SX2P - Thrust Bearings??

I have had an original X2 Mill for a number of years, which is now in pieces whilst undergoing a long running conversion to CNC, including the longer base and solid column upgrade.

I need another mill and have been looking at the SX2P which seems generally well liked. However, looking at the exploded parts diagram on Arc's website I cannot see any sign of thrust races for the X and Y leadscrews. There appear to be just bearing blocks.

Can anyone enlighten me as to how leadscrew thrust is is handled on the these machines?

I think that, like the SX2, they are plain bearings which is usually the case on smaller non-CNC machines.

If you call Arc they will advise if they have a suitable aftermarket thrust bearings.

Neil

You need to go upto the SX2.7 before you get thrust bearings

Thanks for the quick response.

I have just had a quick look at the SX2 parts diagram and it appears to retain the double row thrust bearings on the X-axis as also used on the original X2. both the X2 and SX2 had plain bearings on the Y-axis. (Both exploded parts diagrams have the axis incorrectly labeled!). It would appear that the thrust bearings were dropped on the current SX2P version.

As I have not seen any adverse comments regarding the operation of the X-axis leadscrew I will assume it is satisfactory and not put me off ordering one.

When I have a moment I will post a bit about the current problem I have with the CNC conversion of the X2 and will be interested to know if any one else has encountered the same issue.

I'm sure my X2 hasn't got thrust bearings on either axis, but it is an early version.

Neil

My X2 definitely has thrust bearings on the X-axis and its quite old. Arc's X2 (Old X2 Mini Mill Spares) page shows the bearings. I know there were quite a few variations of this mill, mine's a Warco Mini Mill, but as far as I know they all had thrust bearings on the X-axis.

I seem to remember Ketan saying that the new SX2P used some of the base/table parts from the 1 series which does not have the bearings. The older X2 and SX2 have a different base casting and look to have the thrust bearings.

Mine is a SX2P and the manual (if you can call it that) is a bit of a joke, apparently the SX2P doesnt have an X axis it has two Y axis, one short running front to back and one long running left to right.. It also has qty 3, "yes 3" leadscrew nuts on the long Y axis according to the parts list...lol. So the manual and its drawings are not to be trusted but it doesnt show any thrust bearings, which probably means it does have them ? but it probably got that bit right and it doesnt.

Anyway, I have experienced no problems with mine and the only adverse comment I have seen regarding the X axis is, and I quote "the X axis is probably not engineered as good as it could be" but as I say, I have found no issues.

Ron

Edited By Ron Laden on 07/11/2018 08:34:54

Edited By Ron Laden on 07/11/2018 08:36:41

If you look at my thread on converting the SX2P to CNC you will see that adding thrust bearings is easy.

**LINK**

http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/4524-Sieg-SX2-Plus-build?highlight=russell

Russell

Thank you for the link Russell, that does look easy and certainly a mod I will do on my mill.

Ron

I added thrust bearings to an SX2P. All it required was boring the right size blind holes in the bearing blocks. Very low risk. If you mess up, buy a new bearing block. Definitely worth doing.

There’s a series running in ME at this time on the cnc conversion of an SX2 plus. Have a look at that it’s a fully dimensioned series

It's worth reading this too:

www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=119335

Neil