jameslee1223 Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-X-36-Combination-Gunsmithing-Lathe-Mill/G0791?utm_campaign=zPage I was looking to buy the Grizzly G4003G gunsmithing lathe for my small shop. Space is limited so when I saw they had this, well it's tempting. It's the same as the lathe I was going to buy but it has a small milling attachment. Most of my milling will be 80% AR receivers and pistol slides. Does anyone have any experience with this machine or Grizzle lathes/mills in general? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 Hello: Buy a lathe and also buy a separate milling machine. You will be fighting which machine is setup for what operation so it is better to have individual machines. I have a small Grizzly lathe and it works very well for what I do with it. I had a big Monarch I sold years ago. I also have an old Bridgeport M head milling machine as well. Norton surface grinder and some other machines. Look around your local machine shops as some maybe selling off old machines they don't use any longer. Always buy a heavier machine than you think you will need. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonSnow Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 (edited) I have the G0791 and I like it. That said, there are definite limitations. Having to pull the compound slide off to put a mill vise on means that you'll spend a lot of time setting up for any precision work on either machine. Also, the cross slide will actually run into the mill head column, which limits your y-axis when milling to <5" in certain configurations. Also, there are interlocks that prevent you from running both heads at once, and all the power feeds are run off the lathe head, so you have no power feed when milling. The best way to think about the machine is a good lathe with an okay milling attachment. I'm very happy with mine but if I were to do it all over I'd spend the extra money and floor space for separate machines. If you're strapped for both; it's a decent compromise. Edited October 17, 2016 by JonSnow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIIID Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Multipurpose machines are a compromise , get separate machines the bigger the better. Check your area for companies that sell used machinery, be patient and get what you want. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Everyone who gets a combination machine soon regrets it. Grizzly makes decent products, but get separate machines for a little more money. You will be far ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38super Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Don't beat up the bearing, if the cutter chatters ease off. Typical bearings are automotive style, not a bad thing but expect a shorter replacement interval depending on use. Keep spindle and ways lubed, chinese cast iron is not mehanite. Be careful of loose lead screw nuts, causes the cutter to take a big bite and a potential sub orbital part. Bought a ShopTask 1720 in 92, still making parts. Built quite a few race guns for friends and self, including race holsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reshoot Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 Go with two separate machines. And, if you can swing it, DRO on the milling machine . . . gawd, is it ever nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPostman Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 19 hours ago, Reshoot said: Go with two separate machines. And, if you can swing it, DRO on the milling machine . . . gawd, is it ever nice! +1, you can get a good 3 axis DRO with glass scales on ebay for $350. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecoilJunkie Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Choose 2 separate machines. I have the 4003G w/ lots of tooling, 2 axis DRO, and its fully capable of lots of work. Get a nice large milling machine if you have the space for it. You'll thank yourself later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinj308 Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 I've got a G0704 mill, been very happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38super Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Get what you can afford and fits in your work area. My original workshop was the size of a king sized bed. Didn't stop me from making chips nor friends coming over to get ready for Saturday's match (NRG, SWPL, WEGC or LDF). Besides, the BS stories are priceless. Now have separate lathe and mill, also means parts of a project can occupy all three machines. Fair warning, tooling is usually a multiple of machinery cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
468shot Posted November 12, 2016 Share Posted November 12, 2016 All great advice. I will echo getting the separate lathe and mill. I'm far from a machinery expert, but looked and researched the topic deeply before purchasing. The grizzly lathe is a good bang for the buck and completely adequate for an entry level machine. You can pick up a small mill drill that won't take up much space and get you started doing small jobs. I ended up getting a new clausing 13x40 with an acu-rite dro installed and a grizzly G0704 until I can afford a good knee mill. My biggest regret is not getting the mill/drill with a DRO. Budget in a good chunk for tooling, it adds up quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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