X2 VS Taig

[5artist5]

Ok I am looking to get a mill to do some CNC. I have a pretty solid 3D background and I really have always wanted to make my 3D models into real world objects. That aside I am also involved in the aircraft parts industry and I’d like to make some parts here and there for some extra cash if possible. For the time being I am interested in learning how to operate a mill and translate models into parts.

So I have been reading lots of threads here and I have narrowed the mill to either a Taig in the CNC ready configuration or an X2 with the CNC Fusion ball screw conversion package. They seem to be around the same size (around 4 x 15 Table) give or take and the price to have them both at the “CNC ready” state is about the same. But the X2 would have ballscrews at that point while the Taig would have adjustable bronze lead screw nuts.
The X2 looks more sturdy but I suspect that the Taig may be finer precicion.

What are the benefits of one over the other?

[Crevice Reamer]

You can't BUY a CNC ready-to-go X2. And if you DO CNC an X2, you have a home-made machine. When you outgrow it (and you will) and want to sell it on ebay, the Factory CNC Taig will probably have more resale value.

It's very hard to beat the value of the $1700 Deepgroove1 Taig/Gecko package:

http://deepgroove1.com/cncmill.htm

CR.

[5artist5]

I realize that you cant buy a CNC ready X2. If I were to go that way I would get the CNC Fusion Kit that comes with the ballscrews.

So X2 + kit costs about the same as the CNC ready Taig.

I see what you mean about resale though. I think I am more concerned with performance thought.

[Crevice Reamer]

An X2 can be CNCd for about $1000, (Including the cost of the X2) but not with ball screws.

If you are concerned with performance, and have the room and strong floor--Go with the much larger, stronger and more capable X3 to CNC. Of course, you'll need a lot more cash!

http://grizzly.com/products/Mill-Drill/G0463

If you get a Harbor Freight 20% off coupon, an X3 can be had for $800.

CR.

[Hirudin]

Heh, I'm a newb and a TAIG owner so I'm neither informed nor unbiased...

To me it looks like the X2 would probably be better for steel and cast iron* while the TAIG would be better for aluminum and plastic*.
*but still able to do other materials, just not as efficiently

Since I am a beginner, I figured it would be better to try to mill "easier" materials, like aluminum. So one thing that made me choose the TAIG over the X2 is the ER-16 spindle. IIRC it's >4 times faster (~11,000 RPM compared to something like 2,300 RPM) and I guess it's more accurate (the TAIG has less slop as far as I've heard). The faster speed lets me use smaller end mills and higher feed rates.

[5artist5]

Heh, I'm a newb and a TAIG owner so I'm neither informed nor unbiased...

To me it looks like the X2 would probably be better for steel and cast iron* while the TAIG would be better for aluminum and plastic*.
*but still able to do other materials, just not as efficiently

Since I am a beginner, I figured it would be better to try to mill "easier" materials, like aluminum. So one thing that made me choose the TAIG over the X2 is the ER-16 spindle. IIRC it's >4 times faster (~11,000 RPM compared to something like 2,300 RPM) and I guess it's more accurate (the TAIG has less slop as far as I've heard). The faster speed lets me use smaller end mills and higher feed rates.

Well I am a beginner for sure also, so this is all great information! Thanks for the replies so far. Now when you say that the Taig has less slop are you talking about spindle slop or slop in the screws or ways?

[5artist5]

I guess at this point I am leaning towards the Taig.
Looking at the Deep Groove setup it looks like the controller box has a Gecko 540 and it says it has a 38V linear power supply. I had heard that you want a 48 V power supply with the 540 setup and the 280 oz steppers. Any thoughts on this?

[Crevice Reamer]

I guess at this point I am leaning towards the Taig.
Looking at the Deep Groove setup it looks like the controller box has a Gecko 540 and it says it has a 38V linear power supply. I had heard that you want a 48 V power supply with the 540 setup and the 280 oz steppers. Any thoughts on this?

A 48V-50V PSU is optimum, but with the short travel of the Taig, 38V should be adequate. The G540 will run the motors PD fast--even at 38V. You can always upgrade later if you choose.

One thing that I WOULD change in DG1s G540 setup is to add the big red Estop switch on the front of the Box.

Keling has one for $10. Keling ALSO now has some nice Home/Limit switches:

http://kelinginc.net/CNCPackage.html

CR.

[hoss2006]

I'll give you some of the benefits of the X2 since you're only getting one side.

There are more accessories and replacement part suppliers for the X2.
There are more suppliers online and in stores worldwide to see what you're buying first.
There are more vendors selling CNC kits and complete CNC'ed X2s including stepper and servo versions.
There are TONS of free user mods and ideas available to make some really cool stuff for/with the X2.
With the Harbor Freight 20% coupon it's only $400.
It's easily upgradeable to ballscrews for much faster rapids.
Easy to add a power drawbar for a simple ATC that can be controlled by Mach 3.
Easy to add complete spindle control for use with Mach 3 and g-code, i.e. M3 S2500 will turn on the spindle at 2500 rpm. M5 shuts it off.
Just some food for thought.
Hoss

[Hirudin]

Now when you say that the Taig has less slop are you talking about spindle slop or slop in the screws or ways?

I was only thinking about the spindle at the time, but I think the rest may be true too. Another thing that sorta made me steer clear of the X# machines is that the overall fit and finish is questionable... or maybe "subject to luck of the draw" is more appropriate.

I figured since I had so little experience I wouldn't even be able to identify problem areas so would therefor be left wondering why my parts didn't come out like I wanted.

[Regnar]

If you pick up a R8 spindle x2 all the tooling will transfer over to a bigger mill. With the belt drive conversion (highly recommend) you can get spindle speeds up to 4000+. If you are just starting out you will find that as you get more and more experience the parts start to get bigger and more complicated. Your patience will run out when you are taking light cuts. Right now I am still upgrading mine. I am adding a power drawbar but I will tell you if a decent Bridgeport pops up at a decent price I will jump all over it. The tooling switch over will cost nothing.

[MechanoMan]

It's very hard to beat the value of the $1700 Deepgroove1 Taig/Gecko package:

http://deepgroove1.com/cncmill.htm

CR.

It bears repeating- do NOT go for his "house" DG1 controller. The Gecko G540 is the one that works. I got his house controller- it never worked right and was basically told tough, he had no intention of doing anything about it. I had to scrap all of his part of the setup and go buy my own Gecko and power supply.

It's pretty universally known that DG does not provide any support on his setups.
Keep in mind his part in this "setup" is simply putting the G540 in an aluminum box with a power supply, and soldering and heatshrinking the stepper wires onto the cable and the DB9 connector onto the other end. And the 36v supply is a little less desirable than the 48v.

You can buy the CNC-ready Taig from Nick Carter (who is like a god for helpful support, well, a guru), steppers and 48v/7.3A supply from Keling (or eBay), and the G540 from Gecko. Actually Keling has a package for the G540/3steppers/48v7.3A supply for a good price so just get that and the CNC-ready Taig. And whatever box works for you. This will end up being a tad cheaper.

Hmm... actually I'm adding it up and it seemed different than I got last time, he's actually pretty close to what it would cost to get the parts individually. Still, I don't see the advantage of sourcing it all from him if he's not supporting it.