Metric mm or Imperial inches? Please help.

[alexccmeister]

Hi All,

Looking at buying an X2 mill from www.axminster.co.uk. The reason is that they sell their equipment in metric. I would prefer to get from the states as the same equipment is cheaper. However, can someone tell me if there is really any other difference other than the measurements? I normally works with metric but I wouldn't mind working in inches except its abit confusing for me having to think in inches. And all my cam drawings are all in mm. So a pain in the a@# to change them to inches. Please help.

Alex

[Pretorien]

I believe that, with the exception of the version sold by Micro-Mark, all of the X2's sold in the are actually metric machines (i.e. the X and Y screws are metric) roughly converted to inches with oldball indicating collars)

[alexccmeister]

I believe that, with the exception of the version sold by Micro-Mark, all of the X2's sold in the are actually metric machines (i.e. the X and Y screws are metric) roughly converted to inches with oldball indicating collars)

Thanks, so you are saying that the mill from Harbor Freight is actually in metric? Thats good news. I can buy from them then. What's with the spec in inches? I am just confused.

[SMW Precision]

Inch/mm whats the difference? Put a DRO on the machine and forget the dials. A complete 3-axis drop-in DRO kit is available on eBay for $350. Cures the measurement, backlash and accuracy frustrations with a mini-mill.

I'll admit I make and sell the Kit!

Ken

[philbur]

Forget the CAM drawings. A CNC mill can work equally well in either system regardless whether the leadscrews are metric or imperial. It could be bananas per inch, a slong as you know the convertion factor eveything is fine.

For manual use you need either metric screws with metric dials or inch screws with inch dials. A Metric screw with inch dial used to machine metric dimensions would be a nightmare.

I doubt you will save much importing from the States once you consider import duty/VAT, shipping and paperwork. Also how would you return a faulty machine.

Regards
Phil

Hi All,

Looking at buying an X2 mill from www.axminster.co.uk. The reason is that they sell their equipment in metric. I would prefer to get from the states as the same equipment is cheaper. However, can someone tell me if there is really any other difference other than the measurements? I normally works with metric but I wouldn't mind working in inches except its abit confusing for me having to think in inches. And all my cam drawings are all in mm. So a pain in the a@# to change them to inches. Please help.

Alex

[Pretorien]

Inch/mm whats the difference? Put a DRO on the machine and forget the dials. A complete 3-axis drop-in DRO kit is available on eBay for $350. Cures the measurement, backlash and accuracy frustrations with a mini-mill.

I'll admit I make and sell the Kit!

Ken

I'll second that - I have one of Ken's systems on mine and it simply eliminates all the fuss - as a matter of fact, there are some applications where I will switch from inches to metric in process (e.g. - parts dimensioned in inches with motor mounting holes on metric centers)

EM

[alexccmeister]

Forget the CAM drawings. A CNC mill can work equally well in either system regardless whether the leadscrews are metric or imperial. It could be bananas per inch, a slong as you know the convertion factor eveything is fine.

For manual use you need either metric screws with metric dials or inch screws with inch dials. A Metric screw with inch dial used to machine metric dimensions would be a nightmare.

I doubt you will save much importing from the States once you consider import duty/VAT, shipping and paperwork. Also how would you return a faulty machine.

Regards
Phil

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your comments. I guess you are right. I would really still prefer to have the machine calibrated in metric through and through. I was brought up with metric and I can picture everything in metric. With inch, I just couldn't picture inches with my cam model. I can understand what you are saying though, but with inch leadscrew and metric dial, won't i get confused somewhere along the line? FYI I am going to just start with manual first before retrofitting with a CNC unit.

To be honest, I have not touch a mill before but the pictures I saw of these mills does give me some idea of what it really would be like to have it in front of me.

What I don't want to do is to CNC mill my cam design and having to convert everything first before milling. If the software can convert that automatically for me, that will be great.

[alexccmeister]

I'll second that - I have one of Ken's systems on mine and it simply eliminates all the fuss - as a matter of fact, there are some applications where I will switch from inches to metric in process (e.g. - parts dimensioned in inches with motor mounting holes on metric centers)

EM

Is it very easy to just switch between system?

Now I am getting abit concern about getting the unit from the states. Should the unit be faulty, I am F#$@$d. But I really don't have any choice, we don't have a dealer here where I come from. And the only place I can get online is either the states or UK. None here in asia. Hmmm, maybe I should start thinking about opening up my own store selling mills and lathes.

[Pretorien]

Is it very easy to just switch between system?

Now I am getting abit concern about getting the unit from the states. Should the unit be faulty, I am F#$@$d. But I really don't have any choice, we don't have a dealer here where I come from. And the only place I can get online is either the states or UK. None here in asia. Hmmm, maybe I should start thinking about opening up my own store selling mills and lathes.

Couldn't be easier - just push a button (system does not lose its 0,0 reference when you switch) Maybe you can buy one directly from Sieg - as I recall, some people were doing that with the X3 before it was imported here (US)

EM

[alexccmeister]

Couldn't be easier - just push a button (system does not lose its 0,0 reference when you switch) Maybe you can buy one directly from Sieg - as I recall, some people were doing that with the X3 before it was imported here (US)

EM

Thanks EM,

Just got a message back from Harbor Freight, I am afraid they can't export the unit out. Too big. And the UK side, the shipping is more expensive than the X2. So I am stuck. But I found this website, very interesting. Base in China.

http://syil.com.cn/products.asp

Legitimate or something else. I am chinese, but I myself is wary of chinese company claiming to be legitimate business when they have just operated for 3 years. Has anyone had experience ordering from them?

[alexccmeister]

Finally got the website to order from China. Its sieg own website. Thanks EM. I have made some enquiries for the X2 and higher model. Fingers crossed.

[Jay C]

If you are going to advertise that you have a drop-in DRO system for sale, it might be a good idea to have your website ready with information. It looks like you just started what with all the boilerplate stuff on your website.

So where can one get more details about your offering?

Inch/mm whats the difference? Put a DRO on the machine and forget the dials. A complete 3-axis drop-in DRO kit is available on eBay for $350. Cures the measurement, backlash and accuracy frustrations with a mini-mill.

I'll admit I make and sell the Kit!

Ken