milling machine which one ?

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Andy Shepherdson on 07/06/2020 18:49:36:

Sorry to hijack this thread but what’s your thoughts on the Chester Champion 16v. Chester have an exdisplay one for a good price and I’m finding it tempting. Also collet chuck or individual MT2 collets.

Thanks

Hijacked two weeks ago? Thought you would have a mill from ARC installed by now as you said a fortnight ago you should stop dithering! Could have pushed it home in a wheelbarrow – that would save quite a tidy sum.

Compare the specs carefully – for instance, you may well find the motor power quoted by Chester is power in, not power delivered by the motor (0.82HP is a peculiar, if not unique, motor power🙂 ).

Watch out for other disparities in the way specifications are quoted.🙂

Chester are currently saying that model is out of stock?

[Andy ShepherdsonParticipant @andyshepherdson55441]

Posted by not done it yet on 08/06/2020 12:39:16:

Posted by Andy Shepherdson on 07/06/2020 18:49:36:

Sorry to hijack this thread but what’s your thoughts on the Chester Champion 16v. Chester have an exdisplay one for a good price and I’m finding it tempting. Also collet chuck or individual MT2 collets.

Thanks

Hijacked two weeks ago? Thought you would have a mill from ARC installed by now as you said a fortnight ago you should stop dithering! Could have pushed it home in a wheelbarrow – that would save quite a tidy sum.

Compare the specs carefully – for instance, you may well find the motor power quoted by Chester is power in, not power delivered by the motor (0.82HP is a peculiar, if not unique, motor power🙂 ).

Watch out for other disparities in the way specifications are quoted.🙂

Chester are currently saying that model is out of stock?

They had an ex demo for sale over the weekend, now gone. I've bought a lathe so i am halfway there.

[Bob WorsleyParticipant @bobworsley31976]

The motor rating plate is the mechanical power out. Multiply by 1.2 for power factor and another 1.2 for efficiency to get power in.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Bob Worsley on 08/06/2020 15:04:25:

The motor rating plate is the mechanical power out. Multiply by 1.2 for power factor and another 1.2 for efficiency to get power in.

OK, so we know the ARC models are power delivered. Do you know what chester are actually quoting?

Cos Theta for many motors is about 0.8 (see the rating plate for the actual value) so that is not the same as multiplying by 1.2? Are all motors the same efficiency? Have you come across a 0.82HP motor on a regular basis?

[JGParticipant @jg22384]

Sometimes small old horizontal (unfashionable) mills can be had fairly affordably and thanks to the lower attraction from being horizontal, sometimes aren't worn out. Some of them could be fitted with manufacturer made vertical heads, or people can adapt a self contained vertical head from something else, to the overarm/ support.. a VFD is also quite a popular option for running small 3ph motors from single phase. Some of the jig borers can also do really light milling – depending what sort of milling capacity you need vs accurate locations, some models might be worth a quick search.

[Andy ShepherdsonParticipant @andyshepherdson55441]

I’ve finally put my hand in my pocket and bought a Warco WM14. A few bits and bobs to get together and Start making swarf 

 

Andy

Edited By Andy Shepherdson on 17/06/2020 19:39:39

[Nigel (egi)Participant @nigelegi]

Posted by old mart on 21/05/2020 17:10:14:

I would look at what ARC have going at the moment, they also list the footprint which is good. If you have a choice go for one with an R8 spindle fitting. Your budget is pretty good, add at least 50% onto the machine price for tooling.

I bought an Amadeal XJ12-300 and spent the next few years upgrading nearly every aspect, then looked around and finally bought a Sieg SX2.7 from ArcEuro and must say that on paper specifications it didn't look like a massive upgrade…..but I really like it. I have MT3 version and again easy to get fittings and at good prices, quite frankly the ER25 collet chuck is in place 99.5% of the time.

Both Amadeal and Sieg side by side. As always there are still things I would like to fix and I keep thinking about adding a 3-axis DRO, but that means some time away from making models – now that's a difficult decision.

[Nigel (egi)Participant @nigelegi]

Posted by not done it yet on 08/06/2020 15:44:52:

Posted by Bob Worsley on 08/06/2020 15:04:25:

The motor rating plate is the mechanical power out. Multiply by 1.2 for power factor and another 1.2 for efficiency to get power in.

OK, so we know the ARC models are power delivered. Do you know what chester are actually quoting?

Cos Theta for many motors is about 0.8 (see the rating plate for the actual value) so that is not the same as multiplying by 1.2? Are all motors the same efficiency? Have you come across a 0.82HP motor on a regular basis?

Sorry, the Sieg SX2.7 from ArcEuro is 750W and must admit the torque is huge down to just above zero, in the time I've had the machine I have never thought this is not enough power. The mill is a lot stiffer than the XJ12-300, but even so I get a vibration issue long before I ever run out of power. However, my approach is that of a self taught amateur and so I tend to back off and take smaller cuts when the going gets really tough.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Andy Shepherdson on 17/06/2020 19:38:02:

I’ve finally put my hand in my pocket and bought a Warco WM14. A few bits and bobs to get together and Start making swarf

Andy

Edited By Andy Shepherdson on 17/06/2020 19:39:39

Congratulations! I have to admit my money would have gone to ARC, but I am sure Warco will look after you should there be any problems. My most recent purchase from Warco (this last couple of weeks) was expensive, but I am confident it will be good.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I keep thinking about adding a 3-axis DRO, but that means some time away from making models – now that's a difficult decision.

You would not regret adding a dro (assuming quality is good). Easier to achieve the same precision as without and more time to get on with making those models. Backlash in dial readings would be a thing of the past.🙂

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I was just idly looking at the ARC site at the Seig mills, and the top of the range SX3.5DZP stood out. It is expensive, but you get all of the extras which people wish to add onto their mills. Tooling is always an add on which never seems to end, but that is par for the course.

[Roger BestParticipant @rogerbest89007]

Very helpful thread, thanks guys.

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