Opinions on Enco mill/drill

[bluebolt]

This mill drill is for sale within a days driving distance from me, worth getting? After seeing how handy my Ridgid drill press is the mill drill looks tempting. Would be nice to be able to do some more complex projects.

What do you guys think?

"I have a quite nice Enco mill drill with R-8 spindle, made in Taiwan, with 5"vise, keyless drill chuck & 1/2 & 3/8" R-8 collets - $600.

On the Enco web site catalog picture, its the one on the left - mine does not have power down feed (I dont think it was offered in '96)
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=591&PMCTLG=00

I bought it new in 1996, has been in my home shop since with typical home use -- not much (I've since got a full size knee mill) I adapted a digital caliper to the quill for a poor mans DRO. Has some slight paint over spray from painting nearby. Both axes are very tight. "

 

[doug.j]

I have a similar model (Tawain made RongFu 31). Nice machine for occasional use. Downside is you need to move the belt to change speed and the round column makes z axis work a little more involved when you raise the head. If you plan on doing a lot of machine work I'd pass and get a knee mill. For basic stuff I like it. I have read that the Tawain machines are better than the China version even though they look similar. Something about the castings and QC being better. Mine was perfect right out of the crate.

 

[bluebolt]

I have a similar model (Tawain made RongFu 31). Nice machine for occasional use. Downside is you need to move the belt to change speed and the round column makes z axis work a little more involved when you raise the head. If you plan on doing a lot of machine work I'd pass and get a knee mill. For basic stuff I like it. I have read that the Tawain machines are better than the China version even though they look similar. Something about the castings and QC being better. Mine was perfect right out of the crate.

Thanks for the info Doug. Since my machining experince is using a drill press it appears to be fine for my occasional minor project LOL.

 

[bluebolt]

And its now mine!