Jet JMD-18PFN Mill Drill Review, Test Cuts, & Bolt Circle with Newall DP700 DRO

I have had this Jet JMD-18PFN Mill Drill for over a year and I give a full overview and demo of this machine. Including discussing Round column milling machines vs. Square column. Why you might want one over the other.
If you are looking to purchase a small milling machine, mill drill or bench top milling machine you should check out this video. I go through test cuts in steel and aluminum. Cut a slot and program a Newall DP700 DRO to drill a bolt circle.
Demo the Align X Axis Power Feed for Jet Mill Drill. Cover changing belts and speeds on a Jet Mill Drill, would be the same for changing speeds on any belt driven milling machine.
In this video I test the tram on the head of this Jet mill drill. I tram a Glacern Machine tools (GMT) vise on the table. Use a 3" GMT face mill to cut steel and aluminum. And use a GMT keyless drill chuck to drill some 1/2" holes in steel using the Power Down Feed on this Jet Mill Drill. Also discuss my hack to keep the feed levers from disengaging on my Jet Mill Drill.
This video is great for beginners using a milling machine for the first time, I cover basic milling operations.
Other Mill Tooling:
Mitutoyo 513-406-10T DIAL - Test Indicator - Comes with 3/8" post to go in collet
R-8 collet set
Glacern Machine Tool Tooling:
GSV-550 5” Standard Vise
SB-550 Swivel Base For 5” GSV-550 Vise
R8-DC500 Drill Chuck, R8 Taper
R8-FM45-300 Integral Shank Facemill 3”
SECA43-PC3500 Korloy Inserts - General Purpose
SEHW43-SCREW Extra Facemill Screws
EM90-625A 5/8” Indexible Endmill also purchased their inserts to go with it. Gen purpose and Aluminum.
Thanks for watching!

[@DENedbalek]

Loved the video. I've got an old Rong Fu 30 that appears to be almost identical (no power down feed). I also would probably not buy a round column mill again, but a little as mine get used it will do everything I've asked of it. The manual machining videos are my favorites. Keep 'em coming!

[@BladesIIB]

Dwayne - Thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed it. Tried to give the round column fair balance, it has done some great work for me. Glad yours has served you well too. Love my CNC but agree, hard to beat the satisfaction of manual machining.

[@richardperry7032]

Just bought one (no DRO or power table). Thank you for making this video, very insightful and heavily influenced my purchase. Would love a video on more tips for this machine if you have any more! Thank you again

[@BladesIIB]

@richardperry7032 - Congrats on the new machine and glad the video was helpful. Adding a powered later is a pretty easy bolt on. As you may have seen in the comments, you can tram the head you just have to shim the column where it bolts to the base. I have a few other videos running this mill on the channel. If you are ever looking for something specific let me know. Happy to try and help or make a video if it can help others. All the best getting some chips to fly.

[@wheelisforge]

Thanks for the video! Not looking at the Jet particularly but a medium sized mill in general. Would be my first mill and this video really helped me understand a lot of the terminology and uses . Really appreciate that!

[@BladesIIB]

Wheelis Forge - Thanks for the comment, always love to hear how these videos are helpful. All the best with your purchase and getting your tiling together.

[@wheelisforge]

@@BladesIIB it certainly has helped me a lot! Btw, sorry for the double post, deleted the other.

[@BladesIIB]

@@wheelisforge Ha, no worries.

[@mikeulakovic5310]

I wanted to comment on the tram of the mill/drill, I have an RF30 which is basically the same as the Jet. There are 4 bolts that hold the round column casting onto the base, I shimmed that casting and was able to get mine to tram within about .0005. Having said that it did take some fiddling but once done it has held the tram. I hope this helps those that want to take that project on. Mike

[@BladesIIB]

Mike Ulakovic - Great tip thanks. I looked at mine and the bolts must come up from underneath? Would definitely take some fiddling but nice to know the possibility is there and that it held tram afterwards and was worth the effort. Appreciate the comment!

[@appalachianbushcraft3959]

Excellent, this video helped me out a lot. Great job on the video and thanks for taking the time to review it.

[@BladesIIB]

Appalachian Bushcraft - Thanks for the comment and the original video request. Glad this was helpful for you! All the best as you find the right mill for you and your shop.

[@toddf4738]

Great video. I ordered the exact same mill (with X-axis power feed installed) over two months ago and it just arrived yesterday. To bad you posted this video after I ordered it. It may have influenced my decision. But I think I am going to like it. So far, I’ve only squared up a block of aluminum and drilled some holes in some steel. The first thing I did to the machine was attach a magnet to the top cover so it sticks to the column and holds the lid open for belt changes. The second thing I did was order a brighter bulb to replace the wimpy 20watt piece of junk that it comes with. I haven’t gotten around to checking tram yet. Too bad there is no way to correct any errors. Do you think it’s possible to add shims between the base and the column? One advantage this machine has over a square column model is power. Most square column machines have variable speed, DC motors. They have very little torque at low speeds. This machine, because of pulleys and physics and stuff, has mega torque at low speed and could eat a square column for lunch. Please make more videos featuring the JMD-18PFN.

[@BladesIIB]

Todd F - Congrats on the new machine and thanks for the comment. I will be adding a magnet to the cover ASAP! I’m addition to the brighter bulb I recommend a ring light on the spindle. You can Google for ideas. I ordered mine from Amazon along with a 12v power supply. Wired it up and it is awesome. You don’t see it in my videos often because it is so bright it washes out on camera. Great for working though. Check out my channel and you will definitely see the Jet in action I’m other videos. Enjoy the new machine and I agree on your power note.

[@Lesfac]

I have a similar machine without the bells and whistles. I have been very happy with it's capabilities. Within reason it will take healthy cuts in it's stride. I did see a suggestio to address the loss of location when moving the head height. Someone suggested fixing a laser to the head beaming across the workshop and located on a vertical line on the wall. When the head rotates around the column as you adjust the height, you just ensure the spot is on the vertical line before tightening the head. I haven't done that so I don't know how accurate it would be.

[@BladesIIB]

@Lesfac - Yes they are a good machine. Glad you are happy with yours. The laser sounds interesting but I think I would still check with my probe and ensure I was lined up for any important part. But who knows maybe it is really accurate? Thanks for the comment. Always more to learn.

[@mindfulrifleman7198]

Can you get close up pictures or video on how the dro scales are mounted to your jet mill drill, i am in the process of adding scales to mine but trying to figure out how they are mounted .

[@BladesIIB]

@@mindfulrifleman7198 sure, just took some. Go to my website, hit the contact me form and send me an email and I will send them to you when I get in from the shop this afternoon - www.BladesIIB.com

[@mindfulrifleman7198]

@@BladesIIB i just sent you my email address on your website.

[@justinstockton9009]

Great video. Thank you for all the information

[@BladesIIB]

justin stockton - Appreciate the comment, glad it was helpful.

[@mindfulrifleman7198]

Which glacern vise is yours ?, i have the same drill mill and looking at getting a vise for it . Your video is very informative thank you

[@BladesIIB]

Mindful rifleman - I have the GSV-550 standard vise and the swivel base for it. Part numbers are in the description as well. Glad it was helpful, thanks for the comment.

[@appalachianbushcraft3959]

Just ordered this machine the non pfn version. I had 2 square column mills prior the 727m version. The square column mills suffer from the same alignment issues in Z the round column ones do. When the head of the mill is unclamped often the head will swivel slightly left or right, it will also shift the spindle towards the column. Point is ANY machine with a non stationary head NEEDS to be checked for alignment when the head is moved. As far as slop in spindle when fine down feed is used just lightly snug the quill clamp instead of completely loosing it. This will keep the play taken up in the pinion. Anyone that has a square column mill can set up 1-2-3 blocks and DTI indicators while clamping and un clamping the head on a square column mill and you will see what I mean. Square or round make no difference they BOTH move when the head is unclamped. Even with the gib adjusted properly it will do this, adjust it too tight and if the dovetails were not perfectly ground from the factory you will start loosing Z height adjustment. Try it for those of you that have a square column mill.

[@BladesIIB]

Appalachian Bushcraft - Thanks for the comments. Great tips and insight to get the most out this and other mills. I will definitely try tightening the quill a little on my down feed ops in the future.

[@tinaliebe5118]

Hi thanks for your video I have one similar to yours it needs new bearings so my question is how does it perform cutting slots in steel can you please do a video on slots in steel it’s my first mill and I need as much information on the round Column mill thanks

[@BladesIIB]

@tinaliebe5118 - I have cut plenty of steel with this it performs fine. What size slots are you looking to cut? How deep, how wide what type of steel? I will see if I can give you some additional insight.

[@tinaliebe5118]

@@BladesIIB mainly key way slots also dove tail not to deep 6 to 12 mm possibly deeper at times mild steel but some times I might need to do it in stainless steel or 4140 steel I have time on my side so I can take lighter cuts thanks for your reply 👍🏻

[@BladesIIB]

@@tinaliebe5118 - I would think a 3/8" keyway you could cut in one pass in steel. a full 12mm or nearly ½" may take two passes. When taking multiple cuts on a keyway try to keep all passes the same depth to ensure you are getting the same flex each time and keep the width close. I will see if I can get a video out in the next few weeks cutting a few different widths and verify what size keyway I can get to in one cut. Thanks for the question and video idea.

[@tinaliebe5118]

@@BladesIIB hi and thanks for your feedback I can’t wait to try mine for the first time and I’m looking forward for your video I have you saved and I think I will get a message when you do more videos sorry for the metric sizes but I’m in Australia and thanks again mate 👍🏻👍🏻🍺

[@BladesIIB]

@@tinaliebe5118 Took me a little longer than planned, I had a few welding jobs the last couple of weeks. Finally got a video of cutting keyways/slots with the Jet round column Mill Drill. Hope this gives you what you need. I was actually impressed at what it could do first cut. Better than I thought on ½" diameter keyway. Enjoy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWqxamWqecR7apI

[@shadeholder3460]

Thanks for the great video. I was wondering. I just bought the exact Jet drill/mill machine and was wanting the loadout that you got from GMT if you wouldn't mind giving a run down on the parts list, please. Thank you again

[@BladesIIB]

Shade Holder - Great question. I just added all the GMT tooling details in the description for you and anyone else. Thanks for asking! All the best with your new mill.

[@bsquadroni]

​@@BladesIIB Thanks for adding the GMT parts list. I just received this same mill and plan to purchase the same vice. Could you also provide the parts required to align the vise at 18:20?

[@BladesIIB]

@@bsquadroni Congrats on the new machine and sure, I just added the dial to the description as well it is the Mitutoyo 513-406-10T DIAL - Test Indicator. It comes with the 3/8" post that I hold in the standard 3/8 collet. If not already on your list you need a R-8 Collet set with your mill. You will use that to hold end mills, drills, etc. Hope that helps.

[@bsquadroni]

​@@BladesIIB Good stuff, thanks again!

[@BladesIIB]

@@bsquadroni Anytime. Appreciate the questions.

[@Blou55]

Very helpfull for the beginner i'm. Thanks.

[@BladesIIB]

Blou MichelB - Appreciate the comment. Glad it was helpful.

[@supermannyg3]

Thanks for this video.

[@BladesIIB]

Manny G - Glad it was helpful. Appreciate the comment.

[@Dima-qg2rl]

hi! how mach did you pay for the machine?

[@BladesIIB]

Dima - When I purchased it, I paid just under $5k for it delivered. Thanks for the question.

[@npalen]

Would suggest, when using the handwheel downfeed or power downfeed, to always snug the spindle lock enough to keep backlash out and then down feed to tough off or take additional cut. Touching off and then letting the spindle "float" down to the desired depth is not good practice.

[@BladesIIB]

npalen - Appreciate the comment and guidance. So obvious, yet I have been missing it on this mill drill. So used to using a Knee mill where you set depth moving up and backlash was already removed. I will definitely add a little tension in the future and feed into it with the backlash removed. Thanks!

[@npalen]

@@BladesIIB Yeah, these mill/drills are a different animal, you have to sneak up on them--or maybe sneak down? Haha Cheers!

[@BladesIIB]

@@npalen Yes for sure. Thanks again.

[@Blou55]

Just ordered a dro, my next buy will be x power feeder.

[@BladesIIB]

Blou MichelB - Congrats! Should be great additions to your machine. Thanks for the comment.

[@jerrypeal653]

Imagine you can Tram the head to table with shims if needed .

[@BladesIIB]

@jerrypeal653 - Yes you are 100% correct. Have learned that since posting this video. Thanks for the comment.

[@retiresoon5639]

The column bolts to the base, Why in the world would you not be able to shim it to correct the tram....I am ROTFL

[@BladesIIB]

Retire Soon - You are correct. Have had some others clue me in on how to adjust this as well. Thanks for the comment.

[@TrPrecisionMachining]

good video bud

[@BladesIIB]

Tr Precision Machining - Thanks for the comment. Happy New Year!

[@shooter77us]

These mills can be trammed using shim stock under the column.

[@BladesIIB]

Shooter77 - Good to know, thanks for the comment. Are there shims that will stay in place as you move the column up and down? Or do you need to redo every time you move it up or down?

[@BladesIIB]

Shooter77 - thank you for the additional reply. I accidentally deleted it while trying to reply 🙈 but I understood your instructions. Regular shim stock around the base of the column. Just listen the bolts set it once and it will be set no matter where you move your column up and down. Makes sense. Thank you!

[@MrMattydavee]

You adjust the tram of the round column with shims. Where the column bolts to the base. It’s a bitch but can be trammed

[@BladesIIB]

@MrMattdavee - Yes, thank you. I learned this after posting. I have not tried it yet but very glad to know there is an option when I need it. Appreciate the comment.

[@MrMattydavee]

@@BladesIIB love your channel and the knowledge you bring to everyone.

[@BladesIIB]

@@MrMattydavee Thanks! Really appreciate the feedback.