Jet-15 Milling & Drilling machine?

[jwilson645]

I have found a JET-15 mill/drill locally that I am going to look at this weekend. It is identical to the one pictured (pictures are not of the one I'm looking at). I have never ran one but I've always wanted one to replace my regular old drill press. Is there anything specific I need to look at as far as condition? Based on all the other tools that are for sale from the same individual, I assume it has been taken very good care of and works as it should.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you really want to mill, get a real one ! I would not try to use that on any more than plastic.

 

[jwilson645]

That good, eh?

 

[marak]

At an absolute minimum, it should have a square column, not round.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Come on now...I modified my forty-year-old Craftsman drill press for light milling many moons ago by adding two set screws to fix the quill in place. I used it - occasionally & successfully (and very very slowly) - with plastic, brass, aluminum, and cast iron. I also did one or two small steel brackets, but I didn't want to press my luck.

The Grizzly ain't no production mill, but it's at least as capable as my home-brew setup and surely OK for occasional small one-off homeowner projects. How much are they asking for it? If it's close to drill-press territory I'd go for it.

 

[Jswain]

In to hear the opinions. I came across a very similar model but passed on it because of all the warnings to stay away from the round columns. It's very hard to find something between this and a full sized mill

 

[theoldwizard1]

At an absolute minimum, it should have a square column, not round.

Also, a fixed column is more stable.

 

[larry_g]

Buy it. You will learn a lot about machining and when you grow beyond the limitations of that machine then send it on down the road for about what you paid for it. What you buy for cutters and supporting equipment will stay with you and support the next machine you buy. Those make a great drill press with an X-Y table for locating the holes. For small light milling they will get the job done. You have little to lose owning that machine while you look for your next one. If you do buy it get as many tools, collets, vises, stock, measuring instruments with it as you can. When I first started in the hobby I did a lot of buying and selling to get the machines I wanted and buying a machine with a lot of tooling allowed me to sell on down the line the machine and keep the tooling at little or no cost.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Packard V8]

X2- if the price is right, it will be as good a mill as you are a machinist. Once your talent outgrows the Jet, then buy a larger, stronger mill.

I've done a lot of good, precise work on that mill. It isn't junk.

jack vines

 

[DocsMachine]

Ah, the tool snobbery. How I never tire of it.

If you need or even just want a mill, buy it. The only reasons you shouldn't buy it, is if your area is so flush with machines, that a better one for a very similar price is likely to appear in a very short time. Or, if the seller is asking near or even more than new price.

Yeah, it's a round-column import mill drill. So? It's a mill- any machine tool is better than no machine tool. I started my biz with a Jet variable speed mill-drill, that was so clapped out, for every hour of milling I did, I'd have to spend three with sandpaper smoothing out the tool marks.

But, it earned me enough to buy better machines later-I have a small nice-market biz, and it's never been particularly profitable, but that machine, with limited tooling, probably earned me $20-$30K in a couple years.

If I'd waited 'til a "better" machine showed up, I'd still be waiting now.

Yes, a proper "knee" mill would be better, and if you have the chance to get one, that would indeed be preferable.

But Packard has it spot on: Get the Jet, start using it, start learning how a mill works (assuming you don't already know) and upgrade to a better one only as time, need and opportunity calls. But don't think it's a requirement- thousands of people have mill-drills, and do incredible work on them.

Upgrade because- of if- you need to, not because some tool snob thinks you should.

Doc.

 

[RoninB4]

Price per condition is everything. Check for excessive play in the table (worn gibs that can't be adjusted), a spindle that can move from side to side (worn out spindle), noisy spindle bearings (don't buy), more than .030-.050 slop in the handles when reversing the table and saddle movement (lock table when doing so). If all these are ok and price is right then buy it. If it suits your needs, present and future, then it's ok.

Round column machines do still **** and I'm not a tool snob. Most of the lower end machinery/devices that make it over here from Chi-Wan ****, especially the electric motors. I have 3 relatively cheap machines from China and several real machines from Japan, Germany, and the USA. I won't buy another POS from China.

 

[Ditchdigger]

That mill is known as the Rong-Fu milling machine. Relabeled by everyone including Jet and Grizzly. Popular worldwide.

I had one for a few years while I was waiting for room to set up my Bridgeport in a small shop space. I hated it because I was used to big knee mills. It also did everything I asked it to surprisingly well. If you work within its envelope it will do the job.

They run on 110 power and are light enough to set up on a garage work bench. They are extremely popular in almost every country so there is a large amount of support and modifications/upgrades out there. You can even buy an off the shelf CNC retrofit for it. They use a standard R8 collet.

 

[2oolhound]

I have a rong fu 30 which is the big brother to that one (bigger motor and table etc). I've done a ton of work with mine and use it a lot. I paid $550 for mine delivered. It's all I have room for but eventually I would like a knee mill for sure.

Like others have said if the price is right it's a way to get your foot in the door and start learning.

 

[Plastikosmd]

Looks fine to get u started

 

[kbuhagiar]

What are they asking for it?

 

[steve855]

Yeah, it's a round-column import mill drill. So? It's a mill- any machine tool is better than no machine tool.

Doc.

This says it all.
MILL > NO MILL

 

[jwilson645]

What are they asking for it?

I'm not sure yet. It's an estate sale. I'll find out more Saturday when I go look at it in person. They also have a small MYFORD lathe and a ton of tooling for both machines as well as a boat load of micrometers and other tools. The guy was a clock maker so none of it is heavy duty but I don't have space for anything big.

 

[RoninB4]

Part of your machine acquisition decisions should be what you intend to do with it in the future. Yes I know it's difficult to say right now but you should know what you'd like to be able to do. For example, automotive driveshaft work ain't gonna happen in that Myford. Conversely, a 16 x 72 lathe will be a bit clumsy for making custom ball point pens. Some regard the Hardinge HLV-H or Monarch 10EE lathes as a dream purchase. They are quite good but only within the size limits they were designed for. Milling something as large as a loaf of bread will be require multiple set-up operations on the mill you're considering. This is not to say that good work can't be done, it's just learning to work around the machine limitations of ANY machine. I've got a medium sized machine (5,000 lbs) that will do very precise location work but will barely handle working on the 4 cylinder head of a motorcycle. But you CAN do decent work with tiny machines. I made this fork brace for the same motorcycle with a smaller mill than you're considering. My advice is to consider what you want to do in the future, no point in getting machinery NOT capable of handling what you want to do and then face upgrading so soon after your first purchase. Ask questions, be safe, good luck.

 

[imagineer]

FWIW, I have a Jet JMD-18. It's a bit of an upgrade from the one you're looking it, but it's still a round column mill/drill. So far, it's worked out fine.

As a kid working at my father's shop, I had experience using a "Newport" vertical mill. It looked just like standard Bridgeport, just with a different name plate.

Comparing the ease of setups on the old mill, the JMD-18 does take quite a bit longer to set up because of the round column, but so far I'm happy with the purchase.

 

[Renegade1LI]

If the price is right and it looks OK buy it, you can always flip it and upgrade. I'm always looking to upgrade, when it makes sense.

 

[GeoBruin]

I got a Grizzly Mill/Drill as a wedding gift from my best man. It's a square column benchtop model, probably somewhere between the RF-15 and RF-30 in weight. I learned everything I know about machining on that machine. I found a deal on a used Delta-Rockwell knee mill that would be considered an upgrade by most. I sent it home with my dad to fix up and he did an emmaculate job. Better than new. When it was time to move it into my shop, I had second thoughts. The Rockwell would take up more space, and it wouldn't really function as a drill press the way the Grizzly did, so I would need a drill press.

As it stands, my dad has a sweet Rockwell mill in his shop, and I still have the Grizzly. I tell myself I'll swap with him when I have projects lined up I "can't do" with the Grizzly, or when I get a bigger shop, but so far, neither of those had happened.

Moral of the story is, a small mill/drill is a very useful, versatile machine and getting something you can start on is better than nothing as others have said.

 

[jwilson645]

What about this Clausing? It's going to be at the same auction.

 

[shawhite]

Clausing over the jet hands down

 

[GeoBruin]

Oh that clausing is a sweet machine, comparable in size and capability to the Rockwell I mentioned above, but they're like gold. I suspect it goes for several times what the Jet goes for.

 

[dutchgray]

Myford lathes go for a lot more money than they really should for what there are here in the UK, but they are very common and a known quantity, you can even still buy a brand new one and they are UK made.

They were pretty much the only option (or a Boxford for a little more money) for hobbyist machinest's if you were buying a new machine for many years, until the Chinese stuff appeared and pretty much all the hobbyist machine projects in the magazines were designed to be made on a Myford sized machine.

I would get the Clausing over an import round column mill drill as long as it isn't wore out, they are well regarded small mills.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Years ago the hot ticket for a small footprint mill that was reasonably stiff and readily available used was Taiwanese mill generically called the A1S. It has an 8x30 inch table and used R8 collets. Grizzly still sells it.

 

[RoninB4]

The Clausing is a far better machine but condition is critical, as with any machine. Also check to ensure you have ALL the collets, there are a couple of types the Clausing uses and sometimes are either unavailable or expensive. This holds true for any machine that uses collets. I knew a guy with a really nice Linley jig borer, perfect for small shops. Only had two collets and getting more would be difficult/expensive. You won't be able to take heavy cuts with this machine but it's a better machine than the imports. Resale value, if you decide to sell, should be easy as it's a sought after machine by hobby level people. Listen to the bearings and check for excess side-to-side play in the spindle. Good luck, report back.

 

[Plastikosmd]

^
I thought of your post as I was using my Linley today.

Though this is a jig bore, it was my first “light” mill.

Now relegated back to drilling
Lovely machine

 

[RoninB4]

^
I thought of your post as I was using my Linley today.

Though this is a jig bore, it was my first “light” mill.

Now relegated back to drilling
Lovely machine

Congratulations, nice machine. Most column jig borers that I've used (including several Moore's) really aren't very good for milling, A .010 side cut seems to be about the limit before vibrations start coming into play, plunge cuts do so much better. Nonetheless I always liked the Linley despite the small work envelope. Smooth, quiet, and accurate for small tooling, fixtures. My jig borer is below, relegated to taking up valuable space in my basement.

 

[Plastikosmd]

Often the ways are really not up to the task of milling. This model has a more typical ways vs the box type that really are not suitable.

Moved it 3x with just a furniture dolly. I think No have 2 full sets of collets.

Not used much but boy is it smooth for drilling and the 1/10,000 graduations are nice

Nice machine you have, I have found that it is handy to keep a rotary fixture on it for cross drilling round objects. Used rarely but saves time moving a vise and set to go

 

[vanapplebomb]

Round column mills definitely have their limitations, but if you keep feeds reasonable, they will hold their position. If you push it a bit too much, you can spin the head out of position a few thou relatively easy.

Look into some used small format mills. If you are up for some cleanup work, check out a Index number 40 mill. It’s old, compact, and surprisingly capable. They usually have a B&S 9 taper spindle, but Wells Index can regrind it to an R8 for more tooling options.

An old Rockwell International is another option, but no longer supported. Clausing still has (although very limited) support for their older mills as well.

 

[marinusdees]

I have found a JET-15 mill/drill locally that I am going to look at this weekend. It is identical to the one pictured (pictures are not of the one I'm looking at). I have never ran one but I've always wanted one to replace my regular old drill press. Is there anything specific I need to look at as far as condition? Based on all the other tools that are for sale from the same individual, I assume it has been taken very good care of and works as it should.

It's a good step up from your old drill press. Drill chucks do not make good mill chucks since they are not designed for sideways forces. If you decide you need a knee or square column later, it is salable and the money can go for a larger mill. I have a similar mill, if I don't push it, it is capable of considerable work. Not fast, but my time is cheap. No"hogging".

 

[fireplug]

There is a lot of expertise chiming in here so I thought I'd piggy back this post since it's old anyway. Any idea what this DRO would be worth? I ask because the asking price of the RF-30 that it comes with is $4200 and that's Canadian! I assume it's screaming overpriced but thought I'd ask.

 

[jmarkwolf]

There is a lot of expertise chiming in here so I thought I'd piggy back this post since it's old anyway. Any idea what this DRO would be worth? I ask because the asking price of the RF-30 that it comes with is $4200 and that's Canadian! I assume it's screaming overpriced but thought I'd ask.

I have that very same DRO on my current full size Acer 3VSII mill.

It started out life on my round column table-top mill (pic below), then I sold that mill. bought a well-used Bridgeport, and transplanted the DRO to it. Then I sold the Bridgeport and bought the Acer new as a retirement gift to my self, and transplanted the DRO to it. The DRO has been working beautifully for about 10 years. Can't comment on used prices for the DroPro's products because I never see them used.

$4200 sounds way over-priced for that mill unless it comes with every possible tool and accessory. And even then you could probably find a decent Bridgeport for that much.

You guys boo-hooing the round column mills are cry babies. I bought my first mill new, the large HF round column mill (RF-30 clone) in 1998 for purposes of drilling precisely located holes (was building an aircraft at the time). I also learned a lot about machining on that mill, then sold it 15 years later for exactly the same price I paid for it ($750).

When it first arrived, that HF mill table traversed 19 inches from one stop to the other, with only 0.002in TIR (total indicated readout) on the dial indicator. Didn't mill much steel but drilled and milled a truckload of aluminum on that mill.

At the time HF offered free shipping both ways if you didn't like it, so I had nothing to lose by ordering it. I kept it and still have warm and fuzzy feelings about that mill.

If you can afford a Bridgeport and have the space, by all means go for it. But if your requirements are less stringent, table-top round column mills can be a suitable alternative.

 

[rancherbill]

I have found a JET-15 mill/drill locally that I am going to look at this weekend. It is identical to the one pictured (pictures are not of the one I'm looking at). I have never ran one but I've always wanted one to replace my regular old drill press. Is there anything specific I need to look at as far as condition? Based on all the other tools that are for sale from the same individual, I assume it has been taken very good care of and works as it should.

I'd go for it. I have always wanted a light duty mill like this for repairing stuff.

What do you speculate the difference is in price from this one to the drill press you have now?

 

[jwilson645]

I'd go for it. I have always wanted a light duty mill like this for repairing stuff.

What do you speculate the difference is in price from this one to the drill press you have now?

My post was from September 2022. When I got to the sale, the mill was already sold so I didn't get it. I currently have a floor standing 16speed drill press from Black Bull that was bought at Tractor Supply about 10 years ago. It does it's job but was a $200 machine.

 

[rancherbill]

My post was from September 2022. When I got to the sale, the mill was already sold so I didn't get it. I currently have a floor standing 16speed drill press from Black Bull that was bought at Tractor Supply about 10 years ago. It does it's job but was a $200 machine.

A Zombie thread returned from the dead. haha