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10th Sep 2021, 08:11 PM #1Most Valued Member
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SIEG PREMIUM SX3.5ZDP HiTorque Mill. Thoughts?
I’m keen to hear your thoughts on this:
https://www.ausee.com.au/shop/category.aspx?catid=8440
Seems expensive for the size. But if it’s well built, maybe not? I don’t have room for a big milling machine. I probably don’t have room for this mill! Currently making do with the Hercus milling attachment on my Hercus 260.Chris
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10th Sep 2021, 09:22 PM #2
Hi Chris,
A friend has a similar Sieg SX3.5LB with R8 spindle, the same as the one from ARC Euro here in the UK ! Its roughly on par with my Optimum BF20LB mill, but I don't have the tapping facility that he has.Best Regards:
Baron J.
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10th Sep 2021, 10:31 PM #3Most Valued Member
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I had the standard X3 for a while, it was the biggest POS I've ever come across.
It had plastic gears inside, swapped to metal ones after about 3 sets.
The column was almost impossible to keep in tram, as it had a large nut at the back to allow it to pivot sideways, I ended up making a couple of large angle pieces and bolting together to try to fix it, was successful to a certain extent.
Did in several circuit boards and a motor.
It was OK if you're only taking off a couple of thou at a time.
Whether they've improved that side of things, who knows?
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
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11th Sep 2021, 01:58 AM #4
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11th Sep 2021, 10:07 AM #5Most Valued Member
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11th Sep 2021, 03:10 PM #6
Kryn, I wonder if the machine you had was an X2.. they were much lighter. https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M150
and a friend had one and did all sorts of things to enhance it including replacing the plastic gears. For the money at the time they were an affordable entry machine for light modelling work but I agree they had limitations and I am glad I did not get one.
Jack 620
My machine is a late 90s X3... light yet metal gears, fixed column, 600W DC motor driven by electronics that are still going. https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M153
The one shown is even later than mine as the e stop is on the column instead of the front of the motor.
My experience is it works but is light and not as rigid as I had hoped. Given the machine referred to looks to have the same column and is $4k I would look for a less featured heavier/more rigid machine. However, that is said as I have ended up trying to mill steel and the bits being machined only seem to get bigger after we bought an "well loved" large tractor (90HP) that I have been charged with keeping running at minimal cost. Maybe if I was still just planning on small model work I would be content.
Dad had a mill from the 70s -- R3 I think and despite its round column, small table and fiddly belt drive is much more suited to the jobs I do now...cheers
David
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A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they’ll never sit in. (Greek proverb)
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11th Sep 2021, 07:19 PM #7Most Valued Member
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thanks for the feedback. Oddly, you can get an HM-46 which is 200kg heavier for less money.
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M139D
What am I missing here?Chris
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11th Sep 2021, 08:31 PM #8Diamond Member
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The tiny little Sieg has power feed on X and Z.
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11th Sep 2021, 11:00 PM #9Most Valued Member
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I freely admit that I have a bias toward as large a machine as I can get my hands on, but that really doesn't look like enough machine for the money to my eye. I guess if you were a dedicated model builder it would be an absolutely magic machine, but for general milling duties, I reckon you could find the limits alarmingly quickly.
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12th Sep 2021, 03:00 PM #10Gear expert in training
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This. At 1kw it's basically a glorified drill press :/
If space is the problem, I'd be more inclined to go with this one https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M138D 50% more power and you save $1k to stock up on tools. Obviously you'll never be hogging material out on something that size, but every little bit helps.Gear cutting specialists and general engineers www.hardmanbros.com.au
Fine pitch gear cutting from 0.1 Module www.rigear.com.au
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12th Sep 2021, 05:15 PM #11Most Valued Member
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12th Sep 2021, 07:44 PM #12
Hi Guys,
I too think that the Sieg SX3.5 Long bed machine is a bit over priced ! However it is touted as a high quality mill and good quality control. But I do agree that the HM46 would be a better buy.
A quick note about the column: I believe that it is larger in cross section than the X3, its also securely bolted to the base. Non of that silly swivelling column.
Have a look at the specs on the Arc Euro web site !Best Regards:
Baron J.
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