Sieg SuperX3 unable to tilt head

The tilting head of my Sieg Super X3 mill won't tilt. The recessed releasing screw on the side of the machine just rotates but releases nothing. The manual that came with the mill tells me nothing and the there is no diagram to show how the releasing mechanism works.

I remember seeing something about this problem in one of the Sieg forums but now can't find it again. I also remember seeing an article with photos showing a complete strip down of the same machine but can't find that again either.

I am prepared to strip the machine down to fix the problem but before doing so I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has fixed this problem before as to whether it is fixable or needs new parts. I don't want to have the mill in pieces for weeks waiting for parts.

Any comments or advice or reference to a detailed manual would be very much appreciated.

I did find an indirect reference to this problem in one of Metalalhacker's posts back in 2011 but couldn't follow it up

Bill A

Bill,

I had this problem when I first used mine. The allen head screw is not in fact a screw. It controls a pinion which moves a locating stud backwards to release the head to tilt. When I tried it I turned anticlockwise which sheared a pin in the assembly and it would not release. I then had to disassemblle the head to repair it. To release turn it clockwise about 1/4 turn or so. On mine it does not hold the head located square anyway whenlocated so i will remove it when and if I next strip the head down.( good guide on arc eurotrade website.) Tram the head straight when returning to upright and hold the pin out till the front bolts are done up. There is a better user guide to the SX3 on the Grizzly websute. I forget the number their machine is called but the PDF is freely downloadable and has a good exploded diagram of the machine.

good luck

Andries

Thanks Andries, I don't recall ever forcing the allen key but I assumed it had lost contact with the release mechanism. I will look up the guides you have provided to get an idea of how it works. I have presumed the mechanism is not in the head itself but in the mounting bracket and the whole mounting bracket wii have to be removed from the column to get at it. Is that the case? I will know more about it when I see the diagrams anyway.

i always tram the head after moving or trying to move it just to be sure.

Thanks for the very prompt response to my query.

bill A

Hi Bill,

it sounds as if the roll pin that joins the allen head to the pinion has bust. I would follow the Arc instructions to detach the head from the rotation plate behind it

you then need to detach the side head elevating plates from the block attached to the Z leadscrew, it means taking the sheet metal back cover off. Then raise it as high as you can and there is a round plate screwed in accessed from the back of the rotation plate. There is a spring in there so be careful. The pin will come out leaving the pinion held by a screw which prevents lateral motion. Once that is out you can manoevre the pinion out the side. Not easy, I used a sharp right angle marking scribe which gave just enough grip to pull it out. If the allen head bolt is broken, as mine was turn down an M8 bolt to fit, then replace the rollpin and you are ready to reassemble. It is important to see the locating screw allows free movement before replacing the locating pin etc. Or....... Dont replace it at all and rely on accurate tramming to locate square and prevent further hassle!

good luck

Andries

Hello Bill,

The hexagon slot at the side of the mill is not a screw, it is the end of a pinion shaft and the locking pin has a rack machined on its bottom side. Sometimes it may stick and jamb. To tilt the head, loosen the 2 clamp screws and apply a turning force with a hex key while jiggling the head to loosen the locking pin. The imaqes below show the internals of the mill and may explain how the rack and pinion lock pin works.

Regards, Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 23/06/2014 11:11:13

Hi Andries & Paul

Thanks for all the info. From your detailed description Andries and the very clear diagrams Paul sent, I now feel quite confident to carry out the repair.

It's amazing, I have been searching for this info for weeks, not thinking it was important enough to raise a new thread in the forum. Having seen Metalhackers indirect reference, some years ago, to the problem, I thought it might be worth asking for help and within 2 days, I had exactly the info I was looking for.

Thanks again and in future, I will be more courageous in asking for help! I like to think I should be able to these things without bothering other people.

Bill

No worries Mate. I'd like to think we'd all help each other out when needed.

Good luck with your projects Bill,

There are a lot of knowledgeable members in MEW who are more than willing to share their experiences. Don't hesitate to ask a question..

Regards, Paul.

Paul,

Is that drawing in solidworks or Inventor ?

Hi John,

I imported the model into Solidworks. Downloaded it from:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-205444.html

Regards, Paul.

Hi Bill,

how have you got on?

andries

Hi Andries

i haven't started yet. I am in the middle of remaking the valve cam mechanism on my latest model (so it works the way it should) and I don't want to strip the mill until that is finished. I feel quite confident in rectifying the mill problem now that I know what the workings are but I don't like having too many jobs on the go at any one time. It doesn't take much to confuse me these days.

I will certainly post my results when I get there. Thanks for asking.

Bill A

Hi All

Well, I finally plucked up enough courage to strip my Sieg mill to fix the tilting problem. Because of all the detailed info you all provided, particularly the exploded drawings Paul included, it was much simpler than I anticipated. I didn't disconnect the electrics so had to strap the main head and the back cover to the mill table so I didn't accidentally knock it off.

Unfortunately I was unable to get the allen pinion out of the body to fix it but was able to remove the locking pin and leave it out when I reassembled the mill. I can now tilt the head but don't have a fixed stop at 0 & 45 degrees. That doesn't bother me as I always tram the head after any movement anyway.

Thanks again to you all for your guidance. I will certainly call for help next time I need some assistance.

Bill A

Hi Biil,

I don't rely on the fixed angle stops. They are not that accurate and I always set the head angle square with the aid of a dial indicator attached to a swing arm on the spindle.

Paul.

Hi Paul

Same here. I have made a long arm to hold the dial indicator in the chuck to tram the head. It doesn't take long but as sure as as I don't do it, the chuck won't be square.

Bill A

Guys, I would like to thank to you all for creating the topic and sharing detailed information and solutions. I've just broke the allen nut today and couldn't dare to disassembly till I've hit your thread. As Paul mentioned I will remove the pin completely and set 0 / 45° manually since I do also don't rely on the pre-set angles.