good. Can anyone give some recommendations of end mills that will be needed to complete an AR lower? Maybe a kit of some sort? Is there certain types that only fit this specific mill? |
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goober
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« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2010, 12:08:23 AM » |
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Hmmm... That doesn't sound good. Can anyone give some recommendations of end mills that will be needed to complete an AR lower? Maybe a kit of some sort? Is there certain types that only fit this specific mill?
you mean an 80% lower? if so, the only milling to be done on current models is the FCG pocket, and that just needs a 7/16" or 3/8" EM, the rest is done w/ drill bits. do some reading here on this site; there are several threads that will help you. in particular, the threads and tutorials specific to the various jigs should be helpful. if you're talking about doing a 0% forging or starting from billet, i think you're a bit ahead of yourself. spend some time making chips on easier projects before you try to tackle something like that, if you're new to metalworking and machining. |
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heyth33
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« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2010, 11:50:24 AM » |
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goober
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« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2010, 12:17:48 PM » |
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the best thing you can do is read whatever tutorials you can find on doing what you want to do, both here and on other forums. note that ball end mills are only needed when you want to make a rounded cut. not needed anywhere on an AR 80% lower. you don't need carbide EM's to cut aluminum. HSS will do. unfortunately, there was a great thread here that discussed the end mills to use with a popular brand of jig (will work of course w/ the CNCGuns jig as well) but due to a dispute w/ the member in question, he has been banned here and his posts severely censored. i will say this: if you buy these, or 3- or 4-flute equivalents, you will be pretty much set (these are part numbers from MSC; watch the Hot Deals forum here for frequent discount codes): 01900240 $8.01 ea 2 Flute HSS Single End Mills for Aluminum Type: Regular Size: 3/8 Shank Diameter: 3/8 Length of Cut: 3/4 Overall Length: 2-1/2 Number of Flutes: 2 Material: HSS. 01901248 $9.49 ea 2 Flute HSS Single End Mills for Aluminum Type: Long Size: 3/8 Shank Diameter: 3/8 Length of Cut: 1-1/2 Overall Length: 3-1/4 Number of Flutes: 2 Material: HSS. 01900208 $7.93 ea 2 Flute HSS Single End Mills for Aluminum Type: Regular Size: 5/16 Shank Diameter: 3/8 Length of Cut: 3/4 Overall Length: 2-1/2 Number of Flutes: 2 Material: HSS. *Subtotal $25.43 you'll also want a 1/2" & maybe a 3/8" drill bit to hog out most of the FCG before using your EMs. see this thread over at Homegunsmith for more info |
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JFettig
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« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2010, 01:41:31 PM » |
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It sounds like you don't have much experience?
Do a lot of reading.
You will need longer end mills than normal for doing an AR lower, but not too long.
HSS is generally better on a manual mill cutting aluminum, very sharp HSS. They tend to have better geometry than cheap carbide end mills and you really need to push carbide to take advantage of it.
For 7000 series aluminum I prefer 4 flute and 2 flute for softer aluminum. 4 flute can work very well if you take the right chip load and not make chips melt by going too slow. I actually prefer 4 flute for all aluminum but for people who will be cutting too slow, 2 flute sometimes helps.
Jon
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couch
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« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2010, 01:45:02 PM » |
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The G0619 looks to be a great little mill. I've read nothing but good things about it, and about Grizzly in general; which is why I ordered a G0619 & G0602 on Thursday. The lathe is waiting for me at home as I type this. Truck dropped it off today. The mill is on back order until the end of the month Grizzly said. They will be shipping it out as soon as they get it. I'll be sure to post photos of everything once its all up and running.
Now I can finish my 1911!
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BLOWNZO6
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« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2010, 06:21:45 PM » |
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Have been reading this and other forums, have been considering a mill for some time and have decided on the G0619 with a Littlemachineshop DRO setup. Exchanged emails today with Grizzly and was told it would be about June 5th before any of them were in stock. Got an email today and it said June 18th, so I have some time to continue reading. I have several project I am anxious to get started on and I look forward to participating in the forum! |
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couch
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« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2010, 07:05:10 PM » |
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Have been reading this and other forums, have been considering a mill for some time and have decided on the G0619 with a Littlemachineshop DRO setup. Exchanged emails today with Grizzly and was told it would be about June 5th before any of them were in stock. Got an email today and it said June 18th, so I have some time to continue reading. I have several project I am anxious to get started on and I look forward to participating in the forum! I ordered mine a while back and it has been on backorder. Called yesterday and they told me the 14th of this month... |
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couch
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« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2010, 12:03:08 AM » |
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I just heard from Grizzly on Saturday morning that my G0619 shipped out on Friday. It should be here Thursday. I'll be sure to post up photos in this thread as well as any information/insight I have when it arrives.
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BLOWNZO6
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« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2010, 08:02:18 PM » |
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Ended up getting my mill about two weeks earlier than they originally said. I have uncrated it and placed it, but have not even prepped it or done the break in. Have 10 things going at once...  Ordered the DRO setup from Littlemachineshop and that should be here in another week, thought I would just get it going at one. I also ordered one of Grizzly's 14" floor model drill presses and I have to say for he money I am very impressed with what I have so far. I also purchased a lot of accessories from them for the mill and I am very happy with everything I have so far. Nick |
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couch
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« Reply #15 on: June 18, 2010, 10:33:36 PM » |
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I've been meaning to get mine posted up in here. I need to take some new photos.
Tomorrow I may buy an aluminum plate for the table and make a tooling plate. As of right now I'll be using my 5" Glacern vice and my Sherline CNC Rotary table, and that's about it. Covering the table will slightly reduce the Z but I like things as clean as possible.
I'm lagging on tooling this thing up. I still don't have any R8 Collets.
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Mad Machinist
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« Reply #16 on: July 26, 2010, 01:58:35 PM » |
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...Is their anything you should never do when operating a mill?
Drink Use an end mill in a drill chuck..... |
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wendellgj
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« Reply #17 on: July 26, 2010, 05:06:42 PM » |
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I have three safety type suggestions: Always remove chuck key, some are spring loaded and push themselves out, never sweep hand/fingers across metals or tooling so use a good quality parts brush, and long beards also become wrapped up real fast. Practice good safety habits and they will become second nature. WGJ
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