Sherline 5400, X2, or Taig?

[tipschips]

Which machine is the most bang for the buck for light machining of mainly plastic and aluminum. Also, which is the easiest to convert to CNC later?

[ZipSnipe]

Awhile back I was in your shoes. trying to figure which mill I wanted. I,ve seen the x2 in person and it is small and flimsy lookin but cheap(low initial investment). The Sherline is well made but really i think is geared towards the model maker crowd. The Taig is simply built but nice, and has good travel. Plus it can be bought of Ebay CNC equipted for around $1700 shipped. But if I was just starting and on a limited budget the X2 is not bad plus it uses the popular R8 spindle. I used the X2 mill head for my manual mill that I built. My Manual small mill project
CNCzone.com-The Ultimate Machinist Community - My Manual small mill project

Basically you should figure what you want to make and research the specs on the machine and make sure it can handle what you want.

[tipschips]

I plan on using it for making model RC helicopter parts, but I'm sure I'll end up wanting to make bigger things.

I don't want to buy some cheap, flimsy machine that will fall apart and I know you need a bigger machine with more power to do larger projects/harder metals.

I just need the most bang for the buck machine that will get me through the "learning stage". I'm sure I'm not the only one that wants a great machine for little $, I'm leaning towards the x2, but I just don't want to buy a piece of junk that I will make a couple parts on and want to throw it in the trash.

[radicooldude]

The only problems that i see is that the Sherlines are made out of aluminum right? I dont think aluminum machining aluminum would be a good idea. You would have to take a really weak cut with it. THe taig is stronger, and kinda inbetween the sherline and x2 in strength. The x2 looks the strongest, being all cast iron. My choice would be the XJ-9510 at $495. Note, if you inquire and tell them that harbor freight is a cheaper but similiar item, they may give you a discount. They offered it to me for $450.

This machine has the quality of a sherline, yet stronger than a X2. It also has large X and Y travels, hand scrapped ways, strong 1/2hp motor..and more. Take a look and compare. I think youd like it.

http://www.penntoolco.com/catalog/pr...ategoryID=6133

[tipschips]

That does look nice. I have never heard of the brand. How hard is it to add CNC later?

[KDN Tool]

Have a look at my site www (dot) kdntool (dot) com for the Xj-9510 converted to cnc. I will be introducing a kit soon. Still working on ball screws for it. It is far superior to the X2 in design.

Ken
KDN Tool

[Stuff-Builder]

tipschips,

I bought a Taig CR16 about a year ago, and I think it's a very nice machine. I already had some stepper motors and drivers around, so it took me about an hour to "convert" this mill to CNC. If your goal is to learn CNC machining, then this is a quick way to get started. If you want to enjoy the process of conversion, then one of the Chinese mills is probably a good starting place.

In use, I've found the Taig to be a solid machine. It will run 1/4" endmills in aluminum literally all day. I know there's a few guys on the board doing production with Taig mills. The high spindle speed and 5-1/2" x 12" travel help a lot. If I were buying today I would opt for the ER spindle - offers a lot more versatility.

I think the Taig is great bang for the buck. Yes, you can get a bigger machine for the same money, but if you want to be cutting CNC parts *today* the Taig is a great way to do it. No messing, just chips flying everywhere!

Happy hunting,
Scott

[JFettig]

you should also consider the X3, its bigger and would likely fill all your needs. If I had time to use one, I'd have already picked one up.


Jon

[phantomcow2]

The mill in that link looks very nice.
I agree with Jfettig that the X3 is something you should consider. It is a very solid machine, and the quality is first rate for the most part. It looks far superior to the X2 in quality and design.

[tipschips]

So is the Taig the easiest to make CNC...are they CNC ready and the others are coversions? That would be a plus. I'm sure my future plans will include making chips, not trying to figure out how to rig a machine for CNC.

[JFettig]

I wouldn't say quality is first rate, or even close, but it is probably the best choice out of all of them. It is DEFINATELY superior to the X2.


Jon

[phantomcow2]

X3 is not first rate compared to your American machines like bridgeports, or VMC's. But compared to any other asian tool, or what a hobbyist would have, I think it is. All components are very well machined, perfect fits, dowel fits at that. Quality of leadscrews is nice, they are quite smooth. No cheesy plastic gears, it is well designed. Perpendicularity was right on, no movement detected with my .0005" DTI.