Sieg X2 Milling Machine

[jmshep]

I dont want to open a debate on selecting a milling machine but for vaious reasons I have set my sights on a SIEG X2 or one in its various disguises. (Price, fit available space and one size bigger that what I need at the moment) However I note that Arc Eurotrade have discontinued it. It is still availabe from Axminster (at the best price as far as I can tell) and from Chester.
Does any one know why it may have been discontinued?

[alanstepney]

I cant say why it is discontinued by one supplier.
However, if you do buy it, from the other two firms that you mention, I have heard more good reports about Axminster than about Chester.
It seems that Axminster has the better after-sales support should it be required.

[firebird]

Hi

I have just bought A X3 from ARC. I would strongly reccomend you ring Ketan at Arc eurotrade and have a word with him. I must say right now that I have no connection with arc other than to be a very satisfied customer. Arc has an after sales service second to none. They have their own workshops (unlike other suppliers) where all repairs are carried out by their own engineers. We were at the Harrogate model engineering exhibition yesterday (Saturday) where arc had a stand with the X3 on offer at £650.00. I don't know if your budget could stretch that far but I would advise the bigger machine would be better and should cope with all your (and my) future needs. I have the X1 mill as well that I bought a couple of years ago from Axminster and have been very pleased with it. A good mate of mine bought the same mill from arc a year ago, cheaper, and his came with the extra long table!. I have since bought the long table and leadscrew from arc to convert mine. I say again ring Ketan at arc and ask him why he has discontinued the X2?

Cheers

[dickdastardly40]

Further to the above, Warco (no affiliation) sell a variety of similar mills to the X series but I'm not sure if there is a direct comparison. WM 14, 16 & 18

[circlip]

And if you stretch your budget by an extra £3K, Arc will sell you the full CNC version and that will REALLY p**s some people off on this site. But it looked really nice. Ian.

[dscott]

And if you look on their web site, there are 2 new cnc mills that we can all dream about for the next 10 years, or buy both as a his and hers and you can both spend lots of time in the workshop.!!!!!!!

David.

[steam4ian]

G'day jmshep

I have an X2 made by Sieg as far as I know. I am quite pleased with it; a better job than the lathe by all accounts.

There is at least one other manufacturer, that being "Real Bull". Don't be put off by the name, the general feeling is that the RB versions are better than the Sieg versions, certainly the lathe has some refinements. From pictures and specs you will find the RB X2 has a deeper table, X handwheels at each end, turned aluminium handwheels and a larger motor. RB use USA made circuit boards on the lathe so probably do on the mill also.

I think from pictures the Warco offerings are from RB.

I guess that by now you have bought your mill; let us know how you got on.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Ian

[jmshep]

Thanks for your comments - I took your advice firebird and spoke to ARC - They were vey helpful and explained why they had discontinued the X2. It was to do with some unreliability around the motor control that has now been modified but by the time this had been done and the fact that there was some strong competition on price, they decided not to restock it. They do however stock spares. The person I spoke to gave me a lot of tips about the X2 and was very positive considering I was not likely to be buying from them as they had no alternative machine. He did mention the WARCO version and it is from a different factory, probably the one mentioned above.
Full marks to ARC, I could not have wished for a more honest and informative reply.

Regards
John

[spamcanman]

I have recently purchased this from Warco it's been fautless www.warco.co.uk/productimages/documents/P51.pdf
the table is only 300mm so ideal for the smaller workshop but they do sell the same mill with a larger table. Wait for a show to buy it or travel to the showroom to get a show discount.