[fxstc]

Looking for advice on WT ZX45, that I can buy new local or order a Grizzly G0762, is the Grizzly worth the extra money for variable speed? I mostly make/modify parts for my race car, and small hobby engines, etc, but I want a larger machine to avoid a second purchase.

[lcvette]

Charter Oaks mill has the best travels of the 45 series mills. You will appreciate the extra travels it offers over the other 45 clones.

[fxstc]

Interesting, I'll add that to my list, nice work envelope.

[lcvette]

If you are doing car parts (I do a lot of car parts too) you'll appreciate it.

Especially for flanges, fuel rails, manifold surfacing etc... You'll want that X and Y travel. Or for probing longer components for retrofit.

The short of it is no one ever wishes they had less work envelope and for the nominal price difference, its a no brainer!

Where are you located?

Chris

[fxstc]

That's pretty much most of the use, brackets, etc.

I'm in Michigan.

[photomankc]

People do wish for more spindle speed, but given what you're talking about I would go for the RF45 and the larger ones at that. You can always go for a belt drive later on. Some of the clones don't have much more Y than the 0704 and that is the limit that frustrated me the most. I'm upgrading myself to add a few more Y Inches. Sadly I'ts not going to be a RF45 but really, my work is in robotics and generally small AL parts so the BF25/30 sized machines are great for what I do.

[fxstc]

Good points, I do like the convenience of the VFD, but table size and travel is more important.

[dracozny]

here is a model of a Charter oak mill compared to the other 45 clones and x3 that Hoss made https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9yEEt4mLMg

[fxstc]

Nice! The decision isn't getting easier, I appreciate the information on the various clone differences. Spreadsheet time...

[dracozny]

Nice! The decision isn't getting easier, I appreciate the information on the various clone differences. Spreadsheet time...

I'll give you my two cents, I own a zx45. If I were to do it all over again I would have tried to save some more coin for the Charter Oak. More travel more stout, Charter Oak techs actually put a lot of effort into the mill from the start. They even have a CNC kit if you opt for the Manual and want to convert later. Oh and did I mention technical support?
I am converting my zx45 now, and what a PITA. I'm still saving money over all but the time and aggravation is expensive.

[hoss2006]

I got an email from a customer that clued me on to a new version of the rf45, the Saber ZX45, a long table version at AR Tools.
Saber ZX45 Heavy Duty Milling Machine - AR Tools & Machinery, Inc.
He says it goes for about $2400.
I has a table the same size as the C oaks/md001 but only specs 7 1/4 y travel, seems small.
You can see in my video how much bigger the base is on the md001 which gives it 12 inches Y travel, more beneficial than extra x travel IMO.
In another thread a member asked about the new charter oaks mill with a weight loss, 770 lbs vs the old 1000lbs of the ih/md001.
Wonder if they've changed to this type though they still spec 12" y.
Something does not compute.
Hoss

[lcvette]

Perhaps they are no longer including the weight of the stand since they only offer a tube steel stand version now?

[dracozny]

Perhaps they are no longer including the weight of the stand since they only offer a tube steel stand version now?

My bolton ZX45 weighs 816 lbs and does not include a stand. so the weight is being removed from somewhere else.

[lcvette]

770 and 816 is a lot closer than 770 and 1000, wonder if it is just misrepresentation or guestimates or have you physically weighed your machine? Perhaps others can chime in and give their findings? I'm curious. I do know Hoss mentioned in one of his videos that the column was larger but appeared to be a thinner casting on the MD001.

Not sure if the technology is being implemented into these smaller machines but many larger VMC's are incorporating more thin walled castings but are using various design criteria to achieve better rigidity and anti resonance characteristics. I would venture a guess that is probably not the case here but I have never seen inside the base and column of these mills to see if there is any bracing or webbing designed in. Perhaps someone who has one can clarify?

[fxstc]

I has a table the same size as the C oaks/md001 but only specs 7 1/4 y travel, seems small.
You can see in my video how much bigger the base is on the md001 which gives it 12 inches Y travel, more beneficial than extra x travel IMO.
Hoss

Looks like less Z axis as well?

[hoss2006]

Looks like less Z axis as well?

Yes it seems to have the typical rf45 column and z travel with an rf45 base which would explain it's small y travel and low weight compared to the md001.
It does claim more x travel than c-oaks does with the same size table but that could be due to a bigger saddle on the c-oaks.
Hoss

[deuce217]

I talked to AR Tools today. I am sold on that ZX45L, selling my bridgeport and gonna invest in that for a small footprint.

I take this back the NT30 Spindle is available from C-oaks. That looks like a cool upgrade. Hoss, is that one as easy to do a automatic tool changer on as the G0704? (not saying I am even able to handle the ATC endeavor on the G0704).