Seig Sx2.7 Milling Machine

If you have the money go for X3 mill. I have an X2 and its only suitable for really light work and I have just broken my first plastic gear in the motor drive. If you go with your original choice then decide on what work you will be doing, cutter sizes and how long it will take with an x2

The LMS 5500 has a belt drive, so it has that going for it.
 
I was lusting for the X3 for a long time, but when I read the specs of the SX2.7 was quite impressed. Please don't be fooled by the "2" in the name of this mill. It is more of a cut-down X3 than a beefed up X2. The size is better for my shop (second floor apt). Read the specs on the LMS 5500, (AKS Sx2.7) and you'll quickly see it a small mill - NOT a "mini-mill".

Almost had a buyer for my X2 w/DRO but jerk never showed up! I could almost taste that 2.7.... defeat snatched from the jaws of success.
 
Scott - per your request, am happy to say my LMS 5500 is ON THE WAY! My LMS 3960 found a good home and helped finance the new machine.
I'm having it delivered to a company that has a fork-lift and avoided the lift-gate fee. It should arrive in NJ around the end of the month. Will provide pix and notes of the install.

Definitely nicer than mine. Let us know if (when) you purchase the machine. :)
Scott
 
Scott - per your request, am happy to say my LMS 5500 is ON THE WAY! My LMS 3960 found a good home and helped finance the new machine.
I'm having it delivered to a company that has a fork-lift and avoided the lift-gate fee. It should arrive in NJ around the end of the month. Will provide pix and notes of the install.

Congratulations! Please do post pics as you set it up.
Scott
 
This reply is coming a bit late - but the 5500 is HERE! What a sweet machine after the SX2. Even the wrenches have a better fit. Once I get it basically together I'll post pix of the setup - and on my website.

Somewhere I saw mention of running the bearings in at various speeds for 10 mins each. For the life of me I can find those numbers... And the 7 pages "documentation" in the "Parts list/user manual" says little. I'm quite surprised that a mill of this quality and from LMS - doesn't supply an adequate user manual. I know Frank Hoose has a wonder tour and of the mill - but even a 5 part video is no replacement for a GOOD user manual. Otherwise - VERY happy camper!
 
Somewhere I saw mention of running the bearings in at various speeds for 10 mins each. For the life of me I can find those numbers... And the 7 pages "documentation" in the "Parts list/user manual" says little. I'm quite surprised that a mill of this quality and from LMS - doesn't supply an adequate user manual. I know Frank Hoose has a wonder tour and of the mill - but even a 5 part video is no replacement for a GOOD user manual. Otherwise - VERY happy camper!

Congratulations! I think you'll find this a capable machine, especially after living with an X2.

The user manual is surprisingly incomplete. F. Hoose's videos were helpful in this regard. As for running in the bearings, I read about this in the documentation for mills sold by Grizzly. I copied this from the G704 manual:

To perform spindle break-in process: 1. Successfully complete Test Run procedure beginning on Page 20. 2. Open the Emergency Stop button cover and press the green button to start the spindle. 3. With the speed range selector knob in the "L" (low) position, turn mill/drill ON and run the spindle at 600 RPM for a minimum of 10 minutes in each direction of rotation. 4. Turn the mill/drill OFF. 5. With the speed range selector knob in the "H" (high) position, turn mill/drill ON and run spindle at 1000 RPM for 5 minutes in each direction of rotation. 6. Repeat Step 5 at 2000 RPM. 7. Turn the mill/drill OFF. Congratulations! The spindle break-in is complete.

I noticed the spindle bearings in my machine warmed up a fair amount at first, but this has subsided over time.

Scott
 
Have gotten the 5500 bolted to the table and working on getting used to it. I notice the center marker on the table is at the left and and not on center - is this an "oops" or is there some good reason for the offset.

BTW - I also sent LMS a grumpy email complaining about the crappy users guide/Parts List!
 
I have had the LMS 5500 mill (2.7) since about Sept/2016. It's my first mill and I've been pretty happy with it on alluminum but it a little small for cutting steel very well. I've run a 3" face mill just fine on alluminum but it chatters on steel. I guess I've outgrown it so I ordered the 9x49 G0796 from Grizzly which is on backorder till at least February. I may end up selling the small one at some point but it's not a bad machine and I really like Frank Hoose's videos on it, that's what made me buy it. It's really too small for tapping over 1/4" holes also.
 
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