Re: cnc lathe/mill | SIEG Machines

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

> ...From what I have been reading, the sieg c6 and c6b are
> supposed to be really good lahtes. I am also reading that the
> lathemaster 9x30 is supposed to be pretty good, but the downfall is
> that you have to change gears for diffrent speeds etc.

The SIEG C6{not-B} has the same "problem" as the Lathemaster 9x30 -
spindle speed selection is by pulley change. I think the variable
speed function of the C6B is well worth the extra money over a regular
C6 or other lathe.

I did a lot of research before buying my SIEG C6B. I came to the
conclusion that the Lathemaster 9x30 is well above the common 9x20
machines, but the SIEG C6B edges out the Lathemaster.

> Now a really big plus about the lathmaster 9x30 is that I just
> found out that the company is only 4 miles away from where I am
> going to school (LSU). So, instead of paying 300 or so for shipping
> of a lathe, I can just go pick it up. Besides the fact about the
> company being right by me, would you all agree with what I said
> sofar, or do you all have a diffrent opinion.

The nearness of the Lathemaster dealer might be decisive for you - not
because of the transportation cost (peanuts in the long run), but
because of the handholding you'll get from the Lathemaster dealer -
which may be important if you're new to this. On the other hand, if I
were you, I'd take a chance on buying the C6B direct from SIEG in
CHina - because it is a superior machine - especially with its "DRO"
option and many accessories such as tool post grinder.

> About the mills. Once again,from what I have read so far, sieg is on
> top of the list as an excelent manufacture of small mills around the
> size of the x3 and super x3 but I have yet to find a price for the
> super x3. I have also read that lathmasters 7045 is also a really
> good design with the dove colum way. Lathemaster also sells the x3,
> but it is on the smaller size, and the 7045 weighs in at 600lbs so
> it is alot sturdier and can handle steel alot easier than sieg
> mills.

I don't know anything about the Lathemaster 7045, but I can tell you
that (after a lot of reserach) I thought the advantages of the SIEG
Super X3 are overwhelming: variable spindle speed, and a milling head
that can be turned on its side to make a horizontal mill. Also,
several people are working on CNC for the X3 mill.

If you can stand a bit of ambiguity and risk, I would order both the
C6B and the Super X3 mill direct from SIEG in China.

> So pretty much I think I may have narrowed down my list between Sieg
> and lathmaster for both the lathe and mill. Does anyone have a price
> on the sieg lathe including shipping, as I can't find it anywhere.

You have to aks SIEG directly for prices - kiko at siegind dot com.
Prices have been increasing as the Chinese currency revalues and
domestic inflation within China drives prices up. These SEIG machines
will never again be as cheap as they are right now.

> Also the other factor I have to keep in mind is which ones are
> better for converting to cnc later down the line. Another question I
> had is: after converting a lathe to cnc, would it still be possable
> to use it manualy for simple turning.

CNC fanatics will tell you that the only realistic solution is CNC,
but there's a group of us over in E-Leadscrew who are working on
implementation of ELS - "Electronic Leadscrew" - meaning the leadscrew
is driven by a synchronized motor at some fraction of spindle speed.
This allows any thread or any traverse speed without the use of change
gears. Also, the lathe remains essentially Manual - with manual
handwheels. Stay tuned - I think the C6B would be a perfect platform
for ELS because it doesn't have a QuickChange gear box.