Newbie- Almost set on a mill, but some Q's first.

[rezcar]

Hi Everyone,

Looking into getting an RF-45 clone, but had a question. What's the difference between the Sieg X3/SX3 and Rong-Fu RF-45 families?Benefits of both over the other? I saw someone's post on using an HF coupon at the local store and that got my mind turning again...

I've read all about the "get a BP, or an Industrial Hobbies, Syil, etc." but just can't afford it and don't have the time to re-furb an old machine (wouldn't even know how to inspect it!). I've also read about the low top speed of the benchtop machines, is there a belt drive conversion for an RF-45 clone? One day, years from now, I'll do CNC and VFD.

My first project is to make an aluminum flange for an intake manifold as the stock one doesn't fit under my hood. And some tool holders for my lathe's QCTP. Sounds like it will be multiple passes and slow feeding.

If possible, I'd like to machine a hole in an aluminum engine housing (peripheral port on a Mazda 13B), don't know if the machine is tall enough for this, perhaps the swiveling head will help. I don't expect to do this more than 2-3 times.
Then maybe brackets, emblems, bezels, etc. also.

And finally, anyone have experience with Penn Tool? They have a clone for pretty cheap Top Tech DM-45. I can't find anything about their warranty though. Reading here has taught me that Grizzly is probably out of stock, and Lathemaster will take a while to get back to me (I prefer email trails). I did notice that Grizzly's freight is cheaper and that they don't charge a sales tax to CA.

Thanks for reading my long post!
Owen

[project5k]

well from what i understand, the rf45 units are a round column, and thats just not what i would call an ideal situation for cnc.

I have an x3 that i've converted, and i'm extremely happy. My only issue, with the machine that is, is the spindle speed max, its a alittle slow for my taste, but there are ways around that.

I think its good that you have a couple projects already lined up for your future mill, that will help guide you towards a machine that will cover your needs.

on this aux port on the mazda engine, how big of a part are you talking about trying to mount? for some reason when you said 13b i pictured a rotary enging.. i dont know anything about mazda, so i may be way off base on that one...

[rc-monster mike]

The RF45 is a dovetail column mill - the RF40 is a round column. The Industrial Hobbies is a "big RF45" kind of. Like the X3, the spindle speed is the major limitation for aluminum work using smaller tools. As long as your work fits in the work envelope of the machine, I can't see how you could go wrong with the RF45, IH or Penn Tool variant of the same, though I can't speak personally to the quality of either of these machines. The Industrial Hobbies machine seems to have a good reputation here, though. They have a forum area as well - perhaps fishing around in there will be time well spent - if someone has a belt drive conversion for these machines, it will likely show up in that forum.

[project5k]

ahhh, ok, 45 vs 40, i didnt know the difference.... all i knew was that there was a "RF" machine that was a round, but in this case, guess not.

as for quality of machine, i'm sure that there is better out there, but my x3 really surprised me. i guess the stars aligned when mine was casted, cause right outta the box the column was dead on straight, according to all the tools i have anyway..

there are a few little things i would change, but its not a "flaw" just a couple personal preferences...

[rezcar]

Thanks guys, yeah, my 7x12 mill was almost perfectly aligned when I got it last month. They must be reading these forums diligently.

Anyway,project5k, yes it is a Mazda rotary engine.
This was the first attempt about two years ago. Pretty hit and miss. The thing is 15 inches tall, I forgot I had it sideways on the drill press, so that's an option. I'll need a good clamping kit.






I'll attempt it again later, but for now I'M planning on using the stock lower manifold and making an upper one with less height.

Back to the topic, Penn Tool came out cheaper than Grizzly or Enco and had a 1 year warranty. Don't know how their service is though vs Grizzly G0484. But it's about a $500 difference.

I guess my mind's made up! My main reason for the RF45 series was the larger spindle to table clearance vs the X3 series.

Thanks!

[rezcar]

But should I go for the X3 which is cheaper and on which the belt drive is more common? I will definitely be using aluminum for many of my projects.

[Crevice Reamer]

With a simple belt/pulley change, you can get 6K RPM on an X3:

http://www.donald-neisler.com/index....0-rpm-upgrade/

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73295

CR.

[project5k]

all i can say is that the x3 is a pretty solid machine, i mean i know that theres better, but is the better worth the extra coin? I've been using my x3 for over a year now, and the only thing that i've had go wrong with it was something that my own ignorance caused, and was easy to fix.

not to mention that the conversion to cnc was pretty easy with the cncfusion kit, and was in a price range i was willing to pay.

The only drawback is the spindle speed, and with a little tinkering that should be easy to fix as well...

I was going to try and pm you rezcar, but its telling me that your not allowing them.. i have questions about thoes motors, and would like to discuss, but its not appropriate on the forum.. can you give me an email addy or something?

[rezcar]

I love shopping :-) Didn't do crap for 8 hours all day at work except weigh out the pros and cons of each machine! And was set on the RF-45 clone til I saw this pulley swap. I was even researching making a separate high speed mini-mill. Thanks Crevice Reamer!

Now, with the pulley swap, I assume I can cut aluminum very well. What sort of depth of cut can I expect with just the new pulleys and the rest of the machine untouched. As this is a hobby, I can afford to take a little longer on my parts.

[rezcar]

My bad, that page showed an initial test of 0.625" @ 6K rpm. So the 1970rpm of the RF45 clone won't even do that???

[Crevice Reamer]

It is possible to fairly easily increase the X3 spindle to table height to 18 inches during CNC conversion.

CR.

[caleb105]

Originally Posted by Crevice Reamer It is possible to fairly easily increase the X3 spindle to table height to 18 inches during CNC conversion. CR.

Go on....