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Sieg X1

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28ten:
Whilst making enquiries about grinding last week, I was told of an X1 mill that is for sale locally. I have seen the MEW articles, has anybody on here got any experience of using one? are they any good within their limitations? or should I hang onto my cash and get an X2 or X3 when I can afford it?

Brass_Machine:
A couple people here have them. With the extended table and such, you actually get more of a work area than the X2. HOWEVER, they are not as rigid as the X2 (itself a wet noodle) and no where near the X3.

That said, I have an X2. With some mods (it is a kit mill), it has become a little work horse. If I had the money though I would have gotten an X3 at a minimum. My suggestion, unless that X1 is cheap and comes with good tooling... save the cash for a X2 or X3.

One other thing, what do you plan to make with your mill? Train parts right? What is the primary metal you will be cutting? From aluminum the X1 and X2 do fairly well, with steel it is very shallow cuts...

Eric

rleete:
I have an X1.  Works fine if you do, indeed, recognize it's limitations.  First off, it's small.  So, it isn't gonna do for large parts.  It's not that powerful, so small cuts and slower feedrates are required.  Would I like a larger one?  Sure.  but getting a large one down into the basement would be problematic, and the price on this one was very good.  I got mine for less than $300 with a screwless vice, rotary table, clamp set and a couple of mill holders.  For that price it's a bargain.

One major advantage (at least to me), is that the spindle is MT2, which is the same as the tailstock on the mini lathe.  One set of mill holders for both machines, one set of drill chucks, etc.

One major drawback is that the head lock raises the spindle by a couple of thou, and drops it by that much when you let it off.  Letting off the lock in the middle of a pass could cause the mill to dig into the workpiece.  If you realize this, it's easy to avoid.

spuddevans:

--- Quote from: rleete on August 03, 2009, 04:15:06 PM ---One major drawback is that the head lock raises the spindle by a couple of thou, and drops it by that much when you let it off.  Letting off the lock in the middle of a pass could cause the mill to dig into the workpiece.  If you realize this, it's easy to avoid.

--- End quote ---

Just to add that my X2 suffers from the very same spindle-lock head rising. It seems that these machines ( the X1 and X2 ) are made with the same potential defects features.

Tim

28ten:

--- Quote from: rleete on August 03, 2009, 04:15:06 PM ---Would I like a larger one?  Sure.  but getting a large one down into the basement would be problematic,


--- End quote ---
Same for me  :bang: I would have to strip an X3 to get it in. and if I am honest price does come into the equation, I can get this for £200 + say £200 for tooling, the X3 would inc tooling would be over £1k. I don't want to miss a good deal, but as someone once said about 'buy cheap and buy twice'

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