Possible Purchase of PM-25MV

[devils4ever]

Yeah, I was on the fence and was initially thinking about the Shars. I'm sure it would be more than adequate, but decided to spend some more cash and this way I can't blame the vise only myself! I wound up ordering it from All Industrial Tool Supply which had free shipping.

My order has shipped! I wonder how long it will take to get here? From Pittsburgh area to NW NJ? I'm hoping it comes Friday so I can use the weekend to disassemble, move, reassemble, and set it up.

 

[wrmiller]

The last time I was vise shopping, I managed to trip over a member here who was selling a Kurt D50. Every now and then I just get lucky.

Looking forward to a setup/progress report and your initial impressions when you get your new toy...err...machine.

 

[shooter123456]

Yeah, I was on the fence and was initially thinking about the Shars. I'm sure it would be more than adequate, but decided to spend some more cash and this way I can't blame the vise only myself! I wound up ordering it from All Industrial Tool Supply which had free shipping.

My order has shipped! I wonder how long it will take to get here? From Pittsburgh area to NW NJ? I'm hoping it comes Friday so I can use the weekend to disassemble, move, reassemble, and set it up.

When my PM-25 shipped from Pittsburgh to central NC, it shipped on a Wednesday afternoon and arrived Thursday evening. It took a little more than 24 hours.

 

[devils4ever]

When my PM-25 shipped from Pittsburgh to central NC, it shipped on a Wednesday afternoon and arrived Thursday evening. It took a little more than 24 hours.

I just got a call from the shipping company and they are delivering it on Monday. So, I'm a lot closer than you and it's taking a lot longer!

They asked about street access and I told them no problem. However, my paved driveway is inclined. I'm hoping they can bring it into my garage. Do they have a powered forklift or something?

 

[shooter123456]

I just got a call from the shipping company and they are delivering it on Monday. So, I'm a lot closer than you and it's taking a lot longer!

They asked about street access and I told them no problem. However, my paved driveway is inclined. I'm hoping they can bring it into my garage. Do they have a powered forklift or something?

I had to get the liftgate delivery service since I do not have a loading dock or forklift. The guy just used a pallet jack to pull it onto the liftgate, lowered it down, walked it down the driveway (Slight incline) and plop it down in the center of my garage. I would anticipate your case being similar but I obviously can't say for sure.

 

[Aaron_W]

I just got a call from the shipping company and they are delivering it on Monday. So, I'm a lot closer than you and it's taking a lot longer!

They asked about street access and I told them no problem. However, my paved driveway is inclined. I'm hoping they can bring it into my garage. Do they have a powered forklift or something?

The specs say these are only about 300lbs, unless you have a really steep driveway that shouldn't be an issue for 2 people with a hand truck. I bought one of these garden carts last year at Tractor Supply. They claim a weight capacity of 800lbs. It has proven quite handy for moving new equipment into my basement shop. I haven't tested it to capacity but I have had 400lbs+ of concrete sacks on it and it didn't fold in half. Do ensure the tires are properly inflated before use though, personal experience on that one.

800lb Garden Cart

I also have a heavy duty hand truck, but the garden cart works better for odd shaped loads like machinery.


For a fly cutter Sherline makes a nice insert fly cutter, and they have just started to stock one with a straight shank.

Sherline insert fly cutter with 1/2" straight shank

 

[mcdanlj]

When my PM-25 shipped from Pittsburgh to central NC, it shipped on a Wednesday afternoon and arrived Thursday evening. It took a little more than 24 hours.

My PM-30 shipped around 5PM from PA to NC (I'm close to shooter) and it was out for delivery by something like 5AM the next morning, arriving at something like 10AM. So less than 20 hours door-to-door. I was flabbergasted. I got PM's 5-inch vise with the PM-30 and have been satisfied.

However, my paved driveway is inclined. I'm hoping they can bring it into my garage. Do they have a powered forklift or something?

The specs say these are only about 300lbs, unless you have a really steep driveway that shouldn't be an issue for 2 people with a hand truck.

Utlimately, you can call them and ask. Typically, they will have a pallet jack when you get liftgate delivery. If they don't, then if you have some furniture dollys you can probably tilt it up onto them and roll it up as long as the slope isn't steep enough to be dangerous, and you don't tip if over and damage it or yourself. Otherwise, you can uncrate and disassemble it at the road side and carry it in one piece at a time.

300 lbs on a pallet jack or furniture dollys seems manageable to me. My idea of "manageable" is probably a bit off-kilter though, since I brought a 1500 lb 1440 lathe across the lawn around my house and into the basement with only two friends.

Whenever I have friends helping with jobs like this I preach a sermon first about how this isn't worth a trip to the ER, please don't be a hero. Once, a friend remembered the sermon as he was starting to try to catch a heavy load and got out of the way in time, which has encouraged me to keep preaching. ☺

 

[mcdanlj]

Well, I've been thinking long and hard about vises and decided to treat myself and my new PM-25MV and cry once and buy a Kurt DX4.

I got PM's 5-inch vise with the PM-30 and have been satisfied.

You're smart. I discovered that the indicating slots in my PM 5" vice are about 1/3mm out of square to the vice jaws. I'll work around it, and grumble each time I suppose...

 

[devils4ever]

My mill arrived late yesterday afternoon! The driver was able to back up into my inclined driveway without issue and placed it in my garage.

 

[devils4ever]

Then, the fun began. Taking it apart on the garage floor was exactly like I was expecting. Not easy.

Bringing the stand into my basement was probably the easiest part. It wasn't that heavy with my hand truck. I placed it on my Vega mobile base (reused from my wood shaper). But, don't worry, this is the best design for a mobile base. The entire load rests securely on the floor, not wheels. The rear wheels are only in play when the front is lifted with a special handle.

I was able to uncrate the beast. After some effort and slight issues, I was able to remove the table. Getting the left side table plate off proved a little challenging. It didn't want to come off. Upon removal, the gib popped out. How does this go back in? There is a slight notch in it. I'm assuming this notch goes to the right and down? Is that correct? I also had to re-position the little X axis indicator to remove the table. The table is heavy. It has to be at least 80 lbs I would guess. It weighs at least twice my entire Sherline mill weighed! Hand carried to basement.

Next, came the decision of whether to remove the column or the head. After some thought, I decided the head would be easier to remove and would allow the base and column to be moved strapped to my hand truck. I got my multi-function ladder as a support (hold 375 lbs) and attached a 1 ton hoist to the head. I wanted to remove the bulk of the weight while I loosened the 3 head bolts. This proved easier said than done. The bolts are hard to see and access sitting on the floor. It turns out the nuts were imperial, not metric and a box wrench was the tool to use, not a socket. I also removed the bolts holding the plastic shield and arm to not damage them. After the bolts were out, I pulled the head off and guided it down onto 2X4 wood placed on the base to avoid damaging it. Hand carried to basement.

Finally, I was able to strap the base and column to my hand truck and get it into the basement. It was a challenge! This beast is heavy. Up and down stairs with 90 degree turns pushed me close to the limit. But, it rest nicely in my basement now.

So, tonight I hope to get the base and column placed and bolted to my stand. I plan on using my hoist to lift it and wheel the base under the it. Same for the head. The table will be last, of course. I want to remove all the grease on the table first. Any ideas what to use?

Whew! Over 3 hours of effort to get to this point. I knew it would not be easy and I was right!