[BuckingFastards]

Hello all,

I ordered a Grizzly G0704 mill about two weeks ago, after buying hoss plans etc. I then came here and started reading hoss thread, then a whole slew of other threads, some saying negative things about this mill.

After having read some of the negative reviews of this mill, with things like the motor stopped working after break-in and the ways not properly ground, I was very nervous about this mill being sent to me, especially since I do not live in the states, will not get to see the crate with the machine in it and the stand, and be able to reject it myself.

I just received the machine yesterday, and must say, with the mill having traveled over 1000 miles, there was not a single scratch on the crate, nor was there a single dent or scratch on the stand. I was highly impressed.

I quickly started stripping the crate, and did another inspection of the machine and it was looking absolutely immaculate. I set up the stand and the cooling tray, then with a friend, lifted the machine up onto the stand.

Soon after, I commenced the motor break-in. Boy was I timid. I ramped up the speed per the grizzly manual, and success, the motor is running smoothly.

I just wanted to share my experiences with grizzly, and to let others know not let their heart be troubled when ordering this mill.

On a slightly different note though, I am slightly upset that I ordered the wrong t-nuts from LMS. I ordered the 1/2" t-nuts, and it seems as if it requires the 7/16". I am going to try grind down the sides of the 1/2" t-nuts in the meantime. I also ordered the precision 4" vise from LMS. Wow this thing is a beast, heavy is an understatement, but looks very good.

I also bought from LMS endmills, t-slot cleaner, clamping set, adjustable parallels (should have just ordered regular parallels), starrett wiggler edge finder, etc.

Does anyone know of a good motor oil to oil the ways? What grade motor oil would be best, or should I just go ahead and buy the way oil from LMS? (Don't really want to pay the shipping cost)

One of my first projects with this mill is to clean up and drill some steel plates for my Joes 4x4 Evo CNC Router, I have took Joes Evolution design and changed some things around to suit me, with one of the big things being a steel plated aluminum extrusion, as well as steel carriages, with some aluminum parts. From there I will probably be doing some RC Car/Helicopter parts, and future plans is custom knife making, with the mill CNC'd (yes, cheating I know).

Soon I will be converting the Grizzly G0704 mill to CNC. I will probably keep it as leadscrew CNC version for some time to keep the cost down. I am trying to figure out what to do about controller. As stated I already have a CNC router, so I have the CNCRP 4 axis Nema 23 kit with the 380oz motors and Gecko G540 controller.

For the Gecko G540, since I do not want to spend the $600+ on another controller, stepper motors, power supply, etc for the mill, I am considering, taking a bunch of audio jacks, and creating a connection plate for it, all with labeled inputs. So from the G540, I will have all the wires plugged in going to the plate (pretty much just labeled extensions), then on the plate I will have each motor axis input, all the limit switches input, touch probe etc. This way all I will have to do is disconnect the router cables (which will all be labeled) when I am done with the router, then connect the cables for the mill, into this connection plate I am talking about. With Mach3 being able to support multiple profiles, all I will have to do is select either the router profile or the mill profile depending on which cables are plugged in. The only disadvantage I can see with this is the need to disconnect all the wires, then switch them, but being that I am by no means a production shop, this is mainly for hobby usage, I cannot see myself using both the machines at the same time, plus that way it allows me to focus on the parts being cut on the single machine anyway, and being safer too.

Anybody have any objections to this idea?

I would like to use 3 Nema 23 570oz 3.5amp 1/4 shaft (KL23H2100-35-4BM), along with the Gecko G540. I know hoss says on his website that I will not be able to hog out as much material, but I am not trying to beat the rabbit with the turtle either.

Anyhoo, thanks for reading guys.

[arizonavideo]

You will vary soon no want to change over the wires just to use the other machine.

This is a new driver that might be OK for the router table.

http://www.ebay.com/item2a2984cd08

It is a TB6600 driver that can do 3.5A

[fretsman]

You will vary soon no want to change over the wires just to use the other machine.

This is a new driver that might be OK for the router table.

http://www.ebay.com/item2a2984cd08

It is a TB6600 driver that can do 3.5A

Could possibly relink that with the item #? It takes us to: This page may have moved or is no longer available. Please try one of the following:

Thanks,
Dave

[DaveABQ]

congrats on the G0704, I got mine last week and milled my first 80% lower receiver a couple days later and came out great

[BuckingFastards]

You will vary soon no want to change over the wires just to use the other machine.

This is a new driver that might be OK for the router table.

http://www.ebay.com/item2a2984cd08

It is a TB6600 driver that can do 3.5A

Only problem with getting a new controller is getting everything else to go along with it, which means, new power supply, control box, wiring etc. I understand what you mean about it not being ideal but, I think as a temporary solution I can handle it.

I plan on getting a lathe soon too, either the G0602 lathe or one of the littlemachineshop hitorque lathes (leaning toward here because I cannot seem to find any plans to convert the g0602 lathe to cnc... hint hint hoss) (I do see that CNCfusion is currently creating bolt on parts), this way I can use the motors I purchase for the mill for the lathe, and then buy higher torque motors when I eventually convert the g0704 mill over to ballscrews from leadscrews, along with a better and separate control system.

congrats on the G0704, I got mine last week and milled my first 80% lower receiver a couple days later and came out great

I see your wasting no time, would love to see some pictures of your receiver.

I imagine you did it all manually, as a week seems too little to CNC it and it working perfectly.

[hoss2006]

Only problem with getting a new controller is getting everything else to go along with it, which means, new power supply, control box, wiring etc. I understand what you mean about it not being ideal but, I think as a temporary solution I can handle it.

I plan on getting a lathe soon too, either the G0602 lathe or one of the littlemachineshop hitorque lathes (leaning toward here because I cannot seem to find any plans to convert the g0602 lathe to cnc... hint hint hoss) (I do see that CNCfusion is currently creating bolt on parts), this way I can use the motors I purchase for the mill for the lathe, and then buy higher torque motors when I eventually convert the g0704 mill over to ballscrews from leadscrews, along with a better and separate control system.



I see your wasting no time, would love to see some pictures of your receiver.

I imagine you did it all manually, as a week seems too little to CNC it and it working perfectly.

I would have had plans long ago but a disability has kept me from access to the g0602. Might be in the future if things go well.
bdtools on ebay sells a kit for the g0602, seems sold out today but check in with him.
bdtools | eBay
Hoss

[BuckingFastards]

I would have had plans long ago but a disability has kept me from access to the g0602. Might be in the future if things go well.
bdtools on ebay sells a kit for the g0602, seems sold out today but check in with him.
bdtools | eBay
Hoss

I do apologize hoss, I do remember reading that in your G0704 Mill forum, bit it did not click when writing that message.

I do hope things get better soon.

[hoss2006]

Thanks, no problemo, I'm able to get outside again and maybe able to drive my truck again so things are looking better.
There are a few links to g0602 cnc conversions on my site at the right that may give you some inspiration.
G0602
Hoss

[BuckingFastards]

Thanks, no problemo, I'm able to get outside again and maybe able to drive my truck again so things are looking better.
There are a few links to g0602 cnc conversions on my site at the right that may give you some inspiration.
G0602
Hoss

Yea I did view a few of those awesome builds...

I take it you would choose the G0602 lathe over the LMS lathe. I will probably choose the G0602, some time in the new future.