face mill size for X2?

[isaac338]

My X2 is listed as having a max face mill capacity of 1 1/8", but the local metalworking shop only sells 2" indexable face mills. Am I flirting with disaster buying a 2" face mill for this small mill?

LMS sells one that's only 1 1/4", which is still over size, but I'd like to buy it locally for various reasons.

Any advice?

Thanks

[hoss2006]

Are you still running the stock plastic gears or a belt conversion?
If stock I'd stick close to the manufacturers specs, that's what they are for.
If you have a belt drive, a 3 inch is possible.
I ran a 1 3/8 face mill in cast iron with the stock gears on low, carefully.
I switched to a belt drive after pushing my luck running the 3 inch and broke a couple teeth.
The belt drive lets you go beyond factory specs but take note that it also
tops out at 60% higher speeds than the factory had in mind so some bearings
might not hold up.
I lucked out, still running the stock bearings at 6100 rpm. Knock on wood.
Hoss

[The Blight]

Thats just amazing for such a small machine. I'm glad your around Hoss, so that we get to see what this machine can do.

[isaac338]

Originally Posted by hoss2006 Are you still running the stock plastic gears or a belt conversion? If stock I'd stick close to the manufacturers specs, that's what they are for. If you have a belt drive, a 3 inch is possible. I ran a 1 3/8 face mill in cast iron with the stock gears on low, carefully. I switched to a belt drive after pushing my luck running the 3 inch and broke a couple teeth. The belt drive lets you go beyond factory specs but take note that it also tops out at 60% higher speeds than the factory had in mind so some bearings might not hold up. I lucked out, still running the stock bearings at 6100 rpm. Knock on wood. Hoss

Hoss,

Good info. I bet the 2" would work if I took it slow..

My mill came with steel gears, but I had to switch to plastic with the R8 conversion kit (mill came with MT3). The steel gears wouldn't fit on the R8 spindle. Hopefully I'll have enough money for a lathe soon, at which point I can bore the gears out.. or I could do it on the mill.. or I could make a belt conversion. So many options!

Thanks

[uptoolateman]

Littlemachineshop carries the steel gear conversion kit for the R8 spindle now, they also sell the belt conversion kit.