I'm currently in the process of converting a HF44991 MiniMill. I was wondering if anyone have used the kit provided by Stirling Steele (http://stores.stirlingsteele.com/cataloglist.html). How does it compared to the KDN X2 Kit (http://www.kdntool.com/_sgg/m1m2_1.htm)

How long did it take you to perform the conversion?
I'm hoping to finish it in two months.

Thanx all

It gets good reviews here on the forum. Do a search on X2 and you should find several threads on the subject.

hi-

you can also check out our version of the cnc conversion plans for the sieg x2 mini mill cnc conversion plans (http://www.fignoggle.com/plans/cncplans.htm).

it's a rigid design and maintains manual function for those quick jobs you need to get done. there are plenty of pictures and videos of the machine in operation on the site. (and other stuff too)

thanks

I started with the "Advanced X2 Retrofit Kit" and added preloaded ball nuts, NEMA34 mounts, and a belt drive conversion kit (required with NEMA 34 motors for this retrofit). I also purchased castings with the kit (Initially I was thinking I might want to convert it back to manual one day- not going to happen, I'd rather buy another mill! :D).

The retrofit kit install time? A few hours, maybe? Other than tapping two screw holes in the top of the column, the whole kit is bolt-on (everything's pre-assembled!). Very fast install. Nothing to machine. Holes already tapped in the head for a Z-axis way cover (you can get bellows way covers from www.littlemachineshop.com , that's what I did- though, watch 'em, they will not gather enough to stay off the ways when the spindle is close to the table- I have a mod in mind to fix this, but for now I just clip a few folds together to keep it out of the way).

It's fast, it's easy, and all the "hard" work is already done.

If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. :D But, I'm sure folks that have done Ron Steele's conversion are happy with theirs, as well.

I don't know a whole lot about Ron's conversion- I think the Z screw runs to the side of the column. KDN's Z ballscrew runs through the casting- I think that's a better method.

The belt driven spindle mod is great, over 4k rpm's versus just over 2k with the stock geared setup. It's much more quiet, too. No gears to break (though, I never broke a gear on mine using it manually for a couple of years).

Fig, tell me something- where is that sound COMING FROM in the video on your site of your attempt using TCNC?

The retrofit kit install time? A few hours, maybe? Other than tapping two screw holes in the top of the column, the whole kit is bolt-on (


where are the holes tapped?


Fig, tell me something- where is that sound COMING FROM in the video on your site of your attempt using TCNC?

i probably didn't configure it the time + background noise?

The two holes are tapped into the top of the Z column, where the Sieg factory puts the plastic plate / cover (the cover gets removed for the conversion- I popped mine off running the head off the mill to clean it when I got it). It's to provide additional stability for the Z motor mount. My Z is solid AND fast!!! :D I've got a bit over 8" of travel in Z with this retrofit. I drilled and tapped it by hand, with a cheap tap, even. :D I have dual-shaft motors, and may mount some handwheels on it, but once I've got it finished up, I probably won't use it manually again.

It was a pretty harsh sound, like a rattling... You mention on your site to listen close to the audio... (fignoggle_badSounds.wmv)

I have an X2 converted with a cncfusion kit. Cncfusion will be hard to match. Everything fits perfectly, the price is nice, and customer service is A-plus.

Hey Fignoggle,
Great piece of work! I would love to have that setup. If you're going to do that much work, why not just replace the column and set it up from scratch.
Seriously, how long do you think it would take a good machinist to build to your plans? Would you sell a kit? How much?

I agree with hargray2. I too purchased the CNCFussion kit (made my own X axis mount and coupler). Excellent kit, perfect fit the first time. The hardest part was drilling and tapping the 2 holes in the column. The ballscrew on the Z axis is very fast and accurate. A1 kit at a great price!

Hey Fignoggle,
Great piece of work! I would love to have that setup. If you're going to do that much work, why not just replace the column and set it up from scratch.
Seriously, how long do you think it would take a good machinist to build to your plans? Would you sell a kit? How much?


thanks for the comments. i've been contemplating a kit. but for now i want to get one more important mod out - a quality acme screw and acetal nut combo for the x and y axes. it provides a great "feel" for manual machining while providing better drive efficiency than the stock screw and nut.

stay tuned...

it's do-able in one to two full weekends for the average machinist. i'm sure if you're a machinist by trade and have access to a full or even medium sized mill (even as small as the x3) you can move things along faster.