kx1

[ihavenofish]

Originally Posted by rc-monster mike While this makes sense on a larger machine, the Taig is a little baby and has no business making deep cuts. With coolant, chipping away at .025" or .03" DOC with a .25" bit is probably maxed out for this machine - deeper cuts would minimize productivity. The cutting tools will last for months this way anyways with a properly matched rpm and coolant. Rather than maximize tooling, how about minimize destruction of the machine and maximize productivity. The $2/month tooling cost is insignificant IMO, as the machine will not be nearly as productive trying to deep cuts and will likely push itself out of tram if you get too aggressive. - kinda like the last couple statements - the sweet spot is limited by machine rigidity and HP(neither of which is the Taig's claim to fame), so shallow cuts at high rpm and reasonably high feed rates will be most productive, cost effective and least destructive. I always followed the rule that DOC shouldn't exceed 1/2 of the cutter diameter and maximum tool length should be less then 3x the cutter diameter to minimize tool breakage and deflection(rules can't always be followed of course).

*eyes the thread title*

no taigs here
the sieg kx1 is far more rigid and accurate than the taig. its actually more on par with the kx3 for strength, which is in turn vastly superior to the manual x3.

the machine itself has NO issues with the type of cuts i was taking... they just werent safe for the tooling.

it takes over 50lbs of force to deflect the head .001" on this thing and thats more than the spindle will exert in most cases. we get something like 63lbs of force on a cutting edge in a 1/4" bit if it was stopped dead on a single edge. the bit will break before the machine.

[rc-monster mike]

Originally Posted by ihavenofish *eyes the thread title* no taigs here the sieg kx1 is far more rigid and accurate than the taig. its actually more on par with the kx3 for strength, which is in turn vastly superior to the manual x3. the machine itself has NO issues with the type of cuts i was taking... they just werent safe for the tooling. it takes over 50lbs of force to deflect the head .001" on this thing and thats more than the spindle will exert in most cases. we get something like 63lbs of force on a cutting edge in a 1/4" bit if it was stopped dead on a single edge. the bit will break before the machine.

I have had a cnc'd ext. table x1 and 6k rpm spindle setup - I wouldn't call it FAR superior to the Taig by any means. It is a little burlier and perhaps a little more rigid, but I actually preferred the Taig(better finish on the parts). It is still a small machine, though the limit is probably spindle power more than rigidity. Somehow I thought we got onto the Taig somewhere in this thread - I must be mixing up the threads! I apologize.

[ihavenofish]

Originally Posted by rc-monster mike I have had a cnc'd ext. table x1 and 6k rpm spindle setup - I wouldn't call it FAR superior to the Taig by any means. It is a little burlier and perhaps a little more rigid, but I actually preferred the Taig(better finish on the parts). It is still a small machine, though the limit is probably spindle power more than rigidity. Somehow I thought we got onto the Taig somewhere in this thread - I must be mixing up the threads! I apologize.

also to note... sieg X1 is NOT equal to a sieg KX1. the have the same general dimensions but dont share any castings that im aware. the kx1 also has ground ballscrews and other such fun features. it really is an impressive machine for the size and while i dont plan on abusing it, i wont be nursing it either.

[rc-monster mike]

It looks the same to me - not the stock x1, but the extended y travel modified x1 - the castings look unchanged aside from color- including the spindle(though they removed the quill). Ground ballscrews make a big difference I am sure. It looks a bit nicer than mine did - more refined and more bells and whistles, but it also looks largely the same - not a bad machine at all. I hope you have great luck with it.

[ihavenofish]

Originally Posted by rc-monster mike It looks the same to me

looks are decieving

i think the most relevant difference is the column on mine is wider and deeper and solid cast iron (not hollowed). this makes the dovetails wider, and the spindle head while looking similar is also wider. this is probably the biggest improvement in strength on the machine. it doesnt have the swivel base of course either which also helps.

the new kx1 has a wider column still, but its hollow - its like the x3 just smaller. i dont know if thats better or worse yet. ill probably see one at novakon in the next few weeks. the new one also has a redesigned head casting which is tramable and a faster 7k rpm spindle. id like to also order the way covers of the new model too, much nicer than mine.

so, experiences cnc-ing one of the many x1 variations is probably not a valid reference for the kx1 (old or new version).

[project5k]

Originally Posted by rc-monster mike Are you running coolant project5k? This alone can double or triple your feeds while providing a better finish.

full flood, coolmist 77

I guess you've never seen the pics of my rig....

heres a few of the pics i took while working on the conversion
http://www.jpcustomcrafts.com/new%20...cnc/Album1.htm

[rc-monster mike]

Originally Posted by ihavenofish looks are decieving i think the most relevant difference is the column on mine is wider and deeper and solid cast iron (not hollowed). this makes the dovetails wider, and the spindle head while looking similar is also wider. this is probably the biggest improvement in strength on the machine. it doesnt have the swivel base of course either which also helps. the new kx1 has a wider column still, but its hollow - its like the x3 just smaller. i dont know if thats better or worse yet. ill probably see one at novakon in the next few weeks. the new one also has a redesigned head casting which is tramable and a faster 7k rpm spindle. id like to also order the way covers of the new model too, much nicer than mine. so, experiences cnc-ing one of the many x1 variations is probably not a valid reference for the kx1 (old or new version).

Sounds like a better machine altogether. Mine didn't have the swivel z axis(not interested in that). The 2 biggest shortcomings I remember was the spindle motor was kind of wimpy and the stupid steel gibs on the table were near impossible to make smooth AND accurate - I ended up making my own brass gibs, but it was still an exercise to make it smooth. The taig, conversely, was smooth and easily produced superior finishes when tuned correctly(although it needed adjustment fairly frequently to keep backlash below .001").

[rc-monster mike]

Originally Posted by project5k full flood, coolmist 77 I guess you've never seen the pics of my rig.... heres a few of the pics i took while working on the conversion http://www.jpcustomcrafts.com/new%20...cnc/Album1.htm

Flood is nice - i use a fogbuster myself - pretty happy with it. Sounds like you just need more rpms for the small bits you use.

[project5k]

yep, 2k rpm just isnt getting it when i'm running a 1/32" endmill

thats why i end up with such long runs...