Subject: Help on Mills

From: Bob <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 05 May 1996 09:50:37 -0700

I would like some advice on purchasing a mill for home shop use.  I am new to 
this newsgroup so please excuse me if this is an old and thououghly hashed 
out subject.

I have two basic decisions to make, to buy an old (perhaps very old) domestic 
mill, preferable a bridgeport as that is what I am familiar with or to buy a 
new imported machine.  I have about $2k to $3k to spend on the machine and 
tooling.

I'm pretty familiar with the perils of used machines and frankly I would 
prefer not to buy one unless I knew it's history and mechanical condition.

In terms of new imported machines,  I have heard a fair amount about ENCO 
ranging from "pretty good" to "be careful".  I got a strong recomemdation 
about JET from a guy with experience and no ax to grind.  I curious about 
GRIZZLY as they advertise a lot.  I live out in the pukklebrush and don't 
have the option of visiting a store to feel the metal for myself.

Mechanically my preferences are for either a bench mount or short floor 
mount.  A bridgeport would require ceiling modifications.  I would like a 
power table feed and a power quill feed though the table feed may be a 
retrofit later when finances permit. 

I would like to hear not only from satisfied owners but also the horror 
stories.  Just looking at pictures I suspect that a lot of the machines are 
built in the same factories and given different nameplates.  Also service is 
important to the extent that it is required.

Lastly what is the difference between ENCO and EMCO?

Thanks in advance.

Bob Foncannon
[email-masked]

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From: Mike Rehmus <[email-masked]>
Date: 11 May 1996 17:24:40 GMT

Actually, I think I have seen a 15" lathe and
a mill at least as large as a Bridgeport at
the machinery show here in Silicon Valley.

The EMCO lathe was absolutely beautiful with
the DRO readouts built into the carriage as
I remember.

The mill was built more like a shaper with the table
hung off the front of the machine.

Best regards,

Mike Rehmus