Sieg Milling machine's and Lathe's:

[FranV8]

I was considering one of those, the WM18 clone seemed more current. What are the shortcomings of the XJ25?

I think the only things I'd criticise mine for so far,

- fore.aft tram out slightly (shim the column) and the quill needs to be slightly locked when taking cuts.

It is true to say a heavier mill is always to be preferred, but need to watch out for wear and tear on the older bigger machines,of course many led hard industrial lives. Plus if they're three phase you've got some work to do, unless of course you are lucky enough to have three phase available.

On tool fitting, R8 all the way,Bridge ports all had it, it releases properly too. (IMHO)

 

[Pete.]

Shush! my lathe might hear you


It was said with tongue in cheek hence the

Aah, were suffering smilie-fusion

 

[hareng]

Another way of looking at it is the chinese machines are cheap and cheerful, soon as you have them bang on tolerance they wear. Especially the lead screws and slides.
If parts are available by some chance, they are expensive. Just a transfer box for powered head on mine is £244 (just a few gears in a bolt on box) whole mill was £930 as a sell off when RRP was £1500.
Lead screws went years ago same as other chinese mill.

Whilst working good work can be done if you are able to work around the lack of rigidity. Fork yokes could be done but expect severe flex/vibration.

As regards MT3 they dont need a good whack even when grollied up, ask Chris on here shown him to prove a point. R8 is superior however and would be my first choice.

 

[chris-law]

Yes , yours was as fast as a fast thing lol , much quicker than my acromill .
You have a serious ammount of goodies in your workshop , i was like a kid in a sweetshop

 

[Wallace]

I was considering one of those, the WM18 clone seemed more current. What are the shortcomings of the XJ25?

I could write an essay on the problems, most of which are down to poor build quality and assembly.

 

[Wedg1e]

As for a bigger stuff, it all strips down, and all the bits will be manageable to lift by 2/3 people

I've stripped, moved and rebuilt my 1600lb Bridgeport single-handed... an engine crane would have made it easier

 

[AndyP]

I have an X3 mill there's absolutely nothing wrong with it as an hobbyists mill.

Done the old knacker thing it ain't all it's cracked up to be.

 

[MattF]

Done the old knacker thing it ain't all it's cracked up to be.

Depends on how good nick it's in to start with. Some of them can be a labour of love, if you get one with a decent amount of wear. Once sorted though, they'll easily outlast pretty much anything built today, unless they're abused.

 

[chris-law]

Im glad i went with the old knacker thing , its a good solid lump of steel of about 650kg , it has coolant built in , there is no play in the machine that i can find , it needed a repair to the table motor and it has cost a grand total minus tooling of less than £1100 , what would you get for that sort of money in a *****ey machine , from what i have seen not a lot