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id buy the x2 now. If you don't like it you can resell it for what you paid for pretty much. I bought a 8x12 on sale, didn't need it and sold it for $40 more then what i paid for it, thats the neat thing with the cheaper machines.
Cheers
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I'm not able to scrape together enough money for a cnc mill for my business yet so I'm planning on joining the ranks by buying a manual machine for hobby use and basic R&D. Since funding is kind of tight and coupons are so appealing - I think I'm going to get an X2 from HF. If things work out right I'll be able to get it for 25% off by purchasing it on January 1st. My main question is about capabilities of the motor. Does it allow the machine to be more than able to handle most tasks within reason?
I'm looking for input since the SX2 version should be arriving in the USA around March and it has a BLDC motor which is supposed to be much more powerful. The new motor (with upgraded power supply) and the factory installed belt drive conversion are really the only major upgrades from what I've been able to find out. Do you think that those differences are worth paying full price (which will be higher than a current X2) plus shipping for a SX2 once they're available? Has anyone tried to upgrade the drive system on their X2 to accommodate a BLDC motor?
So, which way would you go: Get a HF X2 @ 25% off now or wait a few more months and pay full price plus shipping for a new SX2?
id buy the x2 now. If you don't like it you can resell it for what you paid for pretty much. I bought a 8x12 on sale, didn't need it and sold it for $40 more then what i paid for it, thats the neat thing with the cheaper machines.
Cheers
The SX2's smaller more powerful motor sounds promising but I do foresee some drawbacks.
The increased torque at lower rpm would be a benefit for manual power tapping and elimination of the plastic gears is a big plus.
It will be interesting to see if the milling specs change at all with the new mill.
1/2 inch endmill, 1/2 inch drilling and 1 inch facemill are the current recommended limits.
The stock motor is more than capable of these specs.
You can watch some of my videos to see what the stock motor can be pushed to, it handles WAY more what I would EVER run the machine at normally.
That is with a belt drive replacing the plastic gears which is most likely the limiting factor with the stock mill.
The SX2's belt drive is a step in the right direction but it's still limited to a 2500 rpm max.
First mods will no doubt be to replace the drive pulley and belt with a larger one to get the rpm up to 4-5000.
The new motor should still give plenty of low speed torque.
It will also be interesting to see how the new electronics fair when it comes to fully controlling the spindle under cnc control.
Hopefully they didn't repeat the SX3's which is cnc unfriendly and use the
X4's which is better.
The lag to actual motor start from when it is initialized by the software is still less then ideal compared to the X2's stock electronics almost instant start capability.
Cost will be no doubt higher but figure $150 -200 more a deal compared with buying a belt drive for the stock mill.
Questions we'll find answers for in due time.
Hoss
http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com
If you have the time, wait for the SX2, and save up some extra money. The BLDC power and factory installed belt drive are most probably well worth the wait. If you can't wait, then no worries. The current X2 is plenty capable.
Personally, I think they missed the boat. Having the new SX2 come with the larger table parts also--Now that would be a REAL Super X2.
CR.
http://crevicereamer.com
Too many PMs. Email me to my name plus At A O L dot com.
Thanks for the replies!
I think that I'm going to try to get an X2 tomorrow and will begin gathering parts for the conversion along the way. Whether I get it converted before the SX2 becomes readily available - I have no idea. If I can get it done and then discover that the SX2 is truly that much better of a machine I have a feeling that I might try to sell off the X2 to recoup some funding.
Do you think that reselling an X2 as cnc ready would drastically depreciate it's value (since it would be modified) or actually increase it?
BTW, Hoss, your machine has been a very strong motivator to go the way of the X2 and I would love to incorporate some of your design ideas into my build.
Well would YOU be interested in buying a CNC ready machine right now?
A lot of the work would be done for you so that would appreciate the value
but do you trust their workmanship, that could depreciate the value unless there was plenty of
proof that it was decent quality.
Seen plenty of machines butchered so just be careful with any mods you would make.
Hoss
http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com
In my experience, the mill itself will hold 80% or more of its value, while any CNC conversion components would go for 25-50% max. There is zero chance of you making money in the process.Originally Posted by theMightyCasper
Most of the CNC conversions for the X2 are bolt-on, so you can convert the mill back to manual easily. Nobody will mind an extra hole here and there, so long as you don't Swiss-cheese the thing. My Hoss-style conversion required four holes, I think, only for the Z axis.
Also, I agree with Crevice Reamer that the lack of a larger table makes this "Super" a missed opportunity.
Another inch of Y and couple inches of X would make this machine an appealing upgrade for a lot of X2 owners like me who can't quite handle an X3. The larger table from LMS looks nice but $370 with shipping is a lot for a few square inches
sx2 has already arrived...
http://www.pdjinc.com/pilot%20rods.html
$600? Not a bad price. And $1000 for a C4 lathe is not too shabby either.
I wonder how much the shipping will be and when they will get any?
I'd gladly pay $50 more if it had the extended table.
CR.
http://crevicereamer.com
Too many PMs. Email me to my name plus At A O L dot com.
Thanks for sharing that! When I emailed Sieg they only gave me one business to contact for information about when it'll be available in the USA - so this is a pleasant surprise.
Ok, now the question is whether or not to pay $366.75 (+tax) for an X2 or $600 +shipping for an SX2. At almost double the cost it really makes the X2 more appealing. I guess if I can't get the deal on the X2 I'll just save up some more money like was suggested earlier.
Thanks all!
wow that c4 is tempting
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