Mill Drill Brand Name

Geico266 · #1 11-09-2008, 06:35 AM

Anyone own / recommend a mill drill?

I'm looking into one for the shop. I would use it for the airplane build of course, but mostly for repairs around the ol farmstead (and hanger). I'm looking at an Enco, Jet, or Grizzly. Anyone have any history with these brands? I've used Enco stuff before.

Can anyone recommend a brand? What features you like? Automatic feed? etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

rv9aviator · #2 11-09-2008, 06:52 AM

Sent you a PM

rocketbob · #3 11-09-2008, 07:01 AM

Hi Larry,

I have one and they're all made by one Chinese outfit called Rong-Fu. Mine is a RF-30. I picked mine up used (barely) for $400, it originally was purchased from a local machine tool co. called Wholesale Tool www.wttool.com. I also have a Bridgeport Series 1 CNC and two lathes.

I can't get enough of this stuff.

Mine's got a 2hp and 30" table, and is suprisingly accurate, within a tenth across the table. But if taking heavy cuts on steel the table needs to be locked down because the screws have a bit of lash.

If you get a new one you might be $2500+ in the hole if you get a digitial readout, vise, stand, etc. Might be better off looking for a used Bridgeport locally that may have this stuff included.

Geico266 · #4 11-09-2008, 07:05 AM

Thanks for the replies!

Bob, how do you run 3 phase electrical in a residential setting? I would love an old Bridgeport, but they are 3 phase.

rv9aviator · #5 11-09-2008, 07:14 AM

I agree with you about the Rong Fu mill. I make my living in a machine shop and am buying a Rong Fu mill for my airplane factory

because it is small and can moved much easier than a Bridgeport style machine. I would buy a good used Bridgeport size machine if the weight and size are no problem. You can do a lot more with a full size mill. You should be able to get a used full size mill for $3,000. Another plus about the a small mill is it can run on single phase power, but a phase converter is easy to set up as well. My whole machine shop runs on rotary phase converters.

noelf · #6 11-09-2008, 07:23 AM

Several companies have phase converter solutions...some are even affordable. They take in 1-phase voltage and output 3-phase voltage.

One of the items you need to know about the equipment you want to power is (other than voltage level) is it 3-phase Delta, or three-phase Wye?

Google search will throw up a number of companies, and if you add the "info" term in the search, you have more to choose from.

Also, a trip to the local magazine store will reveal power converter adds in the "machinist-type" monthlies.

rocketbob · #7 11-09-2008, 07:26 AM

I run the Bridgeport on a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD). The one on the BP is a Hitachi:

http://www.driveswarehouse.com/Drive...0-022NFU2.html

It takes single phase and converts to three phase for the motor, and as an added benefit, gives you speed control with no loss of torque. I used to have a rotary phase converter I made out of a 10hp electric motor, but with the VFD its no longer necessary.

Geico266 · #8 11-09-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketbob

Hi Larry,

I have one and they're all made by one Chinese outfit called Rong-Fu. Mine is a RF-30. I picked mine up used (barely) for $400, it originally was purchased from a local machine tool co. called Wholesale Tool www.wttool.com.

You stole that! Yikes!

I want one!

rv9aviator · #9 11-09-2008, 07:36 AM

I have a question for Bob. Will the VFD let you vary the spindle speed or is it just for converting single phase to three phase? I have looked into buying a VFD but is a large unit to run several machines on and costs $5,000.
Thanks

Edit: I guess I should have read the post and understood what I read. Sorry

rocketbob · #10 11-09-2008, 07:39 AM

If you keep an eye out on craigslist, you will eventually run into a BP Series one with a J head, which has pulleys and belts you have to manually change to change the speed. I think for simplicity the J head with a VFD is hard to beat. My CNC has a variable speed head with many more parts in the head, and I am just putting it back together now as part of a major overhaul.

There are many BP clones out there that are pretty good, just keep your eye on craigslist and you'll find one close eventually. Just have machinist go with you to look at it to make sure you don't get a machine that's got issues. A worn out machine can be gotten for cheaper, and likely for a home shop a worn machine usually is good enough.