[mattbesquare]

The guy in Germany who owns the laser shop that produces the column support won't ship to the USA. He's worried about getting sued or some such nonsense, at least he was about four months ago when I tried to order one. (shipping it would have been kinda costly though) Rigging up something like it wouldn't be that terribly difficult, the only thing I didn't like about the design is the need to weld it on site. Someone with a Wabeco mill did something similar, more compact, that didn't require welding on site, instead it uses an adjusting strip between the brace and the column avoiding the problems of a direct connection. I'm pretty much satisfied with the mill stock, but am always open to getting more capacity as long as it doesn't require me trying to move another whole machine again!

I know a couple of shops that would cut the pieces. And may be able to use one of my school welders to assemble. Would you want one if i had it cut out?

[hoss2006]

The guy in Germany who owns the laser shop that produces the column support won't ship to the USA. He's worried about getting sued or some such nonsense, at least he was about four months ago when I tried to order one. (shipping it would have been kinda costly though) Rigging up something like it wouldn't be that terribly difficult, the only thing I didn't like about the design is the need to weld it on site. Someone with a Wabeco mill did something similar, more compact, that didn't require welding on site, instead it uses an adjusting strip between the brace and the column avoiding the problems of a direct connection. I'm pretty much satisfied with the mill stock, but am always open to getting more capacity as long as it doesn't require me trying to move another whole machine again!

Ah pity, I bet a complete bolt on kit would be more popular anyway. Not everyone has a welder.
Don't think I'd bother with it either, the mill will be heavy enough for my cart as is.
Hoss

[Teyber12]

if i were starting all over again id go straight for the rong fu clone (mwt). Just something to think about for people who havn't been charged yet. I didn't realize how small the price difference between the x3/g0704 and the rong fu 45 clones were..

[ihavenofish]

if i were starting all over again id go straight for the rong fu clone (mwt). Just something to think about for people who havn't been charged yet. I didn't realize how small the price difference between the x3/g0704 and the rong fu 45 clones were..

a good quality rf45 is nearly 2 times the price i thought. more importantly its 3-4 times the weight, which makes is a nogo for many people. i think the photos and the big travel decieve one into thinking its a hefty machine in the same class as the RF.

i find that theres a sweet spot for the "ideal" hobby machine. the rf45 is too big. making any mods to the rf45 is a large endeavor. you cant lift any parts alone, you cant machine parts without an even bigger machine, all the screws and motors need to be bigger and more expensive, etc. the reason i dont have a shiny new haas dt-1 vmc isnt for lack of money, its because its not practical for me to have at this point. i think that goes for a large portion of people looking at this grizzly model vs other larger ones.

if you look at the up til now 2 most popular conversions, the x2 and x3, they sit at the "just big enough to be useful, just small enough to be managable" point.

[madbee]

ihavenofish, I agree 100% as I am sure most of the smaller-time hobbyist do. The #1 selection criteria for me this time was weight. I briefly had a ShopTask years ago and I believe it weighted roughly ~700 lbs. What a nightmare trying to move it! Once I had some professional house mover's help me and even though I warned them of the extreme weight, they tried to muscle it around [completely assembled] and it nearly fell on one of them. My fault for letting them take charge [I was still young]. Luckily, no one was hurt....except for the machine. Anyhow, for a hobby, it's not worth it for me. BTW, I too considered the Rong Fu type machines and also thought the small price difference would have been worth it....but had to pass due to my prior experience. The 8x lathe and G0704 are just right. Maybe if I had the room and a fork-lift, I would be leaning in the directon of a Rong Fu.

[hoss2006]

Well my G0704 is ON THE WAY!!
My credit card was charged and grizzly sent my tracking info,
it's half way here right now, I should have it Friday or better Monday.
I got LOTS of snow to dig out to get it on/off the truck.
CRAP
Hoss

[Enraged]

can't wait to see your progress! will you have plans available for the parts like you did for the X2?

[hoss2006]

can't wait to see your progress! will you have plans available for the parts like you did for the X2?

Sure thing.

[photomankc]

Well,
I'll be following along Hoss. Just placed my order but was given March 31st so who knows. After spending some time looking at where I stood with the X2 I think it's going to go to EBay. It's got a couple of problems I don't really want to deal with fixing so I think I'll use my HF exchange and sell the crated replacement and use the proceeds to offset this.

I'm actually hoping like you that mine is a little further down the back-order list.

[hoss2006]

I'm thinking that if the trucking Co that brings it to town calls to schedule a Fri. delivery,
I'll ask them to put it off till Mon.
More time to deal with this.
Hoss

[TerraWombat]

I'm thinking that if the trucking Co that brings it to town calls to schedule a Fri. delivery,
I'll ask them to put it off till Mon.
More time to deal with this.
Hoss

You know if you push it off until Monday, you'll be chomping at the bit all weekend!

[ihavenofish]

so much for march 25! i wonder if its just people who ordered later are getting the later delivery date?

[Enraged]

I ordered on Jan 27 and was told Feb 22, and now pushed back 2 weeks.

[ihavenofish]

I ordered on Jan 27 and was told Feb 22, and now pushed back 2 weeks.

did you get a shipping quote yet?

[Enraged]

No, they said once the mill comes in, I will get the shipping quote, and I would have 10 days to remit payment, or the order gets cancelled.

[hoss2006]

They probably only ordered a handful of machines in the first batch to test the waters.
With all these different shipping date quotes, they must be importing very small batches.
Don't want to be stuck with a bunch of inventory come audit time.
Hoss

[madbee]

Hoss, I ordered mine on Jan 5th, and called yesterday, was told March 31. I believe you ordered on the 6th? (according to your web page)? If so, they might be giving priority to established customers. Either way, it's all good. I would rather have someone that knows what they are doing look at this thing first. Can't wait to see what you think.

[hoss2006]

Hoss, I ordered mine on Jan 5th, and called yesterday, was told March 31. I believe you ordered on the 6th? (according to your web page)? If so, they might be giving priority to established customers. Either way, it's all good. I would rather have someone that knows what they are doing look at this thing first. Can't wait to see what you think.

I actually ordered on the 5th as well, may have just beat you by a nose to the last one available.
I didn't update the website till the 6th. My days run together with the hours I work.
Hoss

[mattbesquare]

Spoke with Grizzly this morning, he said shipment is arriving next week-I should expect mine the week after.

[dsdmax]

Glad to hear that orders are being completed ... i got a little excited and called but my date is still the same. March 10th... i can wait ... still getting familiar with my new lathe (g0602) so i have time... though its fustrating because there is plenty i want to do that i need a mill for. I am going to build one of those Kozo steam engines (figure it will be a great way to learn). There are only so many wheels that have to be built.

Looking forward seeing what mods you guys come up with!!! - hopefully i can learn enough to try and CNC conversion along the way. Probably start with the lathe first - that would be the easier of the two - correct?