Good semi beginner Mill/Drills

[dogone]

I have a Grizzly mill/drill. It was about the top end mill/drill before their straight mill. Have never used anything else but I have done more work with it than my lathe; also a Grizzly.
Before you buy get a Grizzly catalogue. You can look at and read about everything from hobby size to industrial. Lots of information for nothing.

 

[achtanelion]

Just reading the specs between the cx601 and the cx611. The table on the 601 is 8x33", and the 611 is 6x21". The 611 has less horse power, less drilling capacity etc, and weighs about 75kg less. So they aren't quite equivalent machines. That said, I agree with you about the z axis hand wheel location being much nicer on the 611.

My garage isn't very warm. That stiffens up the hand wheels quite a bit. Together with the less than ergonomic height of the z axis wheel on the 601 can make it a bit of a chore.

That's the thing about milling machines, their are so many trade offs in features, it can be tough to sort through them. It would be time we'll spent to get some hands on at the show room before making a decision, because the specs don't tell the whole story. Ergonomic issues will become more apparent.

The ergonomics are a big thing. The more of a joy it is to use, the more you'll use it.

The big selling point for me on the 611 vs the 601 is the size of the column. I find the 600 (and the 601 is it's larger brother) to be limber in the column. If you can't hold the cutter in place, it doesn't matter how much horsepower you're putting into the cut. With the width, and especially depth of the column on the 611 you can get more of the force where you need it.

I definitely second the recommendation to put hands on hardware and see which feels better. I'd love to see busy bee hold try the machines days. Specs only tell you so much.

 

[dead meat]

I have the rf-30 size mill drill, not a bad machine but take light cuts. The round column is a pain but can be delt with. I find the speed changes more annoying, i'm looking at putting on a 3 phase motor and a VFD. Lots of good vids on you tube about these light mills and what guys have done to them.