With a d.r.o., you can just move the table a little bit when retracting the boring bar.This way you can come back to zero and not mess up the boring bar setting.
I like the Cincinnati horizontal mill you've got over there on the side. I used my rapid feed for surface grinding small parts. My mill has a slotting head on the back. Wonderful tool.
Very nice machine, with only having basic knowledge I never realized you could offset the spindle rotation for using a boring bar, iI find it incredible all the different adjustments/functions that can be made and utilized with such a machine. Thanks for the video Gavin 😎👍.
Still a great vid. You can find the Enco, Lilian and Modern Tool versions of this lathe for $1500-3000 at machine auctions all day long. Taiwanese castings, same motor. I paid $1000CDN for a MODERN X6323A at auction in mint condition, with DRO and controls on a panel mount. It may seem like overkill, but if you're getting into gunsmithing and have the space, the 9x49 with R8 collets is more than enough. I was able to get runout into the low ten thou's by putting an index mark on the spindle, and matching an alignment mark on Tormach TTS tool holders. If you need a smaller mill due to space, the PM30 has long bed travel for inletting, and can be accurized in the same way.
I was searching for reviews of the PM1440gt and really enjoyed your video and coverage of the lathe, so much that I ended up watching a second video (this one).
FYI, the outer 2 set screws on the boring head should be adjusted to set the gib tension and left alone. The center screw is the gib lock which is used when making adjustments. I believe on most boring heads the center set screw is slightly larger. Great video as always.
I got mine a few yrs ago. They are a Taiwan mill, which is similar to made in japan or made in germany. Taiwan is a different culture and work ethic than china. They dont make junk but you pay more for it. Matt from PM is a good guy do deal with. I actually got good service after the sale. Something not very common today.
Thanks for the video, Gavin. Nothing has changed since we talked at the beginning of the month in Florida; I am still planning on getting the same mill as you have there. I just have to wait for the right time to sweet talk Mama and let her think it's her idea. Lol. When I do pull the trigger on it, I will definitely be reaching out to you on what other accessories I need to get with it. Fantastic video!!
You don't have to lock the Z axis on a knee mill 99% of the time. The knee is sitting on top of the thread, preventing it from moving down, which is the opposite of a benchtop mill, where locking the Z axis is mandatory. Also, you should invest in a DRO for your quill and a Z axis power feed.
Great video! I'm getting ready to buy the smaller brother of this mill, the PM935. My shop space has finished ceiling height of 84-85 inches, so I need the shorter height, otherwise I would be getting the PM949 as well. I watched your lathe video as well, and thought that both videos were very well done. I am subscribed!
I like that machine. Different seeing a new or fairly new machine on TH-cam, usually well used machines. The higher RPM got the job done quicker however it sure did throw the chips all over. I have not watched all you machine videos since I came to your channel via your firearms channel. One question, where is your Gerstner box. Great job of teaching us, Gavin. BTW, I am sure you have seen ATOM79 and Mrpete222 on here as well. I like those two guys a lot, learning a lot from them. Over time I have watched many, many machine and machine related videos. Any, thanks for all your great content.
hello gavin i have a 9x49 2vsg atrump mill and it is the same mill as your mathews. in high range i go to forward in low range i go to reverse to turn the rotation clockwise. when i got the mill it was set up wrong like yours is. all you have to do to make it operate correctly is change any 2 wires in the forward reverse switch on the front of the machine very simple. it takes 2 minuits or so. i t doesent matter which 2 you change out of the 3 wirers. but i just thought of somthing my mill is 3 phase i think you said your mill is single phase thats maby the difference right there . well what i said works for 3 phase for sure. check with mathews first.
Nice machine, like your videos. I'm not nitpicking, just wondering why you didn't use at least a center drill? Again I'm not nitpicking, I'm a machinist and just wondering.
Very cool video. I have a question and it may be elementary. Why do you use the Z axis adjustment in the last demonstration, rather than just lowering the quill down and bringing the bit to the piece? I assume that may be it’s for vibration issues but it seems like it would be easier to do the adjustments from the top and leave the table in the position that was in.
That set of drill bits in the top of the machinist's chest looks like the same "free gift" set I got from Grizzly several years ago. The cheap case is falling apart on me at this point but the bits have been decent. I wouldn't use them for precision work or anything but they have been fine for home projects.
I like your mill! I just was wonder if your mill was like my ( I have a jet mill 10”x50”) that I got used the auto feed quill part was mess up. My auto feed quill on my mill works great now. After reading the manual for my mill found out the the clutch on the auto quill is set up for a maximum drill of 3/8”. So I looked up a PM949TV mill shop manual to see what that mill auto feed quill was set for it set for a 3/8” maximum RPM 3000. I was just trying to spread information. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and I hope you have a very Happy New Year.
I run the PM932M-PDF with 3axis DRO, X power feed, and power feed head position motor. It is more than rigid enough for most of my gunsmithing work. With the right tools and feeds and speeds it can move some metal. Would love to have your mill though lol
I found your channel looking for info about a mill. If you have a moment, would you mind explaining why you bought 949 knee mill when you already had a 728 bench mill and why did you choose the 949 and not the 935? Since this video is almost 2 years old, is there anything you would've done different when purchasing a mill? Guns aren't my thing but subscribed just for your machining content. Thank you.
Gavin, Did you order all your precision Matthews machines with single phase motors. If so. Did you notice any torque difference between single phase and three phase? Very informative videos. Thank you.
This is one of the better reviews that I have seen on a new machine. It is a very nice mill, especially for the price. Have the ways been flaked for oil retention? I would like to know about the knee ways, but especially about the X and Y ways.
@@jimenz6548 It would be impossible to sell a fully scraped machine at this price point. The Precision Matthews Taiwanese built Bridgeport style mills have hardened and ground ways with Moglice on the X And Y movements. I don't know about the knee. Flaking has a scraped look to it but it is done to retain oil between the mating surfaces. Scraping is done to achieve better matting surfaces and also for oil retention. Scraping is very time consuming therefore it is very expensive even in production. After a piece has been ground it can be flaked in a short time period. Flaking probably isn't the proper term, its what I tend to use.
I have one of their PM-45 CNC...although i have changed the controller to UCCNC...I REALLY wish they would offer cnc'd machines again, I would buy another.
People sell kits for most of their machines. pm-940 or pm-833 are the way to go for CNC. Also, if you contact Precision Mathews, they sell the PM 940 CNC, just not on their site.
“If you’re mechanically inclined...” well, if you’re NOT mechanically inclined, you shouldn’t be trying to use a shop. Mounting a DRO isn’t the most difficult thing to do. If you buy a full size mill, then you should be capable of doing this. I did mine. You can do yours. It’s good practice for what you’re going to use the mill, and other equipment you’re going to have, for. You may not want to take the time to do it, and to just jump into using the mill, but that’s something else.
On a Bridgeport, I thought max drilling in mild steel with the power feed is 3/8".... Isn't the clutch supposed to be adjusted to slip with anything bigger than that?
Good video Gavin! Who is on the camera doing such a very good job? On that double duplex on the mill, it would look better (industrial) if you used a stamped steel cover. I know your a bug on perfection. Stay healthy!
Yes, that is a possibility. We where thinking that way to, but bought an old but REALLY nice and sturdy Shizuoka mill instead. ~2500 kg heavy duty machine with double quills, both horizontal and vertical possible to run independently at the same time. In our opinion ~12 000€/$ well spent...
Used bridgeport or new PM949? both around $7k . Bridgeport is in extremely good (but used) condition. Is it crazy getting a used bridgeport for the price of a new PM mill? Or is Bridgeport that good?
I would say it depends on features (vari speed head -vs- step head) and also how much slop/wear there is on the Bridgeport. The PM-949TV is TIGHT and the turcite way coating make it work like glass...
For $7k I would expect a fully rebuilt Bridgeport [making it a more or less new machine] New cast Iron [Chinese] compared to old USA cast Iron is what make old machines worth their money . Cast iron moves over time unless its had time to settle [which Import machines dont]
@@Ultimatereloader You are correct about the price of a new BP but unfortunately they are no longer made in the US. Maybe Taiwan (like your PM) or maybe China I'm not sure.
@@Ultimatereloader I think the last US made Bridgeports (Hardinge) were made about 10 years ago. Something about not being able to get the castings in the US.
Can you make an entire stock for a gun on there out of aluminum say for a ruger m77mk2 short action chambered in .308 win and get it where it will take a detachable magazine?
Doesn't seem to be an issue- and I have more research to do. Some say it's better for the machine to be able to "slide" on the floor in an earthquake, rather than a bolted down machine "tipping over" - that's my main consideration :)
@@Ultimatereloader No doubt, that was the other thing I was going to bring up. Having lived through earthquakes all my life being a California native, I'd definitely bolt it down, and I'd bore out those ½" mounting holes to accept ¾" all threads epoxied into the concrete floor. Either that or weld up a heavy duty steel rolling platform base with a wide wheel base so it'll roll with the quake while eliminating the risk of tipping over in the violent shaking and upheaving. But I do like your setup though 👍
being a tool and die maker, I can say that speed of milling is the utmost importance to not get marking on the metal, the machine itslef is plenty heavy, if you move it from vibrating, then your forcing it to do its job.
Why would I want one of those toy milling machines ? The one thing it does have is significantly higher spindle speeds - I forget what the top speed is on mine - just (LOL!!!) had a look... H:1180 V: 1600 - so if I run at twice speed, that'll be 3200 - talk about flying cutters (you know, an 8" radious fly cutter at 3200 rpm....
That mill would be a lot more accurate if it was in my shop even if after buying it I could not afford any tooling I could promis I would go with out any thing not 100% nessasary. Like food diabetic meds don't need ! I will get by to get tooling and I see a income from what I can do with something like that ! I just want to live long enugh tell I can get that and the joy of making money using that ! Cept 🍺
Looks like someone painted a Bridgeport white. I really thought we would have moved on from archaic junk like this. At this point it should all be vmc's with conversational programming.
With a d.r.o., you can just move the table a little bit when retracting the boring bar.This way you can come back to zero and not mess up the boring bar setting.
I like the Cincinnati horizontal mill you've got over there on the side. I used my rapid feed for surface grinding small parts. My mill has a slotting head on the back. Wonderful tool.
Very nice machine, with only having basic knowledge I never realized you could offset the spindle rotation for using a boring bar, iI find it incredible all the different adjustments/functions that can be made and utilized with such a machine. Thanks for the video Gavin
😎👍.
Still a great vid. You can find the Enco, Lilian and Modern Tool versions of this lathe for $1500-3000 at machine auctions all day long. Taiwanese castings, same motor. I paid $1000CDN for a MODERN X6323A at auction in mint condition, with DRO and controls on a panel mount. It may seem like overkill, but if you're getting into gunsmithing and have the space, the 9x49 with R8 collets is more than enough. I was able to get runout into the low ten thou's by putting an index mark on the spindle, and matching an alignment mark on Tormach TTS tool holders. If you need a smaller mill due to space, the PM30 has long bed travel for inletting, and can be accurized in the same way.
I was searching for reviews of the PM1440gt and really enjoyed your video and coverage of the lathe, so much that I ended up watching a second video (this one).
FYI, the outer 2 set screws on the boring head should be adjusted to set the gib tension and left alone. The center screw is the gib lock which is used when making adjustments. I believe on most boring heads the center set screw is slightly larger. Great video as always.
What a quality machine. I'm impressed.
Great video! Thanks for showing off your mill.
Thanks Mike!
Good equipment by an outstanding builder, you do outstanding work
Nice Mill!!
cool, just found your channel! Thanks for the information. Just the right mix for newbies like myself looking at a milling machine!
Thank you for doing this!
Much appreciated! :)
I got mine a few yrs ago. They are a Taiwan mill, which is similar to made in japan or made in germany. Taiwan is a different culture and work ethic than china. They dont make junk but you pay more for it. Matt from PM is a good guy do deal with. I actually got good service after the sale. Something not very common today.
Everything nice and tidy so work more efficient
Good video
Thanks for the video, Gavin. Nothing has changed since we talked at the beginning of the month in Florida; I am still planning on getting the same mill as you have there. I just have to wait for the right time to sweet talk Mama and let her think it's her idea. Lol. When I do pull the trigger on it, I will definitely be reaching out to you on what other accessories I need to get with it. Fantastic video!!
Robert Hall Awesome! Worth the wait, and I’m sure you’ll love it! Such a great mill....
@@Ultimatereloader do you registered in facebook?
You don't have to lock the Z axis on a knee mill 99% of the time. The knee is sitting on top of the thread, preventing it from moving down, which is the opposite of a benchtop mill, where locking the Z axis is mandatory. Also, you should invest in a DRO for your quill and a Z axis power feed.
Wish i owned one, had a place to put it, and tooled up to build the many fun things it's capable of doing.
Very cool! Thanks Gavin!
Greg Truchot thanks Greg!
Gavin! I was looking up the Precision Matthews machines, and then I saw you here. I had no idea you were doing this stuff. Awesome :)
I've got a ce 0633 super milling machine it's identical in ever way.
Great machine. Taiwan has a great machine.
Excellent review!!
Art from Ohio
This and the lathe video are wonderful. I'd love to see you build a gun from scratch using this equipment.
You have a great future Gavin
I like these videos. I learned a lot, thanks.
Great video! I'm getting ready to buy the smaller brother of this mill, the PM935. My shop space has finished ceiling height of 84-85 inches, so I need the shorter height, otherwise I would be getting the PM949 as well. I watched your lathe video as well, and thought that both videos were very well done. I am subscribed!
Letsgoshootin I have the 932M PDF. Love it
I like that machine. Different seeing a new or fairly new machine on TH-cam, usually well used machines. The higher RPM got the job done quicker however it sure did throw the chips all over. I have not watched all you machine videos since I came to your channel via your firearms channel. One question, where is your Gerstner box. Great job of teaching us, Gavin. BTW, I am sure you have seen ATOM79 and Mrpete222 on here as well. I like those two guys a lot, learning a lot from them. Over time I have watched many, many machine and machine related videos. Any, thanks for all your great content.
We need a giveaway where you build a rifle with a lucky fan.
Tyler R Great idea!
Very envious! Great video, too.
Great job 👍
Thanks for the video. Would love to see some projects done on it
Nice machine!
hello gavin i have a 9x49 2vsg atrump mill and it is the same mill as your mathews. in high range i go to forward in low range i go to reverse to turn the rotation clockwise. when i got the mill it was set up wrong like yours is. all you have to do to make it operate correctly is change any 2 wires in the forward reverse switch on the front of the machine very simple. it takes 2 minuits or so. i t doesent matter which 2 you change out of the 3 wirers. but i just thought of somthing my mill is 3 phase i think you said your mill is single phase thats maby the difference right there . well what i said works for 3 phase for sure. check with mathews first.
Nice machine, like your videos. I'm not nitpicking, just wondering why you didn't use at least a center drill? Again I'm not nitpicking, I'm a machinist and just wondering.
Very cool video. I have a question and it may be elementary. Why do you use the Z axis adjustment in the last demonstration, rather than just lowering the quill down and bringing the bit to the piece? I assume that may be it’s for vibration issues but it seems like it would be easier to do the adjustments from the top and leave the table in the position that was in.
That set of drill bits in the top of the machinist's chest looks like the same "free gift" set I got from Grizzly several years ago. The cheap case is falling apart on me at this point but the bits have been decent. I wouldn't use them for precision work or anything but they have been fine for home projects.
That’s such a nice machine.. I was hoping to see more projects running it…Any plans ?
I like your mill! I just was wonder if your mill was like my ( I have a jet mill 10”x50”) that I got used the auto feed quill part was mess up. My auto feed quill on my mill works great now. After reading the manual for my mill found out the the clutch on the auto quill is set up for a maximum drill of 3/8”. So I looked up a PM949TV mill shop manual to see what that mill auto feed quill was set for it set for a 3/8” maximum RPM 3000. I was just trying to spread information. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and I hope you have a very Happy New Year.
I run the PM932M-PDF with 3axis DRO, X power feed, and power feed head position motor. It is more than rigid enough for most of my gunsmithing work. With the right tools and feeds and speeds it can move some metal. Would love to have your mill though lol
I found your channel looking for info about a mill. If you have a moment, would you mind explaining why you bought 949 knee mill when you already had a 728 bench mill and why did you choose the 949 and not the 935? Since this video is almost 2 years old, is there anything you would've done different when purchasing a mill? Guns aren't my thing but subscribed just for your machining content. Thank you.
WE THE PEOPLE
Gavin, thanks for the review video. Are you still happy with the mill? I am contemplating buying a PM 949 also.
Also called a dream
Gavin,
Did you order all your precision Matthews machines with single phase motors. If so. Did you notice any torque difference between single phase and three phase?
Very informative videos.
Thank you.
Good deal on the ring, I was a bit concerned untill you removed it.
It's called head NOD
This is one of the better reviews that I have seen on a new machine. It is a very nice mill, especially for the price. Have the ways been flaked for oil retention? I would like to know about the knee ways, but especially about the X and Y ways.
Don't you mean Scraped?
@@jimenz6548 It would be impossible to sell a fully scraped machine at this price point. The Precision Matthews Taiwanese built Bridgeport style mills have hardened and ground ways with Moglice on the X And Y movements. I don't know about the knee. Flaking has a scraped look to it but it is done to retain oil between the mating surfaces. Scraping is done to achieve better matting surfaces and also for oil retention. Scraping is very time consuming therefore it is very expensive even in production. After a piece has been ground it can be flaked in a short time period. Flaking probably isn't the proper term, its what I tend to use.
Liked the video whoever I wished you would have pulled back the front way covers and showed the ways. Are the Y -axis ways dovetail or box ways?
Good infomercial
I have one of their PM-45 CNC...although i have changed the controller to UCCNC...I REALLY wish they would offer cnc'd machines again, I would buy another.
People sell kits for most of their machines. pm-940 or pm-833 are the way to go for CNC. Also, if you contact Precision Mathews, they sell the PM 940 CNC, just not on their site.
“If you’re mechanically inclined...” well, if you’re NOT mechanically inclined, you shouldn’t be trying to use a shop. Mounting a DRO isn’t the most difficult thing to do. If you buy a full size mill, then you should be capable of doing this. I did mine. You can do yours. It’s good practice for what you’re going to use the mill, and other equipment you’re going to have, for.
You may not want to take the time to do it, and to just jump into using the mill, but that’s something else.
On a Bridgeport, I thought max drilling in mild steel with the power feed is 3/8".... Isn't the clutch supposed to be adjusted to slip with anything bigger than that?
My shops handle for the pneumatic is stuck, you can’t pull it to the left to remove or insert collets - do you know how make it release?
Good video Gavin! Who is on the camera doing such a very good job? On that double duplex on the mill, it would look better (industrial) if you used a stamped steel cover. I know your a bug on perfection. Stay healthy!
Is this the same casting as a Lillian 3Vii???
Previously was looking at a Bridgeport but I’m thinking it’s worth it to save a little more and go the precision matthews route.
Yes, that is a possibility. We where thinking that way to, but bought an old but REALLY nice and sturdy Shizuoka mill instead. ~2500 kg heavy duty machine with double quills, both horizontal and vertical possible to run independently at the same time. In our opinion ~12 000€/$ well spent...
Gavin I am interested in the tool rack you made for the pm 949 would you have the spec’s
Dude! I see a trip to the ER in someone's future, if that tool rack is not protected from their skull !
:) I have since added padding to the end.
Used bridgeport or new PM949?
both around $7k . Bridgeport is in extremely good (but used) condition. Is it crazy getting a used bridgeport for the price of a new PM mill? Or is Bridgeport that good?
I would say it depends on features (vari speed head -vs- step head) and also how much slop/wear there is on the Bridgeport. The PM-949TV is TIGHT and the turcite way coating make it work like glass...
For $7k I would expect a fully rebuilt Bridgeport [making it a more or less new machine] New cast Iron [Chinese] compared to old USA cast Iron is what make old machines worth their money . Cast iron moves over time unless its had time to settle [which Import machines dont]
Taiwan, not China.
why do you use such a long bar to hold indicators for truing the mill? to me it's not a rigid enough setup....
Nice!
Why a knee mill, vs a benchtop? What are the advantages for gunsmithing?
I have a bench mill on the way and will be discussing that shortly!
The first thing i did was to change all feeds over to ball screw on the lathe and mill . No slack what so ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just wondering the cost difference between that mill and a Bridgeport?
I believe a USA made Bridgeport would be about $17,500 + accessories, whereas this mill costs $6,999 + accessories (dro and power feed, etc)
@@Ultimatereloader I like it!
@@Ultimatereloader You are correct about the price of a new BP but unfortunately they are no longer made in the US. Maybe Taiwan (like your PM) or maybe China I'm not sure.
Jim Humphrey wow, didn’t know that!
@@Ultimatereloader I think the last US made Bridgeports (Hardinge) were made about 10 years ago. Something about not being able to get the castings in the US.
I want one
Can you make an entire stock for a gun on there out of aluminum say for a ruger m77mk2 short action chambered in .308 win and get it where it will take a detachable magazine?
M1A2 Abrams yes you could do so!
You think the M is for meehanite??
And not...idk, maybe Mathews?
Good God man, slow down your spindle or crank up that feed dial.
ID tag says PM-949V, not TV.
Yep, and the full machine designation is PM-949TV :) See: www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/pm-949ts-tv/
Chinese brand Milltech you can see the m on the casting sold by different names. Beautiful Cinncinati
Actually I'm pretty sure the M is a casting mark denoting a Meehanite casting this mill is made in Taiwan.
Made in Taiwan, not China. The M denotes Meehanite casting as stated in video.
Huh it's exactly like a bridgeport
Looks like it's not secured to the floor?
Correct.
@@Ultimatereloader Do you plan on bolting it down? I've heard the vibrations shows on the finish cut surfaces it not secured to the floor?
Doesn't seem to be an issue- and I have more research to do. Some say it's better for the machine to be able to "slide" on the floor in an earthquake, rather than a bolted down machine "tipping over" - that's my main consideration :)
@@Ultimatereloader No doubt, that was the other thing I was going to bring up. Having lived through earthquakes all my life being a California native, I'd definitely bolt it down, and I'd bore out those ½" mounting holes to accept ¾" all threads epoxied into the concrete floor. Either that or weld up a heavy duty steel rolling platform base with a wide wheel base so it'll roll with the quake while eliminating the risk of tipping over in the violent shaking and upheaving. But I do like your setup though 👍
being a tool and die maker, I can say that speed of milling is the utmost importance to not get marking on the metal, the machine itslef is plenty heavy, if you move it from vibrating, then your forcing it to do its job.
I never use my Z lock. js
Why would I want one of those toy milling machines ? The one thing it does have is significantly higher spindle speeds - I forget what the top speed is on mine - just (LOL!!!) had a look...
H:1180
V: 1600 - so if I run at twice speed, that'll be 3200 - talk about flying cutters (you know, an 8" radious fly cutter at 3200 rpm....
That mill would be a lot more accurate if it was in my shop even if after buying it I could not afford any tooling I could promis I would go with out any thing not 100% nessasary. Like food diabetic meds don't need ! I will get by to get tooling and I see a income from what I can do with something like that ! I just want to live long enugh tell I can get that and the joy of making money using that ! Cept 🍺
I mean either way you better be mechanically inclined if you are a machinist...
Looks like someone painted a Bridgeport white. I really thought we would have moved on from archaic junk like this. At this point it should all be vmc's with conversational programming.
This is a tinker toy! Real machines use cat 40 & cat 50 tool holders, Nt these puny r8 collets!
Not everything needs Cat 40/50 :) I do have two machines in the shop with Cat 40 for heavy work. R8 is GREAT for gunsmithing...
Made in china. OLD machine. 🎉
Nope- this one is made in Taiwan- big difference.
In design, this is okd machine. This i no more. OLD copy of bridgeport. But New machine is New machine.