Information needed about bench top mills available in England

[Old Guy]

I am trying to find out if any of our members are using any of the three main Chinese bench top mills that seem to be popular in England ie WARCO CHESTER ARMADEAL and what model you are using and how you rate them and if you would have picked another or upgraded to a larger model knowing what you know from using the one you have. Any info much appreciated

John

 

[simonbirt]

I have a Warco VM 16, about 4 years old. It is pretty good, particularly if one considered the price. It worked well from the off, but I have made a few mods and additions. DRO, power feed (home brewed) and a depth stop for the quill.

It replaced a Tom Senior which I did not have space for. I chose this particular machine as I wanted the same spindle taper (MT2) as my lathe.

 

[Jasonb]

You missed out Sieg mills sold by Axminster and ARC Eurotrade, etc probably as many if not more of those sold than Warco.

I've had one of their X3 machines since 2007 and very happy with it. used it straight out of the crate with no rebuilding and in that time it has just needed two £5 drive belts and one £2 neon light. All the models here made with it except first two early ones. It's not imported now but if replacing would probably opt for the SX3 which is similar size but brushless motor. or possibly the SX3.5 both with R8 spindle

Also got the slightly smaller SX2.7 which is not a bad machine, don't use it quite so much as I have not fitted a DRO to that one.

Also happy with the Sieg KX-3 CNC that I use but outside what you are looking for.

As with all these bench top mills treat them with respect and don't try to take commercial size cuts with them and they perform and last well. Of the three makes you list I would put Warco tops. But if including Sieg machines then ARC on top.

 

[Old Guy]

I have a Warco VM 16, about 4 years old. It is pretty good, particularly if one considered the price. It worked well from the off, but I have made a few mods and additions. DRO, power feed (home brewed) and a depth stop for the quill.

It replaced a Tom Senior which I did not have space for. I chose this particular machine as I wanted the same spindle taper (MT2) as my lathe.

Hi Simon Thanks for the info it all helps me to make a plan

 

[Old Guy]

You missed out Sieg mills sold by Axminster and ARC Eurotrade, etc probably as many if not more of those sold than Warco.

I've had one of their X3 machines since 2007 and very happy with it. used it straight out of the crate with no rebuilding and in that time it has just needed two £5 drive belts and one £2 neon light. All the models here made with it except first two early ones. It's not imported now but if replacing would probably opt for the SX3 which is similar size but brushless motor. or possibly the SX3.5 both with R8 spindle

Also got the slightly smaller SX2.7 which is not a bad machine, don't use it quite so much as I have not fitted a DRO to that one.

Also happy with the Sieg KX-3 CNC that I use but outside what you are looking for.

As with all these bench top mills treat them with respect and don't try to take commercial size cuts with them and they perform and last well. Of the three makes you list I would put Warco tops. But if including Sieg machines then ARC on top.

Hello Jason

Yes your right I have heard of the Sieg but not very much talked about on the internet or at least I have failed to find it I have just looked on the Axminster web page and they do seem a bit pricey but you get what you pay for I suppose the X3 is out of my price range anyway. Thanks for the info
John

 

[Jasonb]

John, don't know where you have been looking but Sieg come up a lot on Model Engineer Forum which is bar far the most active forum in the UK for home machining and model engineering.

ARC prices are generally quite a bit less than Axminster and they know the machines far better as well as carrying a full range of spares.
https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/

 

[Old Guy]

Hi Simon Thanks for the info it all helps me to make a plan

You missed out Sieg mills sold by Axminster and ARC Eurotrade, etc probably as many if not more of those sold than Warco.

I've had one of their X3 machines since 2007 and very happy with it. used it straight out of the crate with no rebuilding and in that time it has just needed two £5 drive belts and one £2 neon light. All the models here made with it except first two early ones. It's not imported now but if replacing would probably opt for the SX3 which is similar size but brushless motor. or possibly the SX3.5 both with R8 spindle

Also got the slightly smaller SX2.7 which is not a bad machine, don't use it quite so much as I have not fitted a DRO to that one.

Also happy with the Sieg KX-3 CNC that I use but outside what you are looking for.

As with all these bench top mills treat them with respect and don't try to take commercial size cuts with them and they perform and last well. Of the three makes you list I would put Warco tops. But if including Sieg machines then ARC on top.

Hello again I have just been on the ARC site and there seems to be a very large difference in the pricing structure compared to Axminster seems you can get an X3 at ARC for the less than the price of a 2.7 at Axminster I can see there is a delivery charge but it seems great value for money, even the small machine comes with a load of extras and seems a good price but do you think the small machine should be avoided they all seem to have brushless motors and R8 spindles
John

 

[Old Guy]

Looks like you beat me to it

 

[user 48634]

Get one with a brushless DC motor, direct belt drive and no gears.

 

[Richard Jenkins]

Hi
I am in Australia and have a X3 (it's called a mill/drill here and looking for a replacement drive belt as my belt supplier cannot identify the pitch, labelled as 2x65
Is there a supplier over there who could ship one to Australia?

 

[Jasonb]

Have a word with ARC Eurotrade they do both the old and new belts for the X3. Not sure if they will ship to you though. You want the "OLD STYLE" belt which is 2pi pitch x 65 teeth

https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machine-Spares/X3-Small-Mill-Spares/X3-Timing-Belts

Failing that you could try Aussee who are Sieg Dealers and have links with ARC

https://www.ausee.com.au/

EDIT, They are on Aliexpress which may be easier for you. Also Little Machine shop in the US as well as US ebay do them
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...7cf974d42a3963aa04c29c0dcb0&afSmartRedirect=n