- Joined
- Jan 8, 2016
- Messages
- 171
First, thanks everybody for all the help and advice!
So, I ended up ordering a Sieg X2D from LMS. I might have gone for one of their HT models, but what I wanted was out of stock for a month or more. It’s probably for the best as it controlled me getting too cart happy.
Why choose X2D from LMS? It’s my first mill and should be ok to start with; it should do the small projects I require of, it fits my size and weight requirements and didn’t overly stress my budget. I almost went with the HF mini which would have been about $150 less expensive, but it would have taken a month to get it as they make them to order and ship them from China.
Also, the HF mini does not have the air spring and lacks a solid column and I did not want a tilty column. It also has a smaller table and less x/y/z travel than the Sieg. Also, if there was a problem, I’d be stuck dealing with HF on a special order thing shipped from China that I could not take back to a local store. I could see that turning into a frustrating, disappointing, hair pulling freak show.
With the LMS Sieg, I didn’t have to buy the air spring ($50 with shipping), plus it’s from the good folks at LMS. I’ve been nothing but impressed with LMS. Great place and good people! It is on sale for $600.
Shipping is $145 because I live near a freight terminal and can pick it up there. Saved $50 off their normal shipping. Considering I didn’t have to buy the air spring, that makes it about $100 more than HF, for a machine with better specs. Anyway, $100 is worth it to me for just the peace of mind of getting from LMS rather than a crate dumped on my front porch direct from China with no support.
I know, very good advice was given to get more to start with. I totally, completely, understand that sage advice. It is the same advice I would give, and almost always live by when it comes to tools. So, will I want more mill? Probably. Will I need the belt drive upgrade? Yes. Do I already want DRO’s for both my mill and lathe? Yes. But I think this is a good place to start, should keep me busy for awhile, and be a good introduction and first mill.
Here is what I ordered:
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4962&category=1387807683
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4491&category=
Again, thanks everybody for all the help with my endless noob questions! After a week of research and learning I think I finally have a grip. Your help was/is truly appreciated.
So, I ended up ordering a Sieg X2D from LMS. I might have gone for one of their HT models, but what I wanted was out of stock for a month or more. It’s probably for the best as it controlled me getting too cart happy.
Why choose X2D from LMS? It’s my first mill and should be ok to start with; it should do the small projects I require of, it fits my size and weight requirements and didn’t overly stress my budget. I almost went with the HF mini which would have been about $150 less expensive, but it would have taken a month to get it as they make them to order and ship them from China.
Also, the HF mini does not have the air spring and lacks a solid column and I did not want a tilty column. It also has a smaller table and less x/y/z travel than the Sieg. Also, if there was a problem, I’d be stuck dealing with HF on a special order thing shipped from China that I could not take back to a local store. I could see that turning into a frustrating, disappointing, hair pulling freak show.
With the LMS Sieg, I didn’t have to buy the air spring ($50 with shipping), plus it’s from the good folks at LMS. I’ve been nothing but impressed with LMS. Great place and good people! It is on sale for $600.
Shipping is $145 because I live near a freight terminal and can pick it up there. Saved $50 off their normal shipping. Considering I didn’t have to buy the air spring, that makes it about $100 more than HF, for a machine with better specs. Anyway, $100 is worth it to me for just the peace of mind of getting from LMS rather than a crate dumped on my front porch direct from China with no support.
I know, very good advice was given to get more to start with. I totally, completely, understand that sage advice. It is the same advice I would give, and almost always live by when it comes to tools. So, will I want more mill? Probably. Will I need the belt drive upgrade? Yes. Do I already want DRO’s for both my mill and lathe? Yes. But I think this is a good place to start, should keep me busy for awhile, and be a good introduction and first mill.
Here is what I ordered:
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4962&category=1387807683
http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4491&category=
Again, thanks everybody for all the help with my endless noob questions! After a week of research and learning I think I finally have a grip. Your help was/is truly appreciated.
