Tin Falcon
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gus asked in a different thread about the seig lathes and mills specifically the mini c-2 c-3 x-2 sizes. This has been discussed before. and likely will be again.
these are capable small hobby machines. And people use them for small business applications as well. In general with any chinese machine look at the specs and expect it to do a little less.. they are basically pre assembled kits good casting good bones but need some help help in the fit finish adjusting and lubricating. they come on a slow boat from china and are coated with gunk that takes time and effort to remove.
all of these machines come from the same factory. some vendors have them built better with some of the desirable upgrades done in the factory. these things include metal gears cam lever tail stock better grade more powerful motor etc. Littlemachineshop.com in the west and microMark in the east sell the improved upgraded models.
Jet will tell you they sell the pick of the litter. Grizzly sells the fact they have qc people at the factory. Harbor Freight is considered by many as selling the leftovers after the other vendors take there pick. And I will tell you my red Micromart mill gas grizzly green paint in the shadows.
LMS and micromark have lots of add ons available.
my first lathe is a grizzly 7x10 10" is tight 12 or 14 much better. but is has served well and needed few repairs. the x-2 has also served well and no major problems.
one weak point of both machines is lightning will kill the control boards. IIRC less than $10 in parts to repair. but I recommend keep unplugged when not in use or at least at any sign of lightning.
I recomend anyone considering these machines download the manuals from Littlemachineshop. they are generic. Read through them. Also browse the various sites that show modifications .
this research will show more of the potential and out of the factory shortcomings of these machines. all in all good bang for the buck and good starter machines.
If you want usa made quality in a slightly smaller unit look at the Taig or sherline.
Tin
these are capable small hobby machines. And people use them for small business applications as well. In general with any chinese machine look at the specs and expect it to do a little less.. they are basically pre assembled kits good casting good bones but need some help help in the fit finish adjusting and lubricating. they come on a slow boat from china and are coated with gunk that takes time and effort to remove.
all of these machines come from the same factory. some vendors have them built better with some of the desirable upgrades done in the factory. these things include metal gears cam lever tail stock better grade more powerful motor etc. Littlemachineshop.com in the west and microMark in the east sell the improved upgraded models.
Jet will tell you they sell the pick of the litter. Grizzly sells the fact they have qc people at the factory. Harbor Freight is considered by many as selling the leftovers after the other vendors take there pick. And I will tell you my red Micromart mill gas grizzly green paint in the shadows.
LMS and micromark have lots of add ons available.
my first lathe is a grizzly 7x10 10" is tight 12 or 14 much better. but is has served well and needed few repairs. the x-2 has also served well and no major problems.
one weak point of both machines is lightning will kill the control boards. IIRC less than $10 in parts to repair. but I recommend keep unplugged when not in use or at least at any sign of lightning.
I recomend anyone considering these machines download the manuals from Littlemachineshop. they are generic. Read through them. Also browse the various sites that show modifications .
this research will show more of the potential and out of the factory shortcomings of these machines. all in all good bang for the buck and good starter machines.
If you want usa made quality in a slightly smaller unit look at the Taig or sherline.
Tin