This video rocks! Located in Canada and have one retailer for these mills. Lucked out when buying: got a used SX2 (brushless motor + belt drive) for the same price as an X2. Your complaints about travel and rigidity convinced me to buy a large table and solid column upgrade kit from LMS. Would've rushed the CNC conversion otherwise! Hopefully the 5.1" y-axis travel means not having to buy a larger machine for a looong time.
This is great work man! The information you provide, and your explanations are top notch. If you want more views here on TH-cam, you need to tell a story with mistakes/troubles/delays/do-overs included. Most people love the story. It makes them feel involved, they don't like being force fed/lectured the information. Some of us just want the information, but that doesn't get you views. You should also get some studio lighting, and clean the hiss from your audio (external audio recorder with lapel mic). Finally, make sure you post the link to your new videos on Facebook, Reddit, Instagram, or any relevant user groups you know of. Do this as soon as you make your video live. TH-cam loves when you bring traffic, and rewards you for it. Good luck, and keep up the good work!
My channel is only a bit more successful than yours, so I can't claim to be an expert. I use a Zoom H1, and a $20 stereo lapel mic. It gets good sound except when I twist my head while talking and also it cracks/scratches when I accidentally bump it, so it's not perfect. The serious YT channels use a Zoom H4n plugged into a boom mic. This is the way to get the best sound. I need to make the switch to a boom mic, but it just makes the process of filming that much more involved. Setting up each shot and also the mic...you know how it goes, you spend 4 times longer filming than it would take you to just do the project without the camera. You could use the H1 on the end of a boom all by itself, but it catches the echos from the room. For that reason, a directional mic plugged into the H1 is what I'm going to use (You want a shock mounted shotgun mic. Rode makes a few good options). I don't like the lighting in my videos I'm using 2 Color temp. adjustable LED panels, and they work alright, but I haven't completely figured out that aspect yet. I suggest you watch some videos on "Lighting for TH-cam." Also, maybe just flooding your garage with light is the best option. For the price of my two light fixtures I could have done this: th-cam.com/video/xtfHS5q4N7k/w-d-xo.html
Great review. I just picked up an X2 cummins already converted along with a Grizzly still manual. I have a couple of videos posted on these machines. I'm just getting started with Fusion 360 can't beat FREE !!
Really liking some of your videos. Your journey into the tormac was cool. You need to release a new video and update everyone. Are you working full time out of your garage? Or is it just a side business?
I'm glad you enjoy them. I actually have a video ready to release, I'm just waiting on one thing to be done before making it public. I'm still just a side business but plan to be full time in about 5 years.
Thanks for the details. I have the same mill and seem to be going down the same road (already have the steppers/drivers). Next step is the CNC Fusion kit. A good vid would be how you set up the SW. I was thinking of going with Arduino and Gcode sender. But I would be curious if you feel the Linux route is better. I have heard that the Arduino, being only a controller, may not be able to keep up the data stream and cause the steppers to loose position. I also use Fusion 360 and agree it is amazing - and free (I am cheap too - LOL). I retired from HP storage systems support a couple of years ago and would like to like to get back to dabbling in some of the work I did to pay my college tuition - mechanical design (on a home/hobby scale). So, I think I will be satisfied with the mill size. Also, I like the idea of building from the ground - so I am familiar with all the interaction and parts if something should break. I like your other vids and style too - keep up the great work! Take care, h
Thanks for the suggestion. I've never heard of that brand but they look like nice machines. The castings have the same look as a Tormach which makes me wonder if they come out of the same factory. I like that they have metal way covers and a nicer looking enclosure. I ended up buying a Tormach 1100 last July and have really liked it. It's a nice machine but it does have a few quirks.
:-), mill your own base, LOL. I know not so easy. Based on your comments I'm thinking it will probably be better to buy the bigger mill and convert it. I am talking about the 1.5 HP mill. SKU 33686 There is an even bigger one but I think if you are going to spend that much money for a cheap mill might as well spend $1K-$2k more and get and old used Bridgeport that needs some serious cleanup, just have to look long and hard to find them but they do show up on a regular basis. This guy did it. th-cam.com/video/K6SXzM_qfaE/w-d-xo.html
One Bolt: Can't you drill & tap to add more bolts? What is the next step up in Mill size? Please don't say $11K for the Tormach. What about the PM-25MV? 7" on the "Y". CNC conversion Here: th-cam.com/video/aACwCMdwqkg/w-d-xo.html
The reason it only has 1 bolt is to allow the column to rotate from vertical. The column itself is hollow tubing and it is bolted into kind of a large angle bracket. I'm not sure there would be enough meat to add more bolts. The mill really needs some spread out connection points instead of one point on the bottom. I've seen where people made brackets that go about 1/3 up the sides of the column. I went the Tormach route because I wanted to make this into a business instead of a hobby. If I was strictly a hobbyist I would have made a fixed gantry router table or eventually converted a larger import machine. The decision for the Tormach was largely based on pricing out various conversions and realizing they cost about 50% of the Tormach and I still need to spend several months building it.
Personally i think the kit $600+ is a bit of a ripoff, thats more than the mill costs, if it came with motors and electronics ok but for 3 ball screws a couple of bearings and the machined aluminium blocks its a bit much, you can buy a 3040 cnc mill complete for less(most now come with ball screws), not as robust but the parts could be transfered and you could sell the frame and the non used parts cheap to recuperate. You could also have downloaded the plans and made your own aluminium blocks and bought the ball screws. Just my thoughts and personal opinion. Its done now, hope you enjoy it.
If I had the equipment to make custom length ball screws, then I would have made the kit myself. But I probably would have had a ton of time in that endeavor as well. I don't think the price is terrible considering what the hardware costs and the amount of time it saved me.
@@RivalMachining If your happy i'm happy, i'm looking at doing mine, its a hbm bf 28 vario, almost identical to the grizzly g 0759 without the dro and stand and is 240v as i'm in europe
Thank you for a very informative video, look forward to your modifications, if you are interested here is th-cam.com/video/clPzFCg6Fas/w-d-xo.html a video of my Seig X2 Mill being restored and modifying the drive after a fire in my garage, regards Doc Cox
This video rocks! Located in Canada and have one retailer for these mills. Lucked out when buying: got a used SX2 (brushless motor + belt drive) for the same price as an X2. Your complaints about travel and rigidity convinced me to buy a large table and solid column upgrade kit from LMS. Would've rushed the CNC conversion otherwise! Hopefully the 5.1" y-axis travel means not having to buy a larger machine for a looong time.
This is great work man! The information you provide, and your explanations are top notch. If you want more views here on TH-cam, you need to tell a story with mistakes/troubles/delays/do-overs included. Most people love the story. It makes them feel involved, they don't like being force fed/lectured the information. Some of us just want the information, but that doesn't get you views. You should also get some studio lighting, and clean the hiss from your audio (external audio recorder with lapel mic). Finally, make sure you post the link to your new videos on Facebook, Reddit, Instagram, or any relevant user groups you know of. Do this as soon as you make your video live. TH-cam loves when you bring traffic, and rewards you for it. Good luck, and keep up the good work!
My channel is only a bit more successful than yours, so I can't claim to be an expert. I use a Zoom H1, and a $20 stereo lapel mic. It gets good sound except when I twist my head while talking and also it cracks/scratches when I accidentally bump it, so it's not perfect. The serious YT channels use a Zoom H4n plugged into a boom mic. This is the way to get the best sound. I need to make the switch to a boom mic, but it just makes the process of filming that much more involved. Setting up each shot and also the mic...you know how it goes, you spend 4 times longer filming than it would take you to just do the project without the camera. You could use the H1 on the end of a boom all by itself, but it catches the echos from the room. For that reason, a directional mic plugged into the H1 is what I'm going to use (You want a shock mounted shotgun mic. Rode makes a few good options). I don't like the lighting in my videos I'm using 2 Color temp. adjustable LED panels, and they work alright, but I haven't completely figured out that aspect yet. I suggest you watch some videos on "Lighting for TH-cam." Also, maybe just flooding your garage with light is the best option. For the price of my two light fixtures I could have done this: th-cam.com/video/xtfHS5q4N7k/w-d-xo.html
Great review. I just picked up an X2 cummins already converted along with a Grizzly still manual. I have a couple of videos posted on these machines. I'm just getting started with Fusion 360 can't beat FREE !!
Very nice! I think I like your Z axis conversion better. My ballscrew tends to get jammed up with chips.
Really liking some of your videos. Your journey into the tormac was cool. You need to release a new video and update everyone. Are you working full time out of your garage? Or is it just a side business?
I'm glad you enjoy them. I actually have a video ready to release, I'm just waiting on one thing to be done before making it public. I'm still just a side business but plan to be full time in about 5 years.
Thanks for the details. I have the same mill and seem to be going down the same road (already have the steppers/drivers). Next step is the CNC Fusion kit. A good vid would be how you set up the SW. I was thinking of going with Arduino and Gcode sender. But I would be curious if you feel the Linux route is better. I have heard that the Arduino, being only a controller, may not be able to keep up the data stream and cause the steppers to loose position.
I also use Fusion 360 and agree it is amazing - and free (I am cheap too - LOL). I retired from HP storage systems support a couple of years ago and would like to like to get back to dabbling in some of the work I did to pay my college tuition - mechanical design (on a home/hobby scale). So, I think I will be satisfied with the mill size. Also, I like the idea of building from the ground - so I am familiar with all the interaction and parts if something should break.
I like your other vids and style too - keep up the great work!
Take care,
h
Weld the back so u dont even need that bolt...to make more ridged...if cast iron...heat it up them weld it...great info man...no bs
I don't think I'm brave enough to weld it together. Id be afraid to distort the ways or knock it out of square.
How much do the new machine cost
..just saw u got a new one
If you're thinking about Tormach then you should check out Syil :)
Thanks for the suggestion. I've never heard of that brand but they look like nice machines. The castings have the same look as a Tormach which makes me wonder if they come out of the same factory. I like that they have metal way covers and a nicer looking enclosure. I ended up buying a Tormach 1100 last July and have really liked it. It's a nice machine but it does have a few quirks.
Show us some of your work, please.
If you don’t want it I’d gladly have it😁
Haha, it's for sale!
thanks
:-), mill your own base, LOL. I know not so easy. Based on your comments I'm thinking it will probably be better to buy the bigger mill and convert it. I am talking about the 1.5 HP mill. SKU 33686
There is an even bigger one but I think if you are going to spend that much money for a cheap mill might as well spend $1K-$2k more and get and old used Bridgeport that needs some serious cleanup, just have to look long and hard to find them but they do show up on a regular basis.
This guy did it. th-cam.com/video/K6SXzM_qfaE/w-d-xo.html
Ya, I ended up taking the leap to a Tormach. I actually just sold the mini mill a few months ago. It was bittersweet to see it go.
One Bolt: Can't you drill & tap to add more bolts?
What is the next step up in Mill size? Please don't say $11K for the Tormach. What about the PM-25MV? 7" on the "Y".
CNC conversion Here: th-cam.com/video/aACwCMdwqkg/w-d-xo.html
The reason it only has 1 bolt is to allow the column to rotate from vertical. The column itself is hollow tubing and it is bolted into kind of a large angle bracket. I'm not sure there would be enough meat to add more bolts. The mill really needs some spread out connection points instead of one point on the bottom. I've seen where people made brackets that go about 1/3 up the sides of the column. I went the Tormach route because I wanted to make this into a business instead of a hobby. If I was strictly a hobbyist I would have made a fixed gantry router table or eventually converted a larger import machine. The decision for the Tormach was largely based on pricing out various conversions and realizing they cost about 50% of the Tormach and I still need to spend several months building it.
Personally i think the kit $600+ is a bit of a ripoff, thats more than the mill costs, if it came with motors and electronics ok but for 3 ball screws a couple of bearings and the machined aluminium blocks its a bit much, you can buy a 3040 cnc mill complete for less(most now come with ball screws), not as robust but the parts could be transfered and you could sell the frame and the non used parts cheap to recuperate. You could also have downloaded the plans and made your own aluminium blocks and bought the ball screws. Just my thoughts and personal opinion. Its done now, hope you enjoy it.
If I had the equipment to make custom length ball screws, then I would have made the kit myself. But I probably would have had a ton of time in that endeavor as well. I don't think the price is terrible considering what the hardware costs and the amount of time it saved me.
@@RivalMachining If your happy i'm happy, i'm looking at doing mine, its a hbm bf 28 vario, almost identical to the grizzly g 0759 without the dro and stand and is 240v as i'm in europe
Thank you for a very informative video, look forward to your modifications, if you are interested here is th-cam.com/video/clPzFCg6Fas/w-d-xo.html a video of my Seig X2 Mill being restored and modifying the drive after a fire in my garage, regards Doc Cox
Thanks, I'll take a look at your videos!