Official Luthiers Forum!

Rich, Yes, that's a very low amperage for cut-out, especially since Grizzly says it's capable of 4.5A. And surprising since universal motors aren't even that expensive to make at higher HP. Sounds like this machine was designed to hit a price point, and they cut whatever they could to hit it.

Yeah, those "max developed" power ratings are funny. I didn't know that about them raising the HP sticker numbers without changing the motor!

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David Malicky

Another thought is to get a mill with enough travel to handle the length of a fretboard at least.
Even if you're building a template or fixture seems like having that length would be good.

If I was asked to design the ideal "wood-mill" for an instrument builder it would.........
Be lightweight yet rigid.
Have at least 24" X travel and 18" Y travel.
Have a horizontal spindle as well as vertical.
Digital readouts on all three axes.
Power feed on at least X axis.
Variable speed from zero to 5000 RPM with constant torque.
Oh, and it would sell for <$500.
Nelson

I have been surprised that this topic doesnt come up more often. I have the Harbor Freight minimill (one step up from what they call the "micro mill"). I have had it for about 7 years now... I love it, I know it has paid for itself with all the tooling, fixtures, clamps, rotary sanding station that I have built with it and used it on. I run the safety planer on it all the time. Just used it last week to shape some neck and tail blocks from rough stock. I plan on making a bridge or two with it this winter for the first time.

I had originally bought it for working on motorcycle parts so mine gets dual use. Sure I would like a bridgeport and will get one someday, but I would still keep the mini mill around for small jobs.

A tip I learned early on, keep bits that you use on wood and metal seperate - so the wood bits stay good and sharp.

Sold! Nelson, I will pm you my address for shipping.

Seriously, thanks for everyone's input. I really appreciate (I am sure everyone else does too) all the information and experience. After some more research I found this machine, sold by a company not too far from where I grew up:

http://www.ihcnc.com/pages/bed-mill.php

Currently this machine is not in my price range, especially with the motor upgrade, but it looks like something worth holding out a bit longer for. I may get a cheaper mini mill to hold me over and if I do I will report on my experiences with it.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

Not cheap but that is a nice looking machine. I'd love to have one of those with the 3-axis DRO on my bench!

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"