XJ20 what do you think please?

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi all,

I’m looking for a bench top mill to CNC convert and came across this.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/XJ20-Milling-M...QQcmdZViewItem

I’ve searched far and wide but have found no information so I am hoping you guys will have some opinions or even experience with this one? Looks to be good value for money as it seems to be close to an X3 super but half the price.

Thanks for any input, as always it is very much appreciated

John

[The Blight]

I have no idea about accuracy or anything, but that price is truly amazing, and even if it had crappy leadscrews and ways, I would buy it. Some lapping and ball screws would do a lot of good.

I wonder who makes that. I think I have seen it before.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Originally Posted by The Blight I have no idea about accuracy or anything, but that price is truly amazing, and even if it had crappy leadscrews and ways, I would buy it. Some lapping and ball screws would do a lot of good. I wonder who makes that. I think I have seen it before.

Thanks for taking the trouble to look

All I know is when I Googled it all I got was this one link http://www.made-in-china.com/china-p...g-Machine.html

And this as the manufacturer.
Sunca (H. K. ) Ltd.

As for ways and ball screws they would be the first thing to sort.

John

[Kipper]

Looks similar to a Warco mini mill....or a Sieg X2 They seem a little small and overated....Just my opinion though

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Originally Posted by Kipper Looks similar to a Warco mini mill....or a Sieg X2 They seem a little small and overated....Just my opinion though

Thanks Kipper,

It does look similar but if you read the specs it has far more capabilities.

X2 weighs 68Kgs approx this one weighs 175kgs

• 1000W Motor
• Drilling Capacity : 20mm
• Face Milling Capacity : 63mm
• End milling Capacity : 16mm
• Longitudinal travel : 350mm
• Cross Travel : 200mm
• Working table size: 600mm x 180mm
• Max distance spindle to table 400mm
• Spindle taper : MT#3/R8/SK30
• Spindle bore: 20mm
• MT3 spindle supplied unless specified
• Spindle Speed: 50 - 3000rpm
• Spindle Rotary Angle -90°/+90°
• Gross Weight is 175Kg.
• 1020mm x 570mm x 720mm Packing HeightxDepthxWidth
• Instructions enclosed.
• Accessories available.
• American circuit board
• 240volts 50Hz.
• Full after-sales service provided
• Accuracy report included

John

[philbur]

To be honest it doesn't look like a 175 kg. Also the column looks a bit under sized for 1 kw. Beware, check it out further before putting your money down.

There's a reasonable chance it's a top quality boat achor.

Regards
Phil

Originally Posted by Oldmanandhistoy Hi all, I’m looking for a bench top mill to CNC convert and came across this. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/XJ20-Milling-M...QQcmdZViewItem I’ve searched far and wide but have found no information so I am hoping you guys will have some opinions or even experience with this one? Looks to be good value for money as it seems to be close to an X3 super but half the price. Thanks for any input, as always it is very much appreciated John

[The Blight]

This http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/XJ20-Milling-M...QQcmdZViewItem
And this http://www.made-in-china.com/china-p...g-Machine.html
Is not the same mill.

The one on ebay doesnt look too much like the X2. The 2nd one is an X2. The one on ebay has a lot more travel and the fine feed has been moved further down on the head (which I have never seen on any X2 before). It also seems like the head is taller.

Out from the specified table travel and size, I would say that it can easily be 175kg.

I know I have seen that machine before! I will post back when I find the one I'm thinking about.

Anyway, the collumn does look a bit too small, but it's hard to tell. You should send the seller an e-mail and ask for some more pictures.

Edit: Found a supplier
http://www.amadeal.co.uk/xj20.htm
Take a look at this supplier. He has lots of machines in the UK.

Edit2: And a topic about it
http://www.modelgeeks.com/Uwe/Forum....3665/Xx-vs-XJx

Edit3: Seems like the XJ12 is the same as the X2 mill. The XJ20 is bigger, and there is also the XJ25 which is a lot bigger.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi,

The Blight

Thanks for the other links and the trouble you have gone to.

It looks to me as if this mill is a scaled up X2. I already have the X2, bought in haste and now wish I didn’t. This one has the same power and more travel than the sX3 but the column is less beefy and it looks to use rack and pinion to elevate the head with no quill. The other big difference is the price; over here the sX3 is around £950 this one will be around the £600 mark after I negotiate an off Ebay price. So I suppose the question is it worth the saving of £350?

Philbur
Thanks for your input it is appreciated.

I agree with your point about the column and it does look like the weakest link in this machine. If I were having problems with flex I could reinforce it as has been done here http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/...;t=16735;st=60 but the full height of the column. This would be a large chunk out of the £350 saving but I would end up with a stiffer column than the X3 if designed properly.

XJ25 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=320123326475

• 1200W Motor
• Drilling Capacity : 25mm
• Face Milling Capacity : 80mm
• End milling Capacity : 20mm
• Longitudinal travel : 550mm
• Cross Travel : 200mm
• Working table size: 800mm x 180mm
• Max distance spindle to table 400mm
• Spindle taper : MT3
• Spindle Speed: 50 - 3000rpm
• Positive Spindle Lock
• Adjustable gibs
• Spindle Rotary Angle -90°/+90°
• Net Weight is 148Kg
• Gross Weight is 185Kg.
• Packing size 920mm x 600mm x 1000mm.
• Instructions enclosed.
• Accessories available.
• American circuit board
• 230Volt 50Hz (single phase)
• Detailed Accuracy Report included

This machine looks to be a much better buy at only £800 but again does the column look weak? Also this is not in stock and could be months before I could get one.

I will contact the seller of these machines as he looks to have the best prices in the UK and get more information.

John

[digits]

Hi - are you opposed to buying a normal X3? If you are going to CNC it, will you make any use of the SX3's tilting head and tapping feature anyway?

Axminster have the X3 for under £700 at the moment - well, £750 delivered:

www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=377295

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Originally Posted by digits Hi - are you opposed to buying a normal X3? If you are going to CNC it, will you make any use of the SX3's tilting head and tapping feature anyway? Axminster have the X3 for under £700 at the moment - well, £750 delivered: www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=377295

Hi digits,

I have looked long and hard at the standard X3 and am having trouble getting past the 600w motor. The last thing I want to do is in 6 months wish I had more power. I am hoping to put the mill to work to make me some money so the power is relevant. Also the extra travel of the XJ20 and XJ25 is appealing.



John

[MIKE JEFFERS]

depends what your doing ,i have x1 and x3 mills the usual problems crop up
lack of size being most prevalent
but i,d recomend the x3 as a good all round mill ,however if you've got the
space a b/port interact would be my chioce. old manual j head b/ports/clones
are cheap these days too

that xj20 looks like a chester mill i've seen (as well as others)

mike

[digits]

Originally Posted by Oldmanandhistoy Hi digits, I have looked long and hard at the standard X3 and am having trouble getting past the 600w motor. The last thing I want to do is in 6 months wish I had more power. I am hoping to put the mill to work to make me some money so the power is relevant. Also the extra travel of the XJ20 and XJ25 is appealing. John

I hear that! Though, however much power you have, I'm sure you'll want more in 6 months anyway!

Have you considered a secondhand machine? If weight isn't a concern, you might find something nice here : www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/ - I haven't dealt with them myself though.

Are you going to use your X-2 to make your CNC conversion parts, or the new mill?