Re: cnc lathe/mill | SIEG C6B & Super X3 | Golmatic MD23

---"jak785" <jak785@h...> wrote:

> > I am about to get a bonus at work, and this is my chance to get a
> lathe or mill and I want to convert it to cnc use.

Depends on your bonus, of course, but check this out for a high
quality combination mill/lathe/engraver/shaper:

www.golmatic.de/GOLmatic_EN/maschinen_en/MD23_en/md23_en.htm

> First lets talk about lathes.
> Can anyone give me some information on a good lathe with a size
> around 9"x20"

One currently not on your list is the lathe I purchased recently: the
SIEG C6B. This is a 10x22 lathe, with variable speed spindle, and
optional DRO. It does NOT have a Quick Change Gear box. I consider
this an advantage, both because the maker chose to put his money
elsewhere rather than a cheap gearbox, and because the C6B is ready
for Electronic Leadscrew or CNC. There are currently no North American
distributors of the C6B, so you would have to buy from the
manufacturer in China (which I did), or from Arc Eurotrade in Britain.
See C6B-550 in www.arceurotrade.co.uk. In North America, Grizzly and
House of Tools sell less capable C6 versions of this lathe.

> Does anyone have any suggestions on what mill they would get, or
> know of any other brands about this size. The taig mill is too
> small, and I don't want a huge knee mill either, so these are in the
> size range I want.

I researched this extensively too, and eventually bought the SIEG
Super X3 mill. The Super X3 is sized somewhat between the micromills
and the heavy Rong Fus. The Super X3 is variable speed, has power
traverse option, and has a fully tilting head which allows horizontal
milling as well as the usual vertical milling. As with the SIEG C6B,
I don't know of a USA distributor, so I bought direct from SIEG.