Mini Mill Capabilities

[chola]

Hi all

I'm at the difficult stage of trying to decide on the best mini milling machine option.


After doing some honest soul-searching and working out exactly what I want it for, and what I am likely to do with it, also keeping in mind any mates that have larger machines that can do what I can't I've decided either the
X1 or X2 machines would fit the bill.

My main use is model parts machined in alloy (1/8 scale cars), resin, plastic etc (no cast iron or steel) but even though these parts are small(ish), I still want a machine that can take some decent cuts. The ability to machine parts for my mini lathe (new top slide for example, including dovetails), would be very nice as well, so would either machine handle this, with the X1 just being slower due to lighter cuts, or is it just not practical on a machine this size?

Obviously the X1 is cheaper, therefore allowing a few dollars to be spent on accessories (rotary table etc), as well as being able to CNC it sooner, but the X2 is obviously the bigger machine (bigger capability).

I guess the real question is, will the X1 perform in a similar way (accuracy and speed), for what I want it for as the X2, or are there some major short commings I have not read about yet?

Sorry if these sound like dumb questions, but I've not seen either of these machines working (and probably won't be able to before I purchase one), so any first hand experience would be great.

Would be great to know from and X1 users if you have been disappointed in the machine and what job bought this on.

Would also be great to see some pics of parts machined on either machine, and roughly how long it took to do.

Apologies for the long post, but any info most welcome.

Thanks.

Colin

[drmico60]

Hi Colin,
I have an X1 mill and I am more than satisfied with it. There are limitation on the size of parts that can be machined but the biggest limitation is that it will not make big cuts in one pass. I machine some fairly substantial parts in mild steel and the mill copes but it takes time. In terms of accuracy I have no worries. Working to 0.01 mm is perfectly possible.
Kind regards
Mike

[chola]

Hi Mike,

Glad to hear you are happy with the machine.

Probably the largest part I am likely to machine would be a 2" diameter brake drum (1/8 scale car), with the alloy being about 7mm thick. Aside from the obvious 1 off parts (mounting brackets etc) where time is not an issue. I guess the other good thing is that being cnc'd it can be a set and forget job. I have a micro lathe that is cnc'd and same deal, just takes a bit longer to get some jobs done but very happy with it.

I would imagine if you are able to do mild steel, it should not have any real problems coping with alloys, plastics etc.

Do you have any pics of your work?

How do you find the travel on the x / y axis as I've read this to be a little limited and is ofted replaced with an aftermarket extended unit.


Thanks.

Colin

[drmico60]

Hi Colin,
You can see a pic of my latest project, a 50 mm boring head at:
http://i15.tinypic.com/4gqomll.jpg
This was entirly constructed on my minilathe and X2 mill.
Kind regards
Mike

[drmico60]

Hi Colin,
I purchased my mill with the extended table. This gives plenty of room for quite large objects and the travel is almost the full length of the table.
Here is a pic of my latest project, a 50 mm boring head for the X1:
http://i15.tinypic.com/4gqomll.jpg
Kind regards
Mike

[chola]

HI Mike,

Very nice, can't wait to make a few things like this. How do you reckon it would have went if made on the X1? What do you think the difference in actual machining time would be?

Thanks.

Colin

[drmico60]

Hi, Colin,
It was made on an X1! I guess you mean how would the machining time have been if made on an X2. I have no experience of larger machines but given that the X2 is more powerful and probably more rigid then I guess that the machining time would have been reduced.
However, the X1 is a very capable machine, it just takes a little longer.
Kind regards
Mike

[Jay C]

With the X1, the first thing anyone will advise is to get the extended Y base. That adds $80 in the US (can't imagine the costs to AU :eek). Next is a counter weight and maybe the longer table. The X1 looks easier to convert to CNC due to having a leadscrew on the Z. I've not played with my X2 yet as it's too cold in the garage, and I'm planning my conversion so I don't want to tram it only to disassemble it But, I love the solid feel of my X2 and having a bigger machine to do smaller parts is a lot easier than having a smaller machine do bigger parts.

FWIW,
Jay

[chola]

Hey all,

Mike, sorry for the confusion, the bottom of your first post said made on the minilathe and X2, even more impressive just being done on the x1! The machine looks like it can obviously handle reasonable cuts and is accurate (or you wouldn't have faith in making such a part!). Is your machine CNC'd?

Hi Jay, thanks for the input, I am definately considering the X1 with the extended base (actually over here I can get the X1 Super - larger table), for about $5 AUD more then the normal one so tha's a bit of a no brainer , the dilemma comes from the fact that I can get the X2 for $110 more! I know a lot of people would say just get the X2 (biggest and best you can afford and all that), but as I am not doing monster jobs, I need to work out if the extra money is really a waste for me, or are the extra benefits of the bigger machine (rigidity, motor power etc), something that I am really going to appreciate when machining an alloy part of 3" x 4", obviously would make a difference to machining cast iron, steel etc though. The smaller machine means I can spend the extra bucks on rotary table, stepper motors etc, belt drive kit etc....

I don't have a real budget in mind here, but still need to justify it to the Director of Domestic Operations (the wife)

There also seems to be a similar amount of aftermarket conversion / upgrade parts available for both machines as well, point taken on the simpler CNC conversion for the X1 though.

Thanks.

COlin

[MIKE JEFFERS]

have alook at arceurotrade they do the x1L wich has more travel than an x2
bound to be someone down under doing these
like my (cnc'd)x1 very much but i bought an x3 for the bigger stuff but
i havent cnc'd that yet