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Old October 3, 2007, 12:18 PM   #1
Double J
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3 in 1 mill drill lathes

--I'm cramped for room and looking for another 3 in1 machine. Mostly for drilling gunstock thru- holes and light milling/ drilling. Who makes a dependable machine with at least a 32 in. between center lathe? I,d like to shy away from the imports. Thanks.
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Old October 3, 2007, 01:01 PM   #2
Scorch
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Smithy makes several sizes of lathe/mill combos.
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Old October 4, 2007, 08:24 AM   #3
Double J
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Smithy says their machines are made in China, and I'm gunshy of Chinese electrical products.
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Old October 4, 2007, 08:33 AM   #4
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Try to find a 9" South Bend. You can likely get one for about the same money as an import. Equipped with a milling attachment, it will do at least as well as a combo machine on milling. The lathe is accurate enough for serious barrel work, and parts are pretty readily available. They were made with various lengths of bed, but the 48" machines would be great for casual gunsmithing. $2000 should get you a well-tooled, good condition lathe, and you may be able to do much better if you can find one in a private sale.

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Old October 4, 2007, 12:45 PM   #5
Scorch
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You might be able to find a small althe and a small knee mill at a used equipment seller. Probably not cheap, though.
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Old October 4, 2007, 01:54 PM   #6
Slopemeno
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If anybody on the west coast is interested in a Bridgport Mill as well as a lathe on a surplus sale, PM me. Its a silent bid auction. It's in the SF bay area, and you would have to pick it up.
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Old October 5, 2007, 05:41 PM   #7
Harry Bonar
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mill/drill

Sir:
I don't recomend any mill/drill.
I have a Grizzly (chinese) 12X36 lathe, a sander and a new milling machine (Grizzly) and am very pleased with them. My 3 jaw chuck and workpiece in the lathe only runs out .0015, and the mill collet set run-out.000.
China makes their machines from U.S. military standards now.
I like Grizzly products - everything I've bought from them is AOK!
Harry B.
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Old October 5, 2007, 07:10 PM   #8
Harry Bonar
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mill drill

Sir:
I just looked in my Grizzly catalog and they have a mill/drill with 39" between centers - Model G4791 for $2695. Looks like it ought to do your job.
1-800-523-4777
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Old October 7, 2007, 11:58 AM   #9
Double J
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--Thanks for the info. I'll check on the Griz. The length sounds good.
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