- Joined
- Aug 1, 2016
- Messages
- 25
I have an older Harbor Freight Micro Mill, basically the Sieg X1. It seems to have been discontinued and has less support than the more common Mini Mill / X2.
I've had it awhile and my biggest complaint is the table size and travel. I have considered selling it and going to an X2 but not sure that the upgrade will net me as much as I would like for the cost. I have a full set of tooling for it in 2MT as well which would not transfer to the X2.
Little Machine Shop used to sell an extended Y travel base and still sells an extended X table kit. The combination of which essentially converts to Super X1 spec and is pretty close to the extended X2 table size, without the other downsides of the X2 head system.
This is the discontinued Y travel base:
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2297
Was $89.95 (too bad!)
However it appears I might be able to piece it together with these parts:
3641 Nut, Y-Axis $ 14.19
3138 Saddle, Super X1 Micro Mill $ 71.22
2719 Base $ 71.22
2720 Gib, Y-axis $ 3.51
3133 Screw, Y-Axis Extended $ 18.47
2642 Long Table Kit, Micro Mill $89.95
Total $268.56 plus some misc hardware
Alternatively, would it be possible to use a complete X2 XY table assembly and bolt my X1 column on? I would think at worst a small adapter plate would be all it would take? A few new tapped holes?
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5013&category=-269978449
$329.95
Secondly, long term I would like to investigate adding CNC to this mill. Ideally I want something along the lines of a fancy XYZ power feed, and I imagine something with conversational CNC and/or jog pendant would accomplish most of what I want. I don't do any production work so I mostly want to be able to do layout/measuring functions of a DRO with power feeds. I think that the cost of implementing stepper motors and such would be less or equal to installing a DRO and three standard/commercial power feeds.
There are ball screw kits available for the X2 which is a small plus perhaps to going that route. I can make my own motor mounts and handle the stepper motors, electronics, etc.
So am I crazy? Anyone done something similar?
I've had it awhile and my biggest complaint is the table size and travel. I have considered selling it and going to an X2 but not sure that the upgrade will net me as much as I would like for the cost. I have a full set of tooling for it in 2MT as well which would not transfer to the X2.
Little Machine Shop used to sell an extended Y travel base and still sells an extended X table kit. The combination of which essentially converts to Super X1 spec and is pretty close to the extended X2 table size, without the other downsides of the X2 head system.
This is the discontinued Y travel base:
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2297
Was $89.95 (too bad!)
However it appears I might be able to piece it together with these parts:
3641 Nut, Y-Axis $ 14.19
3138 Saddle, Super X1 Micro Mill $ 71.22
2719 Base $ 71.22
2720 Gib, Y-axis $ 3.51
3133 Screw, Y-Axis Extended $ 18.47
2642 Long Table Kit, Micro Mill $89.95
Total $268.56 plus some misc hardware
Alternatively, would it be possible to use a complete X2 XY table assembly and bolt my X1 column on? I would think at worst a small adapter plate would be all it would take? A few new tapped holes?
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=5013&category=-269978449
$329.95
Secondly, long term I would like to investigate adding CNC to this mill. Ideally I want something along the lines of a fancy XYZ power feed, and I imagine something with conversational CNC and/or jog pendant would accomplish most of what I want. I don't do any production work so I mostly want to be able to do layout/measuring functions of a DRO with power feeds. I think that the cost of implementing stepper motors and such would be less or equal to installing a DRO and three standard/commercial power feeds.
There are ball screw kits available for the X2 which is a small plus perhaps to going that route. I can make my own motor mounts and handle the stepper motors, electronics, etc.
So am I crazy? Anyone done something similar?