Grizzly G0704 review: a 7 x 27 mill/drill for the home machine shop
Grizzly's best-selling mill/drill by its own description, written from the specifications.
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A 372 lb mill/drill with a 2-speed gearbox, a spindle RPM readout, a 3 to 16 mm B16 chuck, three 7/16 in T-slots and a column that tilts 90 degrees left and right.
Who it is for
- A hobbyist who wants a first milling machine for brackets, fixtures, small engine parts and repairs.
- A shop that already has a lathe and needs flat surfaces and drilled patterns.
- Someone who wants an R-8 spindle so standard collets and tooling fit.
- Anyone who wants a stand included rather than building a base.
Who should skip it
- People who need to mill steel aggressively. 1 HP and a mill/drill design give light to moderate cuts.
- Shops that need CNC out of the box.
- Anyone who wants a quill with long travel; this machine's spindle travel is 2 in.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor | 1 HP, 110V, 12A |
| Spindle | R-8 |
| Speeds | 50 to 1125 RPM low, 100 to 2250 RPM high, variable |
| Spindle to column | 7-1/2 in |
| Spindle to table | 13 in |
| Spindle travel | 2 in |
| Drilling capacity | 5/8 in in mild steel |
| Table | 7-1/16 x 26-5/8 in |
| Table travel | 18-7/8 in long, 6-7/8 in cross |
| T-slots | Three, 7/16 in |
| Column | Tilts 90 degrees left and right |
| Weight | 372 lb with stand |
| Included | Spindle RPM readout, 2-speed gearbox, 3 to 16 mm B16 chuck |
What the spec sheet does not tell you
A mill/drill is a drill press frame with a milling table, and the difference is rigidity. The G0704 is not a knee mill. Its column and head are a single assembly, and cuts are best taken light and slow. The mini mill vs mill drill comparison explains the trade.
The 2 in spindle travel and the 13 in spindle-to-table distance limit what can fit under the tool. When you add a vise, parallels, a collet and a tool, the usable height shrinks quickly, so measure your typical workpiece plus fixturing before you buy.
Speed range is wide because the gearbox gives two ranges. Low range from 50 to 1125 RPM suits larger cutters and steel, and high range to 2250 RPM suits small end mills in aluminum. Use the feeds and speeds chart to pick RPM instead of guessing.
The 372 lb weight arrives on a freight truck, and the machine needs a floor that can carry it. Plan for a clean, level spot with room to crank the table through its 18-7/8 in travel. At 12A on 110V, give the mill a dedicated circuit.
Tooling is the hidden budget on any mill. The R-8 spindle accepts standard collets, but you will want a vise, parallels, an edge finder, a set of end mills and a way to hold the workpiece, and those purchases add up. Plan the first projects around what a light mill does well, such as facing small parts, drilling accurate hole patterns and cutting slots in aluminum, and add capability as you learn.
The honest weakness
The honest weakness is rigidity. A mill/drill chatters sooner than a knee mill when cuts are aggressive, and the quill travel is short. Backlash in the leadscrews is also common in this class, so expect to learn to climb or conventional mill with care. A buyer who plans production milling of steel should price a larger machine.
Grizzly direct vs Amazon
The Grizzly page lists current specifications and the manual. Direct purchase means one seller for the 372 lb freight.
The closest Amazon-sold alternative is a 7 x 27-1/2 benchtop mill/drill with an R8 spindle from another brand. Compare the motor, head tilt, table size and spindle taper before choosing.
MechMaxx 1.5HP 7" x 27-1/2" Benchtop Mini Mill Drill, R8 Spindle (VM25LD)This is the nearest match we could find on Amazon in the same class. It is a different machine from the Grizzly, so compare the spec sheets side by side rather than assuming they are equivalent.
Alternatives worth considering
Grizzly G0602 10 x 22 Benchtop Metal LatheThe G0602 is a 10 x 22 benchtop lathe, the usual first partner for a mill/drill.
Grizzly G4000 9 x 19 Benchtop Metal LatheThe G4000 is a 9 x 19 benchtop lathe with a full tooling kit.
MechMaxx 1.5HP 7" x 27-1/2" Benchtop Mini Mill Drill, R8 Spindle (VM25LD)A 7 x 27-1/2 mill/drill with a 1.5 HP brushless motor and an R8 spindle.
Keep reading
- Best benchtop milling machines
- Mini mill vs mill drill
- Feeds and speeds
- CNC feeds and speeds
- Grizzly G0602 review
- Best combo lathe mills
Common questions
Is the G0704 a mill or a drill press?
It is a mill/drill: a rigid column with an X/Y table, an R-8 spindle and a gearbox, designed for light milling as well as drilling.
What spindle does the G0704 use?
R-8, which accepts standard R-8 collets.
Does the G0704 come with a stand?
Grizzly lists it as a mill/drill with a stand.
Can the G0704 tilt?
Yes. The column tilts 90 degrees to the left and right.
This page draws on published manufacturer specifications and design reasoning. We have not tested this machine ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Specifications were copied from grizzly.com and can change, so confirm them on the product page before you order. WorkshopCalc is an Amazon Associate and a Grizzly Industrial affiliate. We earn from qualifying purchases.