hello all im jon from liverpool in the uk, this is my 1st post here and id just like to say great forum lots of useful info and clever people!

im looking for my 1st mill. im looking for something like the x3 although tbh at £900 plus it seems abit pricey to me. i came across these machines xj20 (http://www.amadeal.co.uk/xj20.htm) and ama20lv (http://www.amadeal.co.uk/ama20lv.htm) . Now to me the cheaper machine seems to be the better machine but is it? i quite like the 90deg tilting head of the second machine i think it could be quite useful, but is it really?
id also like to convert to cnc in the future (one step at a time) but doest anyone know of a good conversion kits for these machines, i have some links to similar looking machines cnc conversions from using the search function, but links to kits that would defo fit would be great. And lastly what converter should i use to run one of these off or would i be better to change the motor?

best go dust my old college folders off now to remember how to work one lol

many thanks jon

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-SIEG-Axminster-SIEG-X3-Mill-Drill-377295.htm

www.axminster.co.uk has some nice machines, and they are quite cheap.

The XJ20 has less X travel, but more Y travel. It has a 3-MT spindle instead of the 2-MT found in the AMA20LV. It's a lot easier to find tooling for the 3-MT spindle. The XJ20 also has a bigger motor, and it's cheaper. It seems more sturdy too (weigths more).

Conversion kit? You could probably machine it yourself. I have never seen a kit for this type of mill. The X3 that I posted a link to has lots of CNC kits. If you need to find parts, I might be able to help you out with some useful links.

Hi Jon,

I have a sieg x3 myself, and did the conversion with a kit from cncfusion. As blight said axminster is a good supplier, i got my x3 from there, and the delivery was pretty fast. www.arceurotrade.co.uk would be another option, as they also stock the x3 in uk. Arc were cheaper, and offer some extra prep work on their machines.

I was also on a budget, and put as much into the machine as i could. That said by the time i have all the tooling i want it will have cost more then the machine itself, so dont forget about those costs.

Good luck with the new hobby.

the ama20lv is the same thing i got from garant so far i am quite impress with its capacity even if the motor is only 7/8 and it as a mt2 taper also i dont know about europe but i have noticed more tool then before that have mt2 taper but it is also true that r8 taper is better if you intend on eventualy upgrade to a bigger machine WEISS the company that make those machine also as a new machine the 30 model wich is available with mt3 or r8 taper it is more expensive then a x3 or super x3 but is alot bigger its in between the superx3 and a rf45

here is a link to the post of my wsm20v wich is word for word the same a the ama20lv to give you and idea i was able to make a small fly cutter out of inconel with it taking 0.015" cut full mill with a 1/2" niagara carbide endmill
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39377

Not sure if you have seen these but may help.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40213 XJ20

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40833 ama20vl I think.

John

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40833 ama20vl I think.

John

actualy no the bf-200 as a 850watt motor copared to the 600watt ama20vl wich i think as is the case with my mill is its weak point more then the mt2 taper

hi thanks for the speedy replys i just cant make my mind up!

ive sort of decided against the x3 for the reasons in the other thread on the xj20 (ive also seen the simalar looking machines threads to the ama20lv thanks), but the xj20 thread doesnt have a conclusion yet. i think more y travel would be better than more x travel but theres 100mm difference between the two machinces in the x and only 25mm in the y is 25mm worth loosing the extra 100mm??
as i dont have single phase supply i would have to swap the motor or use a converter so if i swapped motors i could put a 1000w i the ama20lv i suppose but then that would £700 plus the cost of the motor and the xj would be £600 plus the cost.

I got my mill from the same seller (XJ20) and looked at both machines. I also know he sells http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320123326475 and will have some soon (also available for less with out the power feed). In hindsight I would have waited for one. Would be worth emailing and finding out when it will be available again.

John

if the ama20lv is the same as mine the actual travel of the y axis is 185 and i am certain that with slight modification i could get 200+ of travel....you know little shot of grinder here and there ;)

Doh. Thought this was lost, please see post 12.

ooo that sounds good! will have to send him a email

thanks for the reply

Hi all,
For those of us in the UK there is a sensible compromise. The XJ20 is a nice solid machine (usual caveats - it needs stripping/cleaning completely, plus repainting if you like neatness). I bought mine from harryuk123 on ebay in Feb and have been pleased with the machine, Hugh's service and the price :). I chose the mill for it's larger y-axis movement (bigger than x3); if you want a larger x-travel though he sells the 800mm long table of the xj25 as a spare part (~£40 plus p&p, comes in next shipment though, ~8 weeks). If you are thinking of swapping the machine to ballscrews anyway you have a pretty decent work envelope for much cheapness...
Do have to say though for anyone thinking of cnc'ing a xj20 you will need access to another mill to pocket the saddle for the x-axis ballnut, only 28mm clearance.

just recieved a email back of hugh he is not 100% sure if the larger table will fit but he said he would find out for me.

Hi all,
For those of us in the UK there is a sensible compromise. The XJ20 is a nice solid machine (usual caveats - it needs stripping/cleaning completely, plus repainting if you like neatness). I bought mine from harryuk123 on ebay in Feb and have been pleased with the machine, Hugh's service and the price :). I chose the mill for it's larger y-axis movement (bigger than x3); if you want a larger x-travel though he sells the 800mm long table of the xj25 as a spare part (~£40 plus p&p, comes in next shipment though, ~8 weeks). If you are thinking of swapping the machine to ballscrews anyway you have a pretty decent work envelope for much cheapness...
Do have to say though for anyone thinking of cnc'ing a xj20 you will need access to another mill to pocket the saddle for the x-axis ballnut, only 28mm clearance.

Hi,

Very interested to hear about the longer table what exactly do you get for £40; table casting and screw?

John

£40ish is just for the main table casting, not the end plates or the screw. Both tables (xj20 and xj25) are 180mm wide so I thought I'd take a punt. My order is in and should be here in the next few weeks, I'll let you know how it works out.
Steve

Thanks Shedaholic I look forward to an update.:cheers:

John

just received another email of hugh and its good news he received a email of the manufacturers confirming that tha larger table will fit with the longer lead screw. so mines getting ordered tomorrow, as hes informed me that the next shipment of machines the price will be going up and if you look at his ebay shop its already £25 more than his website because of ebays fees. although i havent a clue where im going to put it as ive got to build the shed/workshop yet.