DickDastardly40
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- Oct 23, 2007
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In the next year or so, if the money in the sock under the floorboards swells enough, I would like to add another milling machine to complement my BCA Jig Borer. I have looked at new and used thus far and am almost decided on an X3 due to a variety of considerations:
Reasonable size to fit in a single car garage workshop with all my other equipment
Good work envelope, possibly beyond my current needs but bigger = more flexibility for the future.
New therefore hopefully reliable, accurate and user friendly
Upgradeable to CNC in due course if I decide to follow this route
Available support and spare parts
Appears well made, designed and as far as I can tell well regarded.
My stumbling block is on UK suppliers, various vendors stock a clone, badged and painted differently, however the prices seem to vary wildly. Some have more features but I cannot decide if the extras are worthy of the inflated prices.
The ones I have nosed out are:
http://arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Milling-Machines/Model-X3-Small-Mill
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=377295&name=milling&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=377659&name=milling&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44
http://www.warco.co.uk/shop.asp?catid=40&ProdId=923
http://www.engineerstoolroom.co.uk/bmd-25.htm
I am pretty sure that Chester stock one but I couldnt decide which model on their website was the equivalent!
http://www.chesteruk.net/store/milling_machines.htm
No second hand ones ever seem to be on Ebay etc, and though I am not averse to something older and run-in, new seems to be the way ahead.
Theres many a slip twixt cup and lip so its entirely possible that this doesnt become a reality if SWMBO gets wind, so Id appreciate it if you fellas kept it to yourselves!
I would appreciate the ideas and opinions from members if they have an X3 or have aspirations of one, and also if they think that the tilting head, back gear, higher top speed etc are worth any extra premium.
Thanks for any input.
Al
Reasonable size to fit in a single car garage workshop with all my other equipment
Good work envelope, possibly beyond my current needs but bigger = more flexibility for the future.
New therefore hopefully reliable, accurate and user friendly
Upgradeable to CNC in due course if I decide to follow this route
Available support and spare parts
Appears well made, designed and as far as I can tell well regarded.
My stumbling block is on UK suppliers, various vendors stock a clone, badged and painted differently, however the prices seem to vary wildly. Some have more features but I cannot decide if the extras are worthy of the inflated prices.
The ones I have nosed out are:
http://arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Milling-Machines/Model-X3-Small-Mill
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=377295&name=milling&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=377659&name=milling&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44
http://www.warco.co.uk/shop.asp?catid=40&ProdId=923
http://www.engineerstoolroom.co.uk/bmd-25.htm
I am pretty sure that Chester stock one but I couldnt decide which model on their website was the equivalent!
http://www.chesteruk.net/store/milling_machines.htm
No second hand ones ever seem to be on Ebay etc, and though I am not averse to something older and run-in, new seems to be the way ahead.
Theres many a slip twixt cup and lip so its entirely possible that this doesnt become a reality if SWMBO gets wind, so Id appreciate it if you fellas kept it to yourselves!
I would appreciate the ideas and opinions from members if they have an X3 or have aspirations of one, and also if they think that the tilting head, back gear, higher top speed etc are worth any extra premium.
Thanks for any input.
Al