Reversing the spindle (motor) direction on the SX2P mill is such a basic feature that can be helpful if one desires to run left handed drill bits or taping a thread, however this feature was left out by Sieg. My SC2 lathe (sold now) used to share the same motor and electronics and had the reversing function.

I stumbled upon this post several years ago on the internet by the person that designs and sells the Seig tachometer kit (different setup compared to what I shared in another thread as I used an Arduino nano method instead):

https://macpod.net/misc/sx2_tachomet...tachometer.php

On that page was described the pinout for the reversing connector:

Photo 8-2-2023, 00 09 07.jpg

Basically the pinouts can be described as:

Pin 1: 5v pull up for reverse direction
Pin 2: Ground pin aka GND
Pin 3: 5v pull up for forward direction (not actually required)

So this was not a new project. I actually book marked the page as a to-do item but eventually life got in the way until I realized I had never done this mod.

Back to the build:

So a quick dive through my electronic junk and I found a JST XH 3 pin connector with pre-crimped wires (I guess I pulled if out of my old 3d printer) and made a quick run from work during lunch to Jaycar for the 3 position toggle switch.

(Note: If you are reading this post and decide to do this mod then my suggestion is to get a single position toggle switch or if you require it for tapping then a single position momentary toggle switch will do. The Sieg mini mills by default rotate the motor in forward direction and the contact between Pin 2 and Pin 3 is not require to make the motor rotate in the forward direction. I have successfully learned my lesson on "the liability of free advice from online sources" during this mod).

5 mins of work soldering 3 connections once I got back home and the connector is ready:

IMG_6473.jpg

Red wire: Pin 1: Pull up for reverse
Black wire: Pin 2: GND
Blue wire: Pin 3: Pull up for forward (not actually required)

Drilled a 6.5mm hole in the top of the electronics enclosure:

IMG_6480.jpg

Mounted the switch, routed the wires, plugged in the connector:

IMG_6482.jpg

Final assembly, testing, and it works perfectly except for the redundant forward position. And I need to print labels.

IMG_6483.jpg

Do I need it? Being a hobbyist ever needed to reverse the motor in the last 10 or so years I have owned the SX2P mill. But it can come in handy for tapping and left handed drills

Took me long writing and fixing this post compared to actually doing the mod