Full Size Jeep Network

I'm looking to get a milling machine as I have a lot of small work I farm out to machine shops for my business and machine shops can be a real PITA to work with, especially when you're the little guy.

Somebody turned me onto this rig:
http://www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/pm-25mv/

Anyone have experience with this machine? Also one option is the "3 axis DRO" which I assume is the digital readout, is that worth it?

The first (and #1) task this machine will get used for is cutting keyways into 304SS axle shafts.

Grand,

I went to the link and ticked all the boxes to get a usable machine. $2,677.96. Not sure about where you live, but that budget would get a very very nice Bridgeport and leave room for delivery, too.

The DRO is mandatory, in my humble opinion. Only adds $500, I think, which is very reasonable for a 3 axis DRO. Whichever route you go, head over to YouTube and watch MrPete222, aka Tubalcain.

As for the Precision Matthews kit, I have heard nothing but good. No direct experience. I went with a used Bridgeport!

A word of warning; once you have a mill, a lathe is sure to follow. Used my lathe just yesterday!

Ray

Precision Matthews has a reputation for excellent customer service. Their machines are Asian imports, so they are built to a price, but PM seems to offer a good value. They seem popular with the hobby and small shop machining crowd. Read lots here: https://www.hobby-machinist.com/forums/ ... sored.172/

Mathews is a good machine. A fellow machinist I know has one. I have a Bridgeport. It was free but for the money the other is hard to beat.


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Looks like a nice machine if you don't have room for a Bridgeport. If you do have the space you can probably do better on a used one for similar money as was pointed out but don't forget to consider tooling costs. Often a used machine won't include tooling.

A horizontal mill is better for cutting keyways but is less versatile.

DRO is really nice but if you aren't going to use the machine for a lot of different jobs I don't know if it's worth 30% more.

How much room do you have?
Does your panel have enough room, how big a service?

Deffinately on the service. Single or 3 phase.


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Service should be no problem. My sixties vintage Bridgeport came with a 220v 3 phase motor that happily runs fed by a VFD that is plugged into a good 'ole 120V outlet. (A modern miracle - take 120V single phase and feed into a magic box that outputs 220V 3 phase!) I'll throw up a picture later.

Best regards,

Ray

Bigun, should be 100 amp, you've got a photo of my panel. No panel in the garage, just the 25FT extension cord of shame.

Where are you located? I'm getting to old to hang onto everything.... I have a J head Bridgeport with TONS of tooling
In North West Mi