Tom,
If I could have afforded the 40939 I would have gone with it. My 981 is a 1984 version and I bought it used for $255.00 US. It has all I've needed of it, but you do have to take lighter cuts. Mine is my home hobby shop and I don't have to be as exact as a commercial shop. The 981 will still take a deeper cut than the X2. I enjoy working with my machines so I don't mind the time it takes to make a few extra passes. I can still see a big red in my future so if you can afford it I think it is a very good place to start.
David Hair
----- Original Message -----Sent: Monday, March 28, 2016 8:53 PMSubject: Re: [GrizHFMinimill] Where to start
How is that working for you? I can also get the same Mill/ Drill here in Canada for really cheap but opinions about it are terrible. Apparently the "Mill" part is very much over hyped and the actual machine is just a heavy duty drill.Note that the round column looks exactly like the columns on drill presses - it is just over-sized.The main complaint was a big luck of precision in the column.How is it with your mill/ drill?I was looking at the HF Item 40939 - online opinions are very positive - other than "rough finish" and "needs lots of setup" it seems after cleaninig everyone was happy with it.I am not sure how heavy it is - but it looks big and is 50% more than the model suggested. I was hoping to replace my mini-mill with it sometime later this year.
From: "David Hair' thehairs@optilink.us [GrizHFMinimill]"
Sent: 28 March 2016 17:19
To: GrizHFMinimill@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [GrizHFMinimill] Where to start?
Wyatt,I have a HF 981 Mill/Drill that does everything I've ask of it so far. The modern version is the #33686 at $1199.99. If you use a 20 or 25% off it is well within your budget. It weighs about 600 pounds, but if you take it apart it is easy enough to manage.David HairDalton, GAHarvey (moderator).>
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