Fitting a DRO to the Sieg SX2 milling machine

Hi, I am just about to purchase my first milling machine, which will be the Sieg SX2 from Arc Eurotrade, with a R8 taper .

Has anybody who owns this machine got any words of wisdom, any pertinent observations ? TBH, I am actually purchasing the machine as a precision drill, and what I do require is accurate hole centre placement.

If anybody out there has fitted a ( 2-axis) DRO to the Sieg SX2, I would be enormously grateful for any tips, hints etc ...

TIA ...

Hi

i bought the same spec machine from the same supplier @ 18 months ago. I fitted a 3 axis DRO and display. Have a look in my albums, I posted some photos a while back. I destroyed the x axis DRO at the weekend by getting some swarf in it.. It gouged some nasty grooves in the pcb. Make sure you protect them from swarf. I plan to order another next week. The DROs are great, and for a novice like me transformed the work I'm doing on it. I also fitted a gas spring, bought from little machine shop and a home made motor drive on the x axis. That is a must do for any future machine.

**LINK**

Bob.

Thanks for reply, Bob. Might I ask where you obtained the DRO's from and how easy was it to fit them ? Maybe the answer is in your albums ... I will check them out .

Thanks again !

Murray

Hi Murray

They came from arc. The fitting was pretty straightforward . Except the lack of a guard on the x axis. I would have liked to have fitted it on the back of the table but it was tight and cut down the travel on the y axis.

mine is on x axis...its excellent but no swarf guard and i loose an inch travel either side

Thanks guys.

Does the fitting of a 2 axis DRO from Arc involve drilling and tapping at any point ? ...

Apologies for elementary questions ... like I say it's my first milling machine, although I have operated a Bridgeport before with a 2 axis DRO ...but never had occasion to figure out how it was attached ...

Drilling, tapping, making the brackets and I also cut the end of the x axis scale.

I bought my super sx2 from arc about 18 months ago, decided to fit the Igaging scales from arc after comming across the touch dro project from yuris toys web site. Yes it does involve drilling and tapping to mount the scales but is very simple (well it was in my case). I covered the scales with rubber from an old bike tyre inner tube to keep the award off. I have also fitted an rpm meter ( module from China ( eBay)) £6.99 much better than £100 + for the proper item. My z axis scale was mounted on the left side of the column so the useless torsion arm had to go and was replaced with some counterbalance weights.

I would recommend the super sx2 if that is all you can afford or accommodate, but as is postulated on here quite frequently bigger is better. In reality it is a toy, but it does what I need it to do.

Hi Howard

i'm interested in details of your rpm meter if your happy to share??

Bob

Murrmac, you will definitely have to drill and tap parts of the tables when you fit the DRO's. You will also have to machine the mounting plates to suit your machine as they are cast and have rough uneven surfaces. Also you may have to make some table stops on the X axis so that you do not overrun the scale. I took the X axis table off to complete the job anyway. Cleaned and re-greased it. Its surprising what you find. Give yourself plenty of space to work in as you will be leaning over and around the castings. All well worth the cost and effort as it makes machining a doddle with all the functions. Much more accurate and I never look at the spindle scales now.

Clive

Thanks again.

I am sure there will be a video on Youtube somewhere showing how to fit the DROs.

I agree that bigger would in fact be better, but the specs of the Super Sx2 will be ample for what I want it for .... accurately spaced holes in workpieces no longer than 250mm.

Interesting tip about the z axis scale ...I don't anticipate requiring one but I will bear your advice in mind if I ever do.

I probably use the z axis most!

I very much appreciate all the info and advice here ...

Clive, these rough cast mounting plates ... do they come supplied as part of the kit with the DRO ?