x2 or Sherline *edited*

[slim_mif]

hello everyone, as you all can tell, im new and im a noob at milling machines. im intrested in getting a cnc but in stuck on which is better. im looking at a sheldon 2ooo cnc -i think thats the model number- and the x2 cnc mill. which one is better built, easier, last longer, more flexable etc between the two? any advice would be excellent. tia.

[hoss2006]

Any more info on the sheldon?
Google only turned up an OLD sheldon lathe so can't see what it is to be able to compare it to an X2.
Hoss

[slim_mif]

Hey, I finnally got on a computer. The first post was on a cellphone so I couldnt really do a full search. Anyways, heres the the actual name: Sherline 4400.

Thanks.

[Crevice Reamer]

No comparison! The X2 is a much more rugged and larger machine. The Sherline is cute and may be great for jewelry--Although it WILL cut mild steel very slowly, But the X2, albeit with a little tweaking, is a far more capable mill.

The Sherline is very expensive for what you get. You can buy the X2 and fully CNC it for less than you will ultimately invest in a manual Sherline.

After using my Sherline awhile, and then acquiring an X2--I perceived the X2 as MONSTER large. LOL!

CR.

[slim_mif]

Humm, I think the hardest metal I'll cut would be mild steel, but that might be 2-3% of my work since Im usually going to be working with aluminum. I have been looking at the X2 CNC for a long time but I just came across the Sherline a few days back and wanted some feed back.

Are there any other brand that is equivliant to the X2? Price wise and all? Im limited to 2 1/2k on budget. Basically, with 2 1/2k, whats be best bang for the buck? Thanks

[slashmaster]

Yeah, I have an issue of ROBOT magazine and it has an add for a sherline cnc mill including a computer and software for $2450.00 it really makes me wonder why they are so expensive? Crevice Reamer, you seem like a pretty wise man. What were you doing with a Sherline in the first place?

[slashmaster]

Originally Posted by slim_mif Humm, I think the hardest metal I'll cut would be mild steel, but that might be 2-3% of my work since Im usually going to be working with aluminum. I have been looking at the X2 CNC for a long time but I just came across the Sherline a few days back and wanted some feed back. Are there any other brand that is equivliant to the X2? Price wise and all? Im limited to 2 1/2k on budget. Basically, with 2 1/2k, whats be best bang for the buck? Thanks

Probably the x1, x2 or x3. I've been thinking about either an x3 or a larger Grizzly or Lathemaster myself. You don't need 2 1/2 k for that!

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by slashmaster Yeah, I have an issue of ROBOT magazine and it has an add for a sherline cnc mill including a computer and software for $2450.00 it really makes me wonder why they are so expensive? Crevice Reamer, you seem like a pretty wise man. What were you doing with a Sherline in the first place?

I was once a newbie. Some of the Sherline salesmen could sell ice cubes to eskimos. It SEEMED like the thing to do at the time.

Wisdom comes from experience. EXPERIENCE often comes from making the wrong decisions and having to recover from them.

CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by slim_mif Humm, I think the hardest metal I'll cut would be mild steel, but that might be 2-3% of my work since Im usually going to be working with aluminum. I have been looking at the X2 CNC for a long time but I just came across the Sherline a few days back and wanted some feed back. Are there any other brand that is equivliant to the X2? Price wise and all? Im limited to 2 1/2k on budget. Basically, with 2 1/2k, whats be best bang for the buck? Thanks

Best CNC mill bang for buck would be the almost turn key DG1 $1700 Taig/Gecko.

http://deepgroove1.com/cncmill.htm

DON'T buy the $1550 one though, unless you LIKE problems.

CR.

[slim_mif]

Originally Posted by slashmaster Probably the x1, x2 or x3. I've been thinking about either an x3 or a larger Grizzly or Lathemaster myself. You don't need 2 1/2 k for that!

cool, thanks. Im using 2 1/2k for the basics, such as bench/desk tools and others, but I want the biggest chunk for the Mill.

Whats the difference between the x1 and the x2?

Edit: Dur! size, anyways, Im reading the dem. of each. What is the biggest size you can get out of the Mini vs the Micro? I think the biggest I'll ever use it for is 5x5, but I dont know..

[Crevice Reamer]

The X1 is slightly larger, a little more powerful and rigid than the Sherline. Mind you it's a lot of mill for such a cheap price, Ok for a starter mill, but not a good candidate for CNC. I still use one for occasional tapping duties because it's fully reversable.

CR.

[imserv]

This comment was recently made by an individual who had been to a local
Seig resellers showroom, where he touched and carefully examined several
mills, thinking he should purchase one:

"One thing this experience has done is to renew and increase my appreciation
and respect for my Sherlines. I will confess that the first time I saw one I
thought, "How cute! A little toy lathe for children". But having worked with
them almost daily for six years, I have to say they are an astonishingly good
value. It's really pretty remarkable that these simple little machines, right
out of the box, can consistently work to one mill accuracy – easily, reliably,
productively, and be a real pleasure to work on. I'm now taking a new interest
in further upgrading or expanding my Sherline shop. Way better return on
investment, in my judgment." 42446

I do have an oar in the water when it comes to Sherline, but it is because I
did a very careful analysis in 2002 of the desktop sized products available,
both domestic and imported. I chose to sell Sherline because they are
finished at the factory, provide outstanding support, have the best selection
of accessories available, and have all inch fasteners. They have not
changed in that time, maybe gotten a little better with the addition of some
new toys, I mean tools. ;-)

They also have phone support if you need a replacement part, or even
advice about what tool you need to make a certain part. Their web site is
crammed full of help, tips, specs, dimensions and all the other things you
need, in English.

The Sherline is a miniature machine tool. It is for making small accurate parts.
Tweaking the machine to hold .001 will not become your quest, making those
kind of parts will be routine.

It is not a Bridgeport. If you need that size parts you should purchase the
correct tool for the job.

Fred Smith - IMService
http://www.imsrv.com