Do any of you have experience with this brand of machinery (Grizzly)? I am looking at a mill and a lathe. I don't want junk but, at the same time I don't need top of the line. Atlas, Enco, MSC, Smithy, etc.. all seem to be in the same price range and about the same quality. It seems none of them are cast and built here in the US all seem to be from over seas and "assembled" here. I'm also looking at a foot/stomp shear. Does anyone know of a place withing driving distance (Northern CA - Western Nevada) that might have good used equipment? Shipping for items like this is very expensive.

Royce:
I've used a Grizzly brand Band Saw (12~16"?) before - seemed like a decent piece of equipment. Don't remember anything about problems with blade retention or other things being a problem with it.

The only surplus/used/new equipment place I know of in your kneck of the woods is Scott Machinery - http://www.scottmachinery.com/
I think there site has a list of equipment on it.

I have delt with two of the major dealers in So CA for used equipment in the past;
- Wheeler ( http://www.wheelermachinery.com/ ) is by far the biggest and had a huge inventory of equipment in their warehouse.
- West Valley Tool ( http://www.westvalleytool.com/ ) also had a large inventory and decent pricing. They were often a bidder for tooling and machines excessed at GMAD in Van Nuys.

Hope this helps - I'll also try to quiz a couple friends that are in local large industrial maintenance and see if they have a good local sources.

John M

A friend of mine uses Grizzly woodworking equipment (huge table saw and planer) and has been very happy. He says its good quality and max bang for the buck.

It's a big step above Harbor Freight. Decent to good quality stuff.

But honestly, for a good mill, I'd rather buy a used Bridgeport...

Thanks for the info guys. The reason I mentioned Grizzly is because there is a guy selling off his lathe and mill (both Grizzly) and both almost new for a very fair price. They are within driving distance and I could load them both in one trip. He is moving and has to get rid of the machines. Of course it would be nice to have a LeBlond Lathe and a Bridgeport mill but, my last name is Bradley not Rockerfeller or Gates.

John,
I will plan a trip up to Scott Machinery. If you hear of anyone selling off their stuff let me know. Space is very limited so I don't want huge machines but, I would rather have floor models than bench top. There is always room for more tools, LOL.

Matt,
I agree I would love to have a Bridgeport mill and I will jump on one if I can find one for a decent price. It doesn't make sense for me to spend $6,000 -10K on a used mill alone. It is for my home and personal use. I won't be making parts for the space shuttle so, I have to be willing to trade some quality for less money.

Royce, Have you checked craigslist?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/193091958.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/194641713.html

I check CL several times a day. I actually called on both the ads you posted. The shear was gone in a matter of minutes. I called less than 40 minutes after it was posted and it was gone. The lathes were all sold except the one that needs parts.

I do have a line on a lathe and mill, with tooling and some stock for $4100 for everything. Those are the Grizzly machines, which is why I started this post. Both are floor models the lathe is 12" X 36" which is about the right size and the mill is the right size and has power feed. I can get it all for $3800 without the extras.

I am leaning heavily on this deal. I will continue to look for the rest of the day and maybe see if I can make a little better deal with this guy ($3800 for everything) and I will probably do it.

Royce:
The Grizzly package you found is sounding like a good deal :thumbsup:
Truthfully, as much as I like Bridgeport equipment, I've worked on few of them that were real 'piles'. Many of the older ones on the market have been through a few hands and moved and handled in less than professional ways. A couple of them friends picked up took me hours to get releveled and the ways true and square to the to the collet spindle. They are very precision pieces of equipment - these just weren't maintained and treated correctly.
The power requirements can be overlooked by many when buying one also. Bridgeports take a special drive motor mount and the majority of them available are 220/240-3ph. 3-Phase isn't something you find in a lot of residencial neighborhoods ...
Let me know if you need any help setting it up.
Oh, and if you need, I have my box of tooling setting by the door to help you try it out :D
You friend with #5 collets;
John

Very true about 3-phase power. Almost all if not all the Bridgeports I looked at were 3phase. There are ways around it but, not something I want to deal with. You know you will be more than welcome to use the machines anytime. Knowing you you have access to machines a lot closer to you than I am. Once I make a decision I just might take you up on the offer to set them up. I think you met my neighbor Jim, he has a lathe and mill, smaller than what I am looking at. He actually taught me everything I know about machine work (which isn't a lot). I also have a couple friends that are machinists. The more I look at it the more I like the deal on the Grizzly machines. I haven't heard anything bad yet, so I assume they are not total junk. The price is right as well as the size.

i work in a cabinet shop that uses Grizzly equipment and some stuff is OK but is not what i would spend my own money on, you get what you pay for.
We replace motors frequently on the grizzly stuff.
The quality should be alright for occasional use.

geterdone, How about a few more details. You work in a professional shop, did your shop by commercial or professional grade machines? I spent a long time doing field service on different equipment and "usually" when a product is being bashed or not reliable, it's because they are over working it. If you are replacing motors all the time is it because they are worn out? When you replace them do you buy the same motor or do you upgrade?

I probably wouldn't buy these machines for a professional shop but, I am talking about my own personal use in my garage. Would you not recommend them for that either? Do you know of a machine in or near the same price range that is better? I am open to all input before I lay out the hard earned green backs. I am sure I will use them fairly often, I like to tinker and build things. They will no way be used for production work.

My dad has a nice mid-sized Grizzly milling machine and lathe I use quite often. When he got these in new several years ago, we accidentally turned the lathe over and broke several parts on...and a few of them were good sized pieces. Grizzly sent us all the parts we needed to repair our mistake for free...and we even told them it was our fault...it's hard to find customer service like that from any company these days.
I use the lathe and mill all the time...I really think they are good quality for the money.

... They will no way be used for production work.

Now come on Royce :rolleyes:
You and I have both talked about trying to fiqure out how to make a living doing this full time :D

John

I have a Grizzley table saw that I bought around 85 and it still works great. Have made a housefull of valuable Koa furniture.

Gambitt and smiller, thanks for the input. That is the type of real world and pratical info I need.

John,
I would love to design something unique and useful. I have a few ideas in my head. Even at that I think I would just sell my idea/design. You are not supposed to read between the lines, lol. There is a reason I want/need these machines.

Well I passed up on the deal with the used lathe and mill but, I went ahead and ordered a new lathe and mill. I did quite a bit of research and talked to a few machinists. With that info I went ahead and bought Grizzly machines they are about the best out there in my price range. I have a little over $5K for both machines with shipping. I looked at several used machines and a few Bridgeports but, all the Bridgeports were 3 phase (and very old and used). Once I get them and test them out I will give an honest opinion good or bad of them.

geterdone, How about a few more details. You work in a professional shop, did your shop by commercial or professional grade machines? I spent a long time doing field service on different equipment and "usually" when a product is being bashed or not reliable, it's because they are over working it. If you are replacing motors all the time is it because they are worn out? When you replace them do you buy the same motor or do you upgrade?

I probably wouldn't buy these machines for a professional shop but, I am talking about my own personal use in my garage. Would you not recommend them for that either? Do you know of a machine in or near the same price range that is better? I am open to all input before I lay out the hard earned green backs. I am sure I will use them fairly often, I like to tinker and build things. They will no way be used for production work.

for light to medium action id say you will be ok, we repalce motors on table saws and dust collectors more often than you would expect, the dust collectors see about 7 hrs use per day 5 days a week minimum.
the table saws on the other hand may see about 2 hrs total run time in a work day, its the cheap overseas motors that dont hold up.
we also have delta table saws in the shop that are 10 yrs + old and have never required and thing other that routine service.
this is a full time cabinet shop and the tools are not pushed beyond the normal expected usage.
of all my co workers only one would recommend the grizzly line ( he is a tight wad)
I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for and i always buy the best i can afford.
I have no experience with the grizzly mills and lathes, so i cant speak for there longevity of these pieces but for personal use they may last you a life time....

Joe

I didn't buy the cheapest machines they had. I stepped up quite a bit. Since I am an Industrial Electrician/Electronic Technician I won't have any problem "finding" good replacement motors if needed. You use your machines more in a month than I will in a year. These are for my personal use in my garage. If the motors are the only issue I can deal with that. I was ore concerned with the castings/quality. The motor issue will be the same with any offshore machine. Try finding any American made lathes or mills, I don't know if any are made here any more (I looked). I am talking in the size range I was looking for not huge machines. With the research I done it seems all are made over seas, some are "assembled here" (Grizzly is assembled here). Both machines have 2HP 220V motors which should be way oversized for what I need, that should help them last longer as well. Time will tell.

Thanks for the input.

This is the mill http://www.grizzly.com/products/G3616
This is the lathe http://www.grizzly.com/products/G9249

I'm sure they will hold up well for you.
Dont take my comments as to mean you are cheap, I'm sure anyone willing to buy and use this kind of equipment has done there research.
enjoy your new equipment, i know id love to have them in my own garage.

Joe

Joe,
I didn't take any of your input or comments in a negative way. I was honestly thanking you for your insight. I don't get offended that easily.