I see a could of "Round" Column mill on you Grizzly list. I personally would think twice about a round column mill. Because any Z axis movement is limited to the travel of the quill. It is very difficult to maintain perfect X Y alignment, if you have to raise or lower the head, as it is loose to rotate around the column, when it is unclamped to be raised or lowered.
As others have mentioned, try to get the biggest and heaviest mill you can for you budget. The extra mass helps with rigidity. Other nice things are more HP and Variable Speed.
Combo Lathe/Mills are always a tradeoff. But, some people like them. I think if you have the space, two separate machines is the way to go.
As others have mentioned, try to get the biggest and heaviest mill you can for you budget. The extra mass helps with rigidity. Other nice things are more HP and Variable Speed.
Combo Lathe/Mills are always a tradeoff. But, some people like them. I think if you have the space, two separate machines is the way to go.
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