Sieg X2 in Canada.

[kinetiq]

Hi guys. I'm just starting out in the machining world as a new hobby interest. My background is Avionics and Robotics. I run the electrical department in a shop that makes Remote Operated Vehicles like you see supporting offshore oil operations. I just bought a Sieg X2 from Princess Auto in Coquitlam, BC. Busy Bee Tools had the same thing on sale for $698 and I was able to get PA to match that (plus PA's comes with the collet set and a great return policy). I'm usually down in Seattle every other weekend so I was on the fence about whether I should import one from HF in Bellevue.

With the exchange rate being about 1.25 these days, HF taking 2 weeks to bring a machine in, and the fact the crate wouldn't fit in my car, I decided to buy it locally in Canada. FYI, HF sells the X2 online for $599usd but in-store they are selling them for $489usd.

My plans are to eventually turn this thing into an X2 Freak just like Hoss' but for now I'm going to start with the basics- buying the basic tools, clamps, etc (from Littlemachineshop or Grizzly) and doing some manual machining. Those videos from MIT look like they could be a good primer. We've got lots of scrap 6061 aluminum around the shop so I've got plenty of opportunity to trial and error.

Just thought I'd get some info out there for anyone that was in a similar situtation.

Regards,
Kinetiq

[Kalvin]

Hello fellow Canadian,

Another option for you would have been to drive down to Bellignham to the Grizzly dealer.

I just did this last week. I purchased a X3 mill. (They also have a X2 model, in the nice green color.) I spent a couple days going back and forth on which to get, the X3 from Grizzly or an X2 from Princess Auto.

I had to fly down to Vancouver from Calgary and then rented a Van (less then $50 cad) to drive down.

Just thought I'd point out that you are close enough to Grizzly to make it worth while to drive down and buy tooling from them. I know I will most likely fly out to Vancouver again to drive down to buy other items when I require them.

Let us know how your conversion goes.

Cheers Kalvin

[kinetiq]

Kalvin, I had read of your trip down to Grizzly. That was quite the effort to get your X3 back to Calgary! I had considered getting tooling from Grizzly but their retail location only being open M-F until 5pm really does not work for me. Typically I'm passing by Bellingham around 730pm on Fridays and 930pm on Sundays. I do have an address I could ship to in Seattle, so that may be an option. I was referred to Daytona tooling which is across the road from our shop here. Looks like they have some decent pricing on the clamp kit and some calipers. Their prices seem a bit high for an end mill set so I may get that online from Grizzly. Thanks for you comments.

[pobanion]

If you are looking for a machine in Canada, I have an RF45/X3 hybrid machine that you might be interested in.

Pat
www.MachineToolsWarehouse.com