Sieg X2 Mini-Mill Teardown

Couldn't resist taking it apart when it arrived as everything was badly set up and these Chinese tools arrive covered in nasty red shipping grease.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb224/cinqster-photo/Mill1.jpg

It gives me a chance to spread some rustproofing grease on the back of the iron castings too.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb224/cinqster-photo/Mill2.jpg

Note that both the X and Y feed screws are bone dry!:banghead:

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb224/cinqster-photo/Mill3.jpg

Argh...the Chinese have discovered woodruff keys! I wanted to pack the X feedscrew housing with grease so this came off too.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb224/cinqster-photo/XGibstrip1.jpg

This is the gib strip for the X feed and is clearly in need of lapping - probably the greatest problem of Chinese tools.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb224/cinqster-photo/XGibstrip2.jpg

Needless to say I forgot to photograph the lapped strips! I reckon on about an hour for the longer Y strip and 30 mins for this shorter one. I go in sanding the strip back and forth with 120 Wet/dry on a glass plate. Then I proceed to 240, 400, then 1200 until the surface is super smooth. Some people go further and polish them but fine scratches are fine by me as I reckon they hold lube better.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb224/cinqster-photo/Xscrewnut.jpg

This is what really lets down Chinese tools - note that this X feed screw retaining nut has already been adjusted twice before I got near it! I reckon the machines are set up in the factory and then semi-stripped to repaint them in the specific dealer colours. No wonder I thought the X feed was out of adjustment!

I've not done the vertical feed gib strip as I didn't fancy taking the head off just yet - and it's bloomin heavy. I did remove the head stop, raise the head and spray white lithium grease over all the gearbox internals for good measure and I tweaked the motor to gearbox fit to quiet down transmission noise. It's all back together, and after a 10 min 0 - max rpm run in (not mentioned in the manual but recommended for the lathes using the same gearbox) it's running lovely!

NICE

cant wait to see more

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb224/cinqster-photo/Mill3.jpg

Argh...the Chinese have discovered woodruff keys!

The key in your photo isn't a woodruff key, are you referring to another key not photographed?

great to see some pics of the machine. Typical chinese quality but whatever you can get a decent machine out of it if you spend some time on cleaning and adjusting!

The key in your photo isn't a woodruff key, are you referring to another key not photographed?

Indeed, my mistake but 'woodruff key' is almost a generic term in the UK even though it's not technically correct...still you guys don't even have the correct sized gallons and even your horsepowers are too small!:lol:

Got the table and chuck at the weekend and finished the rebuild - will post pics soon

Indeed, my mistake but 'woodruff key' is almost a generic term in the UK even though it's not technically correct...still you guys don't even have the correct sized gallons and even your horsepowers are too small!:lol:


You guys?

I'm a Brit :smooch:

:banghead: :lol:

cinqster,

Any plans to cnc this mill. I have had my eyes on one of these for a while but am getting my lathe first. I want to use them both for modelling but I also have a race car so want to make sure it is suitable for both and not too small.

cinqster,

Any plans to cnc this mill. I have had my eyes on one of these for a while but am getting my lathe first. I want to use them both for modelling but I also have a race car so want to make sure it is suitable for both and not too small.

I looked into it briefly, but was put off by the price. I also think I'd end up wanting a forth axis so the price would go up again! I may go for it in the future but I really need to see just what I'd want it for first as milling is still new to me. I don't plan to make many repeat items because I'll be casting from any masters that I make.

There are some good conversion kits around and some good user sites if you need more info.

My first tweak will be a belt drive conversion as these beasts are notorious for breaking the plastic teeth if a tool stalls.

The lathe first is a good idea - I've already had to use mine to turn parts just to install the rotary table on the mill - yep, I've fallen into that model engineers trap from the get-go!:grinyes:

More on the install later.