Warco WM16 or Brushless Versions?

[Jonathan MeadParticipant @jonathanmead91773]

I'm thinking of buying a Warco WM16 mill and having had a good look around know that this is as big as I can fit into the space available in my single garage workshop. The WM16 seems to be well regarded on the forum, and I get the impression that it is more capable than the WM14 and therefore worth paying the extra £250. However, both Toolco and SPG are offering a belt drive brushless motor version of the machine, but these cost a further £100 to £150.

Do you think these brushless belt drive machines are worth paying the additional money for? I know that the brushless drive has a bit more torque at lower rpm and the belt drive system is quieter, but how noisy are the gears on the WM16, and does the brushed motor provide adequate torque at low speed?

[Jonathan MeadParticipant @jonathanmead91773]

Is brushless & belt drive worth an extra £150?

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Its exactly the right size for my workshop and it comes with its own steel suds tray, the motor is 750W despite what some of the adverts for the WM16 say, and it has a table movement of 500mm either side of the center. Its definitely bigger and more powerful than the WM14, likewise so is the WM18 bigger and more powerful than the WM16. perhaps i would have considered that one, if the price was better.

The machine is not necessarily any noiser than most DC motors under load, the gear noise is what i would call mild as the gears are plastic contact with steel. be careful with the switch from high to low speed as the detent can damage the gears. They warn you in the user manual not to switch gearing under speed.

I am overall quite happy with it, what the guide doesnt tell you is that the speed control has some decent saftey features. The speed control box has some 8amp quick blow fuses to prevent over heating and damage from stalling the motor, this is a feature i havent encountered with other speed control systems which is definitely a bonus and would come with any of the WM range models.

PS. Although i operated this mill for some time without one, if you were to ask me the best way to upgrade it, get a DRO system as it makes life so much easier. The Head elevation on the WM models also uses a rack and pinion feed rather than Direct to leadscrew engagement which makes it alot easier to move up and down rapidly.

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 17/02/2016 13:37:23

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

Hi Jonathan,

I have a milling machine similar to the WM16 (but with MT3 spindle). It has a brushed motor and I have used it for over 4 years without problems. Brushless motors seem to have better torque at low speeds and you won't have to replace any brushes, so if you have the extra £100 I would say buy the brushless version.

Thor

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

I have the WM 16 with MT2, 4 year old this year, bought at Harrogate exhibition, the motor is quiet & the only noise is from the gearbox which is not overly loud, as said due to plastic against steel. looking at the updated versions that are on the market, If buying today I would plumb for the brushless belt driven… no brushes to change &, should any hang ups occur then the belt will slip rather than the plastic gear teeth stripping off. Having said that I can't complain at it's performance & it has handled all that I have asked it to do so far, so if you can put the extra £150 to it… go for it, as an upgrade I have fitted simple DRO's ( Arc Euro remote read outs ) on the X & Y axis, much easier all round.

George.

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