Complicated post

Steve,

I am am a little confused now by your last post.

First, I still think that you should read the MEW beginners series on milling, written by Jason, starting in MEW 260/1 onwards. Jason also explains most of the points quite well in his last post here at 7.21 am today. The SX3.5DZP works in a similar way to the SX2.7 which Jason used to write the milling series articles. The SX3.5DZP has more torque along with some small bells and whistles.

As Jason said, SX3.5DZP is new to the seen. You probably wont find anything at present on You Tube. We are the first company in the world to test it out. Rest of the distributors around the world were sitting on the fence while I put it through tests.

After I was happy, we put it out into the market place, restricting sales to customers with whom we have good relations, and/or choosing who we sold the machines to. In case of failure, we needed their co-operation to work with us to analyse and solve the problems. The first batch had various problems on certain machines, which were fixed by us, with help from our customers and SIEG. In terms of profit, it was a write-off, but we were prepared for the hit. All of those machines are with their respective buyers, alive and well. One may still come back. The second batch was corrected, we had less issues than the first. The third batch, all went well, and we are sold out. At present, we have no idea for when the next batch will come.

We are aware that factory now has large orders for the SX3.5 in its various forms - D, Z, P, from other distributors around the world, especially from the U.S. - their biggest market. It is possible that Axminster will have it soon too - but difficult to say. For the three year warranty comfort, you may be better considering to buy it from them, if and when they have it. We only offer one year warranty.

You are welcome to visit us Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 12.30pm. We have the machines on display. I am uncertain if we will be able to turn the SX3.5DZP on, as we may have robbed the inner to remove certain parts to fix some of the problems to which I refer above. We may be awaiting replacement parts or arrange a time to fix the model on display.

If you do decide to visit, do call and let us know when you intend to come. Ian, I or a member of our team will make ourselves available to see you. After you see the machine and talk to us, you may decide that the machine or ARC are not suitable for your needs, or, we may respectfully decline your interest in the machine, if we still feel that the machine is not suitable for you. We do have conversations with potential buyers pre-purchase to ascertain suitability, especially for this machine as it is a new addition. There are many occassions when we have directed potential buyers elsewhere. Because of the reasons mentioned above, I would like to make you aware that when we had these machines in stock, we have declined around five orders for the SX3.5DZP, and in most cases the potential buyers have understood, with one potential buyer complaining to SIEG. SIEG requested us to re-consider, but we politely refused.

We do not take back-orders. You can click on the 'notify me when back in stock' link on our website for this machine and put in your email address. Once the machine is back in stock, the system will automatically send you an email to say it is back in stock.

Yesterday, Roger Warren (WARCO) and I were discussing various issues. During our conversation I asked him if he had the machine you were considering in stock, and he said that he did. Like ourselves, they too have delivery issues for certain machines at present, on a larger scale than us as their range is extensive, but the machine you were considering is in stock in the U.K., and he will be happy to service your requirement.

Keeping what I have said above in mind, I hope you will agree that you will be better served for your machine requirement with WARCO, Chester, WABICO, as all three have models which already have a very longer history, rather than the SX3.5DZP which has just come to market.

As we have not met you and as we can only go by understanding the posts you have made so far on this forum; based on your limited experience of lathework and mill, combined with what I have said above for this machine, I would respectfully say that the probability of your considering this machine, or our selling you it, are both low. Either you or we as ARC may change our view if and when we talk face to face, which is also a possibility.

Ketan at ARC

That is a good suggestion and a great bargain Alan.

Ketan at ARC.

2.4m is helpfully higher than my ordinary 2.25 ceiling but keep a close eye on height if looking to buy a big mill. Door lintels and light fittings are likely to reduce head-space, but I've found it much easier to manoeuvrer a heavy machine when there's plenty of room in all directions. Always possible to squeeze a machine into its minimum envelope but it can be hard work, especially if a top-heavy machine has to be tilted. (Don't be near a falling machine tool!)

And when planning space don't forget maintenance; awkward to remove the head when it's too close to the ceiling. (I remember a post where a chap cut a hole in his to get a little more wriggle room.)

Must be wonderful to have a big workshop where a forklift can drive an awkward machine straight in from the delivery lorry and plonk it down in exactly the right place. Much harder to move the same machine up a flight of steps, through a garden gate, across a vegetable patch, and into a cramped wooden shed. People manage, but careful planning reduces the need for bad language! Be extra wary of heavy moving when inexperienced - it definitely gets easier and safer with practise.

Dave

Good pile of tooling, vice, clamps etc with that Senior. Thats the thing with buying a bare new mill - you can then spend as much again on all the accessories you need to use it to full potential.

If it helps, I bought an SX2.7 mill from ARC and have been impressed with the machine and with customer service. Feel free to contact me if I can help.

David

JasonB: Errr, I'm not about to rush out and buy a mill from Arc; don't really need a fourth milling machine. Anyway, I'm probably on Ketan's no sell list as an awkward customer.

Agreed that on the CNC mill I tend to run smaller cutters at faster speeds than I do on the Bridgeport. Partly because the CNC mill is VFD/motor so slow speeds mean a loss of power. The Bridgeport is limited by power (1.5hp) and lack of rigidity. But I can still run it to maximum power. When I get time I'll try faster speeds on aluminium. The horizontal mill is feedrate limited, but it's till possible to take cuts in steel that use all the available power (5hp). Seems fine with a geared drive on interrupted cuts. I guess it depends upon the quality and type of gear.

Andrew

lol no... but you are on the industrial gorilla list ... one step up from awkward

Ketan at ARC

Can't argue with that assessment!

Andrew

Steve,

Do make the journey to Syston, to talk to Ketan.

I am sure that he will be quite open with you, as you should gather from his posts on here.

You will learn something, and the conversation will no doubt clarify your views.

Even if you do not buy a machine from him, you will be better prepared in your search for a machine for your purposes.

Hooward

I am just looking at lots of other makes of milling machines now. It does seem as others have said there a quite a few that are the same & just different branding & colour. A large machine is definitely out & I mean the 1 1/2 ton monsters that can be had cheaply. It is a shame the Sieg SX3.5DZP is not available as it does look to hit everything all the others have , but with a bit more. Looks very neat & everything inbuilt. I am surprised others have not done this. I cannot see that I would ever need to do any heavy work with a mill. If I did, I have a few friends that have large machines, so that would not be a problem.

I have been doing some work using the lathe with milling cutters in the chuck, using the vertical attachment to cut slots in Acetal bar, but it's such a pain setting up. I will have to take a trip down to see the Sieg machines. I will soon be doing quite a lot of slotting in Alloy bar & a milling machine would be a great thing to have to do this kind of work.

I am in Leeds so I guess it would be about 1 to 1 1/2 drive. I will give them a ring this coming week. Also yes Ketan does call a spade a spade. But that is good. Would be pointless if everyone said oh yes that will do what you need & then not. The one Alan Waddington is selling is to buy my friends Beaver. It does look a good machine.

Steve.

One thing to watch is vertical clearance for a drawbar - in my original workshop I had to cut a hole in the ceiling plasterboard to allow me to remove the drawbar, fortunately it cleared the underside of the upstairs floorboards by about 1/8"...

Steve, I am surprised you are not considering the Senior it is well within your budget, will fit into your space, looks to be in nice condition with some tooling and DRO.

That made me laugh. Just thinking of, if it went right through. Luckily I have nearly 8'. 2.4 metres. Went I built the garage I made it as high as poss because I was going to put a car lift in. Was rebuilding quite a few Insurance write offs. But had enough of crawling under cars. Hence the little workshop Regards.

Steve.

Edited By Alan Waddington 2 on 08/03/2020 15:36:28

Hi Alan I will txt louise about the Beaver. Once you know the price of that you will be shocked I think. £800. It has been stood a while so will need a dam good clean up. But all there. Just got a back ache thinking of you moving it. Ok I just rang her now. She said she had left you a message on your phone. She says she will ring you later today. Regards

Steve.

Cheers Steve, will let you know how i get on

Check the Number you P.M me with & I will make sure I resend it to her if correct. Just to be sure. I am going to look at the Tom Senior tomorrow. Ketan at Arc had already told me that the chances or them selling me the model I liked, was LOW. So with that I am probably better getting one from someone who wants to sell. I value any input on this forum.Fingers crossed.

Steve.

Add up the extras with that TS. DRO - £200, milling vise - £100, ER collets and chuck - £100, Clarkson - £50, work-holding set - £50. All good items and most needed with a mill. Make an offer that is agreeable to both parties.

I’ve never seen a vertical mill located under a door lintel, as yet😀.

Not really heavier than my Centec and may be lighter. I moved that into my workshop on my own.

There is always a chance of losing money on it, but it should not be much if bought at the right price. They are highly rated - and olde british manufacture.🙂.

Likely my short-list, if I was in the market for a vertical mill...