What adjustable boring head ?

[Shrek]

As the title states, what adjustable boring head are you guys using with your mill ? What size and make and why do you like it ?

 

[ridgeway]

You talking about a boring head?

 

[Ggmac]

He's looking up the difference now !

 

[Shrek]

You talking about a boring head?

Yes , edited for correct name.

 

[ridgeway]

Criterion 2" should cover your needs. There are cheaper made ones out there...just have to deal with sloppy fit and kinda learn to work around the quirks.

 

[Shrek]

That's great ! I was looking at a Criterion 2" that is going to be available at an auction this weekend. I'm hoping someone doesn't bid it up. It looked good in the picture. Any guidance on what it's worth ? At this point I'm thinking $75 would be my upper limit for used at an auction.

 

[Shrek]

Any opinion on #2 Bridgeport head ? I'm trying to make a list of good options to be on the lookout for.

 

[butchlambert]

Dave,
I have several Criterions in different sizes. Mine are great. $75 would be cheap. The #2 Bridgeport boring head is like the Criterion.

 

[Shrek]

Thanks Butch. I'm making real progress on getting the shop built and I want to be sitting on go when the shop is finished.

 

[NickB1075]

I bought a criterion 2" and am very happy with it. I don't have much experience but I have used the imports and the criterion is the way to go.

Nick

 

[Rustystud]

Depends on your accuracy needs. Punching holes in stock, or boring a cylinder. What is the horse powder and rigidity of your mill. Do you have a lathe that can do your precision boring? I found a import would punch holes OK. But if your doing precision work the tooling cost pays for itself.

 

[Shrek]

It's a 1hp Millrite until I find a steal of a deal on a Bridgeport or Index.

 

[butchlambert]

It's a 1hp Millrite until I find a steal of a deal on a Bridgeport or Index.

Pretty good little mill.

 

[Shrek]

Pretty good little mill.

It's solid but the particular one I have has a couple of drawbacks. Single phase , the rapid quill , and its slowest speed is 250 rpm. I'm looking hard at an Idex mill right now that if I can get the price down a little I might drive the 1700 mile round trip to buy it. I'm selling my Logan lathe tomorrow afternoon so cash is freed up. Index is a full size mill with a 42" table. Three phase so I can put a VFD on it.

 

[butchlambert]

I think a good Index mill is better than a Bridgeport.