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Chester ''CENTURY'' Variable Speed Mill.

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kellswaterri:
Hi all, I have given up on the idea of investing in a Wabeco  mill, they refused to bring their prices down and as I need the money more than they do...END of discussion...Sooo I am now thinking of the Chester Century variable speed mill, it has a 1 1/2hp. motor and I think would suit me for what I do...anyone use or handled this one...any comments would be appreciated,
 All the best for now,
                             John.

bogstandard:
John,

I extol the virtues of Chester machines all the time, purely for the backup service you can get from them.

If you are on the lookout for a large benchtop mill (as the century is), unless you are already committed to MT3 tooling, then I would look at a machine that has an R8 quill. It really is so much better than MT3 and you can get just as much tooling now as you can for MT3 and at the same price. The Century is a bit of an unknown model, and that should be taken into acount when it comes the time to buy third party fitments. They are either not available or only obtainable as full price accessories from the original supplier.

I know a few people that have gone for the Seig X3 and it's variations (including the latest version, at a higher price) and they have all been delighted with their purchase, once the obligatory strip down, clean and adjust has been carried out..

I am not saying don't buy the Century, as it looks a very capable machine. Just look at others in that price range, as you can get a lot more useable and desireable features for the same sort of money. Plus the spares backup for a popular machine will be much better, and most probably cheaper, should you ever need it.

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Milling-Machines/Model-X3-Small-Mill

This is just one easy access site, but they are available from many places, including eblay.

John

sbwhart:
Hi John

I went for the Seig X3 http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=691.0 and I've been very happy with it i had a problem to begin with but I got it sorted out OK with the supplier http://www.axminster.co.uk. I went to Axminster as I asked Seig who their main uk agent was and they told me Axminster, so i fugured they would have the best after sales but having said that i've also had dealings with Chester and found them very good as John said.

Hope this helps

Stew

kellswaterri:
Hi John and Stew, thank you for the replies, John I am fully geared up for m/t 3 as I have the Chester conquest mill...it is now going to be used soley as a Jig borer as I consider it not powerful enough to cope with what I am building only just 1/2 hp motor...Stew , the Arc euro mill is of similar power I believe...the constraints are on footprint of mill and motor power 1 1/2 hp...on the ''Century''...it still has the ''Plastic driven gear from the motor acting as a safety shear point but I think I will have more control with a more beefy motor...
All the best for now,
                            John.

bogstandard:
Please don't take it the wrong way, I don't think either of us were giving you the shove towards a different machine, just giving you the option to look further afield if you wanted it.

The choice must be yours and yours alone, it is your hard earned cash, and only you know if it will suit your needs.

Go for it and enjoy your new machine.

I hope someone can help with your original query.

John

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