With some luck, I won't have an experience to make a comparison! The mill I just bought is from Quality Machine and the warranty is 3 years. The people I talk to are in Pittsburgh, and I don't think they outsource anything except the manufacture of their products. I bought a rotary table from Grizzly, but had no problems to call about. I have heard some terrible stories about their CS, although my ordering experience (I picked it up on the way to Branson) was good. The new mill is on the dock waiting for me to pick it up Monday, so here's hoping all is ok.
I am very curious your thoughts on Quality Machine....just the name screams quality! but I am looking for a mill and new ideas are always appreciate.
I only know what I read in the papers. I went nuts comparing the zillions of models Grizzly sells, but nothing really had all the features I wanted. QM has fewer models and I was able to narrow it down to the 932 or 940, at abouty the same price for a Grizzly with accessories. I opted for the smaller of the two, saved a thousand bucks and hope unloading it from my pickup by myself will be more manageable. This video helped me decide, but in the end, the combination of features I wanted (about 8X32, x motor drive, the 5" spindle travel, square column, DRO, steel gears, etc.) decided me. I'll let you know more after I get it plugged in.
I remember you mentioning it. I noticed that Grizzly is set up as a seller on Amazon and Walmart, too, but you don't get free shipping. In fact, some of the accessories are more expensive because minimum shipping is $9.99. Stuff like that, it's probably better to order directly from the company. I've seen it with listings from Banggood and Grandin Road, too. They have to pay a percentage of sales to the big guys, so they have to recover it from the customer.
talked to that guy....the machine is HUGE! 2500 LBS! TABLE IS 43" BY 13" , sounds like the motor controller would need replacing as it is DOS only. I would assume the stepper motors would need replacing...I think they are servos right now. Needs the VFD for speed control/3 phase conversion. Probably too much for the limited time I have...He says they were made here in Colorado....pretty cool.
