Newbie- mill (cnc) footprint / buying soon looking for opinions

[topls64]

Hello. I posted the below in the wong forum, but things may have changed. I'm still looking for the lathe and mill footprints, but I have been looking into the X3, so add tha one to the list.

I still have a lot of research to do (its a big forum - give me time), but if anyone wants to chime in and sway me toward one mill or the other please do. I'd especially like to hear X2 owners impressions of the X3.

Thanks.




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Original post moved from mini lathe forum.
It was late. I don't know why i posted it there.

HF X2 mill (cnc) footprint
I'm going to buy a 7 x 10 mini-lathe and X2 mill to convert to cnc. I need to make room for them (and an enclosure for the mill), but have not found any good dimensions.

Can someone tell me the footprints of the lathe and the mill with nema 23s on them?

Thanks !

[Regnar]

I am about to make my enclosure for my X2, CNC Fusion Kit, Nema 23's and the foot print of it is going to be 24" deep by 39" long. This will give me about 2-3 inches of wiggle room all around. I can hold up a tape measure to it tomorrow and give you better dimensions.

[topls64]

No need. That will give me a good idea of bench space for now. I thought it may need to be deeper than 24 inches.

[tauntdesigns]

Before I added motors to my X3, I had built a bench for it, and made it 24" deep by 36" long. I now need to build a new one to accommodate the extra space that the motors and motor mounts take up. I haven't measured how much as I'm not ready to build an enclosure yet. I can measure it next time out in the garage for ya.

Later,
Jack

[Hunter12]

My enclosure for a Taig MicroMill is 24" x 42". Added a few extra in length just in case.

[topls64]

Originally Posted by tauntdesigns Before I added motors to my X3, I had built a bench for it, and made it 24" deep by 36" long. I now need to build a new one to accommodate the extra space that the motors and motor mounts take up. I haven't measured how much as I'm not ready to build an enclosure yet. I can measure it next time out in the garage for ya. Later, Jack

Yes, please do. I'm about 90% sure I'm going to order an X3 and 7 x 10 lathe from Grizzly Monday.

Jeff

[tauntdesigns]

Jeff,

Using my eyeball and a tape, I measured from the end of my x-axis motor to the other end of the table plus axis travel and get 44" (inches) or so (eyeball). Measuring from the end of the y-axis motor to the back of the machine and get 32" (eyeball).

Be careful, this stuff is addictive and can put a hurtin' on the bank account.

Jack

[topls64]

Thanks Jack. How much would the handwheels add ?

Be careful, this stuff is addictive and can put a hurtin' on the bank account.

Yup, sure does snowball quickly. Was looking at mini-lathe.com, found out about the mills. Then LinuxEMC. So I dug out the steppers and drives my brother gave me 15 years ago, grabbed the old computer and a power supply and off we go...

[tauntdesigns]

Jeff,

I'll have to dig out the hand wheels, got them in a box somewhere.

Are you planning on building you own cnc kit?

I started out looking at a X2 with self built kit and then saw the X3's and Zay7045 mills and wanted bigger and bigger. I went with the X3, the Zay was to big for my space.
Then I decided to get Gecko drives instead of building my own drives.
Then I couldn't wait any longer and bought a cnc ballscrew kit for the mill.

My hobby got expensive real quick. Now I can't stop, I'm building a cnc lathe too.
Jack

[topls64]

Ordered the X3 and a 7x12 lathe from Grizzly. Converting both to cnc. Don't worry about the handwheels, the machine will be here in a few days.

I also was looking at the X2, but I feel the money spent on the X3 is well worth it. The Super X3 looks nice, but the features it adds seem redumdant for a cnc conversion - ie don't need the spindle speed readout if I intend to replace the speed control anyway.

[topls64]

Originally Posted by topls64 Yes, please do. I'm about 90% sure I'm going to order an X3 and 7 x 10 lathe from Grizzly Monday. Jeff

FYI --

Sure enough, I ordered them both. The mill came in today - Thurs April 10, 2008 - in perfect condition. The crate had the typical scuffs and bumps, nothing that needed to listed on the bill of lading. Lathe is backordered till the 25th of April.

Getting the mill (crate) into the basement took two of us and a hand truck. 'Gently enough' and in the rain. Big fun. My third guy showed up as we hit the bottom stair. Good timing? The three of us somehow managed to get the mill up onto my bench. Honestly, that was the hardest part. Plan on a minimum of 4 guys, or use a hoist or winch if you can.

Dealing with Grizzly was fantastic. Took my order and answered my questions inside of 10 minutes. I called back the next day to check the status - it was being packed as we spoke. Person on the phone even asked for my email address for tracking. When I got home, there was the email from Saia Transport telling me exactly where the crate was, where it was loaded and offloaded, trailer changes, and an 8am delivery time. Sure enough, at 8:30 there it was.

Can't do much tonight. Have to hit the store to get grease and a gallon of WD40. Will do the break-in Friday also.

[tauntdesigns]

Congrats on the new arrival,

I took mine apart to get it on the table... weak friends

Here's a link to a handy little pfd file on X3 mill preparation:
http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/projec...on%20Guide.pdf

Jack