If you are looking for metal gears for your X2 mill or Lathes here is a site to check out. https://thehobbyistmachinestore.com

Web site was talk about in past forms.
And I have the Mill R8 & complete lathe set.
Have not installed or used the set yet. Waiting to wipe out the original plastic gears on the mill first. I know that if you mesh the teeth together on the gears proper it will be less noise. And the gears will last a very long time.
I decided to go with Gear drive vr's Belt drive. Im building my MOD X2.
And it will have a Treadmill motor powering the mill. I cut Cast Iorn & Steel. So I want a slower RPM -High Torque and good feed rate.
What I dont want is a chance of a Belt slip. If all your going to cut is soft metal. Go for a belt drive.

What I dont want is a chance of a Belt slip. If all your going to cut is soft metal. Go for a belt drive.

I have regularly used a 3 inch, 5 cutter FACE MILL on steel with my LMS belt conversion X2 without incident. The only time I could even imagine the belt slipping would be if a tool dug in and stopped the spindle. If THAT happened, I would be HAPPY to have the belt slip rather than destroy (even metal) the gears or spindle or fry the motor.

CR.

Crevice Reamer!
Please tell us the MAX depth you can go with your 3" 5 cutter Face Mill?
Feed rate & RPM?
If you look at a BRIDGEPORT Milling Machine. Is it gear drive or belt?
There is a reason why the Big boys use what they use.
I have used a Sherline Milling Machine for over 8 years.
Bottom line im sick of the belt not lasting. And the preformance of it sucks.
Plus everything about a Sherline is over price.
After I get my X2 MOD the way I want it. I will be selling the Sherline.
No more belts to replace for me.
Yes the belt will ether slip or break befor a .5 end mill will.
Then again if your making a cut that deep and too fast feed rate.
Your motor will be getting HOT real fast. You may end up burning up your motor befor the belt breaks. So there are good & bad points for ether type.

Hi Oldboy. You are obviously married to the metal gear concept. That's ok! It's all good.

It's a shame the Sherline has soured you against belts. Frankly, I think maybe you were pushing the limits of the tiny Sherline toy.

The X2 is 2 or three times the mill compared to the Sherline. The LMS belt is also much larger than the Sherline's puny belt. Neither one will let you hog out steel though. I just hope you don't expect Bridgeport performance out of the little X2--even WITH metal gears.

Oh, and of course when you outgrow the X2--You won't want to upgrade to the belt/gear driven X3 or the Belt ONLY driven Super X3 or X4. You'll probably be much happier with the oil bath geared transmission in the IH:

http://www.industrialhobbies.com/Products/square_column_mill_2.htm

CR.

Yep I was pushing the limits. Will be doing the same with my Mod-X2.
But then thats why im doing a mod on it. Larger-stronger mill table & alot more X&Y travel. "Z" will be a few inches less travel. I can live with that. And it will have that Treadmill motor with alot more torque-HP,Gear driven.
Next make it CNC. I have almost all the parts to cnc it.
Oh and yes I like that Mill you posted the Web site too. Very nice.

:cool: