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Post by deverett on Dec 5, 2011 13:05:33 GMT
If you have a choice of spindle taper, I would suggest you consider having the same as your lathe - if appropriate. Saves possible duplicating of tools. My small mill takes 2MT - the same as my Myford lathe.
Dave The Emerald Isle
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David Thompson
Active Member
Building 'Marquess', 3 1/2" gauge.
Posts: 46
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Post by David Thompson on Dec 5, 2011 15:52:33 GMT
I thought the same and bought my X3 with an MT3 spindle to match my lathe. It seemed the obvious and economical thing to do, but now I wish I had chosen the R8 option because it takes quite a hammer blow on top of the drawbar to free the Morse taper. I have never needed to move work between the two tools, and the only tooling I swap between them is the Clarkson endmill holder, which I would have had to duplicate if I had gone along this route.
Incidentally, having mentioned the X3 power feed earlier in the thread, I have discovered that Axminster do actually offer it for sale in the UK, though you might have to wait for the next delivery, as I believe I just got the last unallocated one from the next batch due in this month.
David Thompson
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2011 16:35:27 GMT
It seemed the obvious and economical thing to do, but now I wish I had chosen the R8 option because it takes quite a hammer blow on top of the drawbar to free the Morse taper. David Thompson David I don't know these mills, but taper shank quills should have a jacking nut on the top connected to a jacking pin. This is used to push the tool holder out at the end of operations, thus avoiding the situation you describe. I have to admit I can't find mine now, and I do what you do! JB
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2011 12:15:38 GMT
Whilst I also don't know the Sieg X3 mill welll, I have begun to learn a little about it during my research, ahead of perhaps/probably buying one. The parts list from Arc Euro www.arceurotrade.co.uk/machineparts/X3_Parts_List.pdf would suggest that the Drawbar (part 12) has only the expected M12 nut at the top for tightening but I cannot see any kind of jacking nut or pin. I think the good old 2lb hammer remains the 'un-jacking' system. Clearly, this must work fine for plenty of folk, but after my poor experience of drawbars and morse tapers for retaining ER32 collets in the lathe www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=48165, I am now committed to trying R8. I understand the shallow taper of MT makes it more difficult to remove, but my collet problem was that I had to have the drawbar very tight and then smash away with a hammer to remove it later! Dave
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Post by deverett on Dec 6, 2011 12:24:22 GMT
I thought the same and bought my X3 with an MT3 spindle to match my lathe. It seemed the obvious and economical thing to do, but now I wish I had chosen the R8 option because it takes quite a hammer blow on top of the drawbar to free the Morse taper... David Thompson 'Posh' milling machines have a captive drawbar with eject mechanism. One method is to have a top hat nut on the top of the spindle. As the drawbar is undone, it contacts the top hat and ejects the tool. Another system is to use differential threads on the drawbar. Normal thread for the tool and a fine thread in the spindle. A real PITA to use. Dave The Emerald Isle
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Post by sncf141r on Dec 6, 2011 17:32:22 GMT
'Posh' milling machines have a captive drawbar with eject mechanism. One method is to have a top hat nut on the top of the spindle. As the drawbar is undone, it contacts the top hat and ejects the tool. Another system is to use differential threads on the drawbar. Normal thread for the tool and a fine thread in the spindle. A real PITA to use. Dave The Emerald Isle My Sieg KX1 came with such an arrangement; I'm surprised that, if they put it on this machine, that they did not on all their others. It's a simple bit of kit to do. (Machine is MT2 spindle, btw) BTW - my Centec 2B, quill-feed vertical head; lock the quill, then a swift tap with the old persuader does wonders. Bearings still work, but I'd think that the self-ejecting arbour would be better to retrofit... JohnS.
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isc
Statesman
Posts: 708
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Post by isc on Dec 7, 2011 9:32:54 GMT
My Rexon mill has a threaded nose on the spindle, and on that is a nut (I think I read somewere of it being called a damping nut), when I have a cutter mounted in the taper with the draw bar i bring it down against the top of the cutter, When finished I loosen the draw bar, and screw the damping nut down releasing the cutter from the taper. Don't know if thats the correct way, but thats how I do it, don't like hitting the thing with a hammer. isc
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Smifffy
Statesman
Rock'n'Roll!
Posts: 943
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Post by Smifffy on Dec 7, 2011 10:45:25 GMT
...I use a hammer to 'eject' tooling from my MT3 taper (Warco Minor, I think).
I personally get a great sense of satisfaction from hitting anything with a hammer, so I consider it a bonus :-)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2011 11:05:49 GMT
Arc Euro tell me that the X3 does not have a captive draw bar system. All of the X3's are a knock with a hammer job.
They also say that delivery of the X3 I want could be as late April/May next year. They suggested Axminster so I will make enquiries there. Dave
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2011 8:27:57 GMT
I would prefer to get the purpose made stand for the Sieg X3 mill when I order it, but both Arc and Axminster have sold out. I need a narrow item the size of that stand as space is limited. What have others used successfully for the X3? Thanks Dave
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Post by greenbat on Dec 10, 2011 21:32:20 GMT
I'm also looking for a mill (in the next year, so time to save). Only difference is I want a decent size one for "other engineering" things-a bridgeport would be ideal, especially as I trained on one in my apprenticeship. I've heard mixed things about the clones though, can anyone advise?
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Post by greenbat on Dec 10, 2011 21:33:56 GMT
Oh, and regards the different tapers-at training school we had R8 collets, but with MT adaptors if needed.
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Post by Staffordshirechina on Dec 11, 2011 17:46:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2011 23:22:12 GMT
On that last post, the good news is:
-VAT is inclusive
but
- I'd have to take the roof off the workshop to get the mill in, use a road mobile crane to do so and probably strengthen the floor beforehand.
Thanks Les anyway
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2011 14:54:52 GMT
I have just had an email from Axminster who have said their prices will rise significantly:- Axminster SIEG X3/Imperial/R8 Mill Drill £996 --> £1230 Axminster ER32 Precision Collet Holder - R8 Order code: 910231 £42 --> £28 Axminster SIEG X3/Super X3 Floor Stand Order code: 210114 £191 --> £220 12mm T Slot Clamp Kit for Mills Order code: 951675 £36 --> £43
Also they now supply in early May, same as ArcEuro Dave
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Post by Nigel Bennett on Dec 23, 2011 19:20:45 GMT
It made me cringe each time I had to batter the drawbar of my Rishton VM60 to release the 2MT tooling. I made up a substantial C-shaped extractor with an M8 hexagon release screw and fitted it and tightened the screw to release the taper each time. It used to go with a hell of a bang and even then I considered it cruelty to the thing - never mind bopping it. When I got my current machine (Chester Lux) I insisted on an ISO 30 taper which releases with a vey gentle bop with a soft hammer.
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Uzzy
Hi-poster
Posts: 153
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Post by Uzzy on Dec 23, 2011 21:42:20 GMT
Must admit I was sorely tempted by the WARCO at Sandown £600 + instead of £800 + will need to have a good rethink if thats the sort of increase Axminster are looking at!!
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