chiptim
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 270
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Post by chiptim on Jan 13, 2009 12:56:29 GMT
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Post by AndrewP on Jan 13, 2009 13:50:27 GMT
I have the Chester version of the X1 to which I have added the long table from Arceuro and am happy with it within it's limits. You could also look at the X2 which I notice Arceuro have discontinued but Chester sell as the Conquest www.chesteruk.net/store/conquest_mill.htm. There are a lot more aftermarket goodies for the X2 like belt drive conversions etc. (many people seem to crunch the plastic gears but I haven't yet!). The biggest limitation I find is that with a milling cutter in the collet chuck I have roughly 140mm between the cutter tip and the table, not too bad, but stick a rotary table in there as well and it all gets a bit claustrophobic. No knowledge of the Warco I'm afraid. Cheers, Andy |
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Post by baggo on Jan 13, 2009 17:56:32 GMT
Hi Tim,
I think the Warco mill is basically the same as the X2 with a bit bigger motor. Most of these small mills are made in the same factories with slightly different specs depending on whose selling them on.
Like Andrew, I've got the Chester version of the X1 and it's fine within it's limitations. It's not very rigid so you need to take care with the amount of cut. The worst thing about it is that the fine feed to the quill is worse than useless. There's far too much backlash in it. Having said that though, I machined the castings for my Kennet tool and cutter grinder on mine which was way beyond the call of duty! Managed it though by only taking light cuts. It makes a big difference using collets to hold the cutters rather than the chuck
If you can afford it, I would go for the Warco (or similar) as it is a more substantial machine. Alternatively, keep your eyes open for secondhand machines. You could probably get a decent sized mill for the price of a new small one. That's what I'm doing at the moment.
John
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Post by spamcanman on Jan 13, 2009 19:39:37 GMT
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steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
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Post by steam4ian on Jan 13, 2009 20:01:51 GMT
G'day all
I have the X2 or equivalent which seems to be a Sieg product. I am quite pleased with it. It worked from the box which means I haven't got around to fettling it yet; too busy using it.
There is a better version (IMHO) from Real Bull which can be identified by having a deeper table and X travel wheels at both ends. My guess is that it has a USA sourced control board which I can recommend.I was too impatient to wait for one to become available so went for the Sieg which was on hand.
Really serious work would need an X3 but the X2 is a capable machine, I use it for steel, gunmetal and brass and couldn't manage without it.
Regards
Ian
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chiptim
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 270
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Post by chiptim on Jan 14, 2009 12:37:12 GMT
Thanks for all your replies.
I'm glad to hear the X1 is OK provided you don't expect too much as this is probably what I'll have to go for. Still over £300 with delivery and clamp kit.
I too was under the impression that the X2 was the same as the Warco mini-mill. And with the info about exhibition offers I'm tempted to drive to Ally Palace and do some haggling but not sure if I can make it. I'd ideally like the X2 but am a little concerned that it's maybe going obsolete (spares issue). I put this to Warco and also asked if they do the X1=micro mill with the long table - no reply so I'll give them a call.
Anyone know what the next large exhibition is in the southern half of the country?
Regards Tim.
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Post by mutley on Jan 14, 2009 13:45:50 GMT
Next Southern shows would be Guildford July 18th and 19th followed by Bristol in August.
Andy
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chiptim
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 270
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Post by chiptim on Jan 14, 2009 14:44:22 GMT
Thanks Andy.
That's a long time to wait!
I spoke to Warco who informed me of impending price rises (approx 10%) due to poor exchange rate. No proposal for their micro mill to have long bed like XL1 and mini-mill not going to be discontinued like similar from Arc Euro.
Tim
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Post by spamcanman on Jan 14, 2009 18:07:43 GMT
I would get to the show as they will be selling at there old prices plus the haggle, I'm very surprised they reckon only 10% increase Aster prices have gone up £1000 in the last 6 months due to the yen  |
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S.D.L.
Seasoned Member
Posts: 107
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Post by S.D.L. on Jan 14, 2009 18:42:15 GMT
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Post by alanstepney on Jan 14, 2009 23:01:57 GMT
... , Aster prices have gone up £1000 in the last 6 months due to the yen Do you mean the Japanese one, or the desire of more people to buy them? ;D |
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Alan
E-xcellent poster
Posts: 234
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Post by Alan on Jan 16, 2009 14:04:39 GMT
Hi Tim
I purchased the Warco Mini Mill some time ago. One thing I liked about it was it had TWO handles one either side of the table i found this gave the machine a bit more operational flexibility. I did have to fiddle about as the machine got older ie Gib strips and re- adjust the motor engagement with the drive gears (It was a bit noisey).
Anyway very happy, with all the other comments being valid, I also found out the after sales from Warco has been excellent.
Alan
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Smifffy
Statesman
Rock'n'Roll!
Posts: 943
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Post by Smifffy on Jan 19, 2009 5:27:14 GMT
I've got a Warco Mini and it's a great machine. Certainly beyond my capabilities, but that's not really difficult :-)
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chiptim
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 270
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Post by chiptim on Jan 29, 2009 14:31:36 GMT
Thanks for all your replies. I've decided to save for a slightly more substantial mill - maybe a second hand clarke and use this in place of my SIP pillar drill (space issue). The reason being I have a vertical slide for my ML10 so can mill small parts on this. Rigidity is a problem though so in buying a mill, I ideally need more rigidity AND the longer travel. A small mill not be any more rigid so I'll be patient and wait for something bigger...
Regards Tim
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Post by teakfreak on Feb 15, 2009 22:35:30 GMT
Befoe splashing out, have a look at what is out there generally and think very carefully about what you want! I have had a Warco Economy mill drill for the last 20 years or so but for a long time I have hankered after something bigger, and with a square column as I've had one or two nasty occasions where the cutter has snatched and swung the head round, despite it being clamped up as tight as I could manage. I also like Dr John's idea of having a vice at one side of the table and a rotary table on the other, so that the vice doesn't have to be clocked square because it has had to be moved, but the Economy's table was only 18" or so, barely sufficient to get them both on. I've been on the verge of buying VM30 type turret mill for a while, but dithering because the table wasn't much bigger. There didn't seem to be much in the gap between these machines and Bridgeports and their clones, which wouldn't fit into the restricted headroom in my garage. Then recently, I bid for an Aciera F4 on E-bay, and to my astonishment was the only bidder, thus picking up a toolroom quality vertical mill with imperial feedscrews, infinitley variable 50-3400 rpm , 32" table, suds, variablepower feed to both X and knee axes, quick returns, adjustable power feed stops all in good working order etc, plus tooling, for less than the cost of a VM30 clone. It's a fabulous machine for the money, and its footprint isn't that much bigger than the Economy mill on its substantial wooden stand! I already had a phase converter, so thats not a problem. In fact the only problem I have is manoueuvring it into place - it weighs a ton (literally!) in the restricted space I have. I think I have the answer to that, though and it shou;ld be installed and running in a few days time.
The point of this story? Well first, make sure that you have identified what you really want. I have bought and sold a few machines looking for the right one but its a lot less work to get what you really want from the off. Try not to compromise, because there will always be that nagging "what if I had..." doubt in the back of your mind. Go for quality, it pays in the end! There are bargains to be had out there but you have to be patient or lucky, or both!
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Post by engineernut on Feb 16, 2009 18:12:01 GMT
Befoe splashing out, have a look at what is out there generally and think very carefully about what you want! I have had a Warco Economy mill drill for the last 20 years or so but for a long time I have hankered after something bigger, and with a square column as I've had one or two nasty occasions where the cutter has snatched and swung the head round, despite it being clamped up as tight as I could manage. I also like Dr John's idea of having a vice at one side of the table and a rotary table on the other, so that the vice doesn't have to be clocked square because it has had to be moved, but the Economy's table was only 18" or so, barely sufficient to get them both on. I've been on the verge of buying VM30 type turret mill for a while, but dithering because the table wasn't much bigger. There didn't seem to be much in the gap between these machines and Bridgeports and their clones, which wouldn't fit into the restricted headroom in my garage. Then recently, I bid for an Aciera F4 on E-bay, and to my astonishment was the only bidder, thus picking up a toolroom quality vertical mill with imperial feedscrews, infinitley variable 50-3400 rpm , 32" table, suds, variablepower feed to both X and knee axes, quick returns, adjustable power feed stops all in good working order etc, plus tooling, for less than the cost of a VM30 clone. It's a fabulous machine for the money, and its footprint isn't that much bigger than the Economy mill on its substantial wooden stand! I already had a phase converter, so thats not a problem. In fact the only problem I have is manoueuvring it into place - it weighs a ton (literally!) in the restricted space I have. I think I have the answer to that, though and it shou;ld be installed and running in a few days time. The point of this story? Well first, make sure that you have identified what you really want. I have bought and sold a few machines looking for the right one but its a lot less work to get what you really want from the off. Try not to compromise, because there will always be that nagging "what if I had..." doubt in the back of your mind. Go for quality, it pays in the end! There are bargains to be had out there but you have to be patient or lucky, or both! Was it expensive to have it collected & delivered ? Presumably you had to get a company to do this ? Thanks Dave |
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Post by teakfreak on Feb 16, 2009 21:31:53 GMT
No, I hired a suitable 4-wheel trailer (£50 for the weekend) and collected it myself. It was lifted on to the trailer by block and tackle, and lifted off at my end using a 2-ton engine hoist. It'was a B****r to move once on the ground though! At the moment it is sitting on the hoist legs in my garage (workshop). I'm going to make some adaptors for the cast-in lifting eye and get it off the crane and onto the deck using a couple of trolley jacks. Once its on the floor it only then led to be lifted a millimeter or two using the trolley jacks as castors to manoueuvre it.
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Post by engineernut on Feb 17, 2009 18:28:41 GMT
No, I hired a suitable 4-wheel trailer (£50 for the weekend) and collected it myself. It was lifted on to the trailer by block and tackle, and lifted off at my end using a 2-ton engine hoist. It'was a B****r to move once on the ground though! At the moment it is sitting on the hoist legs in my garage (workshop). I'm going to make some adaptors for the cast-in lifting eye and get it off the crane and onto the deck using a couple of trolley jacks. Once its on the floor it only then led to be lifted a millimeter or two using the trolley jacks as castors to manoueuvre it. Thanks for info. I helped a friend a few yrs ago move a large mill. It was delivered by crane and left in drive, but we moved/rolled it about the workshop with pipes underneath and then crow bars to get the pipes out when in place.  |
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Post by teakfreak on Feb 19, 2009 11:03:43 GMT
That was to have been my plan too, but the base of my machine is not flat, so not really suitable for rollers.
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chiptim
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 270
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Post by chiptim on Feb 25, 2009 13:22:34 GMT
You're quite right. I think I could stretch from a mini mill or X1L to a Warco economy or the largest Clarke mill with a budget or around £400 or so but I'd be interested to know what else people have managed to accuire for a little more money.
Regards Tim.
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) You will only get this offer at the show as Warco want to get Chesters customers.
