Workshop Addition - Mill

[propforward]

Hi folks!

I haven't been on the forum for quite a while. This is simply because once spring hits, my other pass time of motorcycling kicks in, and I spend the time riding around, rather than making swarf.

However, in readiness for the end of the year, I acquired a new machine tool, in the form of this Grizzly G0755 vertical mill. Naturally I wanted to show it off - so here goes.

It took me 7 hours of thinking, trying, testing, putzing, drinking tea, thinking and trying different combinations, to finally come up with the right arrangement. In the end, I had to purchase two shackles to get it done, but 12 bucks is not bad - if northern tool were closer I would likely have started throwing money at more lifting straps and so on.

But here we go:

Shoppe space cleared

 

Approaching the door



Rolling through - just clearing the top of the door



Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand...IN!



I thought the tough part was going to be rolling a 1200 pound machine over that threshold, but actually with that sheet of alumunium, although it buckled to crap, the hoist and machine rolled right over without damaging the threshold. :thumb

Then it was a matter of rolling it into position







Then getting the shoppe back in order



And then a some happy time cleaning the shipping rust preventive off the machine, and getting it lubed and shiny.



It still needs to be anchored down, so I have to move it again, but now I have that figured out, it's no problem. Plus I don't have the same height constraint to just move it a few feet in the shoppe.

I did fire it up - runs great. Haven't cut metal yet, but I have spent several happy hours cleaning off the shipping rust preventive coating, and cleaning and lubing everything. I also performed the running in procedure on the gear head, and changed the oil. With that done, it is ready to cut metal. I do need to obtain a milling vise and a few other things, which I shall do over the next month or so. Once fall is over and the nights draw in, the motorcycles will go into hibernation and I will be back on model engines - as well as some custom parts for the motorbikes.

Anyway, good to be back. Although I haven't been posting, I've been looking in and observing some of the goings on.

[b.lindsey]

Welcome back Prop, and what a nice addition to the shop too. We will be expecting great things now over the winter from you

Bill

[steamer]

Niiiiiice!!!!....

Welcome Back!

Dave

[Don1966]

Nice Grizzly! Welcome back.

Don

[ths]

Gutsy looking beast, have fun with it!

Cheers, Hugh.

[Arbalest]

Nice mill! Those engine hoists come in handy don't they. I recently used one to split my knee mill into three parts for a house move. Sadly it's still in three bits ...

[propforward]

Thanks fellas. I'm looking forward to cutting metal with it.

That engine hoist has paid for itself many times over. A very handy piece of kit to have around.

[arnoldb]

Nice addition to the shop, Prop 

And I have to admit - I'm very envious now; not of the mill, but your shop in general...  So nice and clean and uncluttered...  Even the machinery comes in matching colours!

Is that a power feed you have on the Z axis of the mill? - The machine's pretty much the same as mine, but a power feed on Z would sure save a lot of heavy cranking.

Kind regards, Arnold

[propforward]

Thanks Arnold- a tidy shop is a happy shop I say. But then I say a lot of things - but I do like this space, it is nice and bright.

The mill does indeed have a polwer feed on the Z axis, and also on the X axis. It still has the manual crank for the Z axis, as back up, and that was very important for the move, as I had to reposition the gear head for lifting. The power feed is a really nice feature.

Today, I am looking at milling vises!

[Arbalest]

Even the machinery comes in matching colours!
Kind regards, Arnold

Yes I noticed that except the engine hoist clashes terribly with the Grizzly stuff...  not really, it's a nice contrast!

[propforward]

except the engine hoist clashes terribly with the Grizzly stuff.

It does! And because of that, it gets relegated to the shed. If it won't conform to the colour scheme, then it can jolly well stay out of sight. 

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Prop, great looking shop. So open and neat, which I think promotes productivity. If you need to keep the hoist in the shop I think Grizzly sells their equipment paint By the way some of the wall art looks pretty good also

Whiskey

[propforward]

Oh yes...........

I forget sometimes what can end up in the shot. Personally I think the P38 is a wonderful aeroplane.