Thread: X2 mini mill & enclosure

**QSPSB** · 12-06-2009, 10:02 PM

Well my new X2 mini mill will arrive on Thursday the 17th,, I've nearly got the enclosure built. I'm just waiting on the Herculiner to arrive... It's built much like Hoss X2 freak enclosure.. It's a tad smaller though.. 48'' X 30'' X 24'' As a matter a fact i have been chatting with Hoss on many things regarding the Mini mill and he has been of great help to me... I plan on converting it within a few months... Here is what I'm going to install for now... I will then attempt to upgrade it with more CNC options later down the road.

http://www.stirlingsteele.com/beltdrive.html
Kit #4 http://www.cncfusion.com/minimill1.html
http://www.kelinginc.net/CNCNEMA23G540Package.html

Here are a few shots of the Mill enclosure... I'll update this thread as i progress on the Mill

**hoss2006** · 12-06-2009, 11:30 PM

You might want to refuse the delivery of the herculiner and get some epoxy paint instead.
The herculiner repels oil well but the little rubber pellets in the mix grab and hold onto the chips so they don't flow to the drain.
It's a mess to apply too.
A good epoxy paint, put on nice and thick will give a smooth finish and be watertight.
Just a thought.
Hoss

**pete from TN** · 12-07-2009, 12:10 AM

And I will add that I did my enclosure for my Rf45 out of wood and I went down to the local auto parts store and bought a can of resin and some fiberglass cloth and some rubber gloves for like $20.00 and use it to seal the seams with the resin/cloth and then use the rest of the container of resin to seal all of the plywood. It can be brushed on and is very easy to use. Then follow it with some epoxy or urethane based industrial paint. Put a bunch of coats of the paint on and the chips seem to just wipe away. I also have not had ANY LEAKS!!! Keep some of the paint aside for touch up too as I managed to drop a TTS holder the other day and chipped the paint pretty good. Just touched it up, let it sit overnite and you're good to go. The wood does a nice job of absorbing vibration too. THat looks like a very well made enclosure from the pics, you would'nt be a cabinetmaker too would ya? peace

**QSPSB** · 12-07-2009, 12:13 AM

Bummer!

Thank's for the heads up on the herculiner hoss... It's funny because i thought about them rubber pieces blocking the flow... Well i suppose i could go with http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...007&lpage=none

I'm willing to bet this stuff will work out

**QSPSB** · 12-07-2009, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by pete from TN

And I will add that I did my enclosure for my Rf45 out of wood and I went down to the local auto parts store and bought a can of resin and some fiberglass cloth and some rubber gloves for like $20.00 and use it to seal the seams with the resin/cloth and then use the rest of the container of resin to seal all of the plywood. It can be brushed on and is very easy to use. Then follow it with some epoxy or urethane based industrial paint. Put a bunch of coats of the paint on and the chips seem to just wipe away. I also have not had ANY LEAKS!!! Keep some of the paint aside for touch up too as I managed to drop a TTS holder the other day and chipped the paint pretty good. Just touched it up, let it sit overnite and you're good to go. The wood does a nice job of absorbing vibration too. THat looks like a very well made enclosure from the pics, you would'nt be a cabinetmaker too would ya? peace

That's a good idea too... I sealed my enclosure with PL construction adhesive.. No I'm not a cabinet maker... LOL.. I'm an automotive business owner... I've done alot of home remodeling over the years. so needless to say.. The enclosure was a cake walk to build for me

Thanks

**pete from TN** · 12-07-2009, 12:55 AM

I actually assembled the enclosure with pocket screws everywhere and then used construction adhesive to kinda hold everything together and also to seal things , then I hit it with the fiberglass and resin, then paint. NO LEAKS!!! peace

Pete

**QSPSB** · 12-08-2009, 12:05 AM

yeah i secured mine with 1 1/2'' #2 drywall screws and the construction adhesive.. It's strong that's for sure. Well after speaking to my brother in-law about this project he suggested i use Rust-Oleum marine coatings on it... He has a home made drill press type setup with a massive cross slide system and flood table and he sealed his enclosure with it and has had no issues at all... So i took his advise and now have the first coat applied.. It states it needs to cure for 24 hrs between coats so it's going to be a few days before it's done...I'm really surprised how well it covered for the first coat.. and the shine.. wohhhooo this baby is going to be sweet looking when done.. I may even paint the mill to match... I'm not to fond of that sieg red color anyways.. Here is a link to the paint..
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=4

**HellPhish** · 12-08-2009, 07:23 AM

i assume youre going to have a shop vac setup on it? ive been wondering wht ill do for the X2 im ordering.

**QSPSB** · 12-08-2009, 01:32 PM

Nope! No need for shop vac. I'm installing a duel flood coolant system.. much like Hoss setup except I'm going to run duel drains and duel outlets off a 1560 GPH pump.

Pump> http://cgi.ebay.com/1560-gph-water-f...item414849291e

Hoss 1> http://www.youtube.com/user/hossmach...63/dKjsIi6Fnzo

Hoss 2> http://www.youtube.com/user/hossmach...10/TpFEmvz0oEw

**hoss2006** · 12-08-2009, 09:59 PM

1560 GPH? you could do some pressure washing with that, JK

Good find on Ebay, I'll remember that one, thanks.
Hoss

**HellPhish** · 12-09-2009, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by QSPSB

Nope! No need for shop vac. I'm installing a duel flood coolant system.. much like Hoss setup except I'm going to run duel drains and duel outlets off a 1560 GPH pump.

Pump> http://cgi.ebay.com/1560-gph-water-f...item414849291e

Hoss 1> http://www.youtube.com/user/hossmach...63/dKjsIi6Fnzo

Hoss 2> http://www.youtube.com/user/hossmach...10/TpFEmvz0oEw

hmm, seems like an interesting setup. though, if you came up with a way to keep everything from getting a nice coat of "silver"...

**QSPSB** · 12-09-2009, 12:38 AM

LOL.. yeah when it comes to machining thing it wont stay clean for long... But then again that's why i built a enclosure...

Hoss> yeah i think this pump will put out some serious pressure.. It sounds like a decent pump, along with a great warranty as well.

**SCzEngrgGroup** · 12-09-2009, 05:30 AM

"yeah i think this pump will put out some serious pressure.. " - Not likely. That pump is designed for high flow, not high pressure. The specs indicated maximum head of 13.5 feet, which is about 5 PSI.

Regards,
Ray L.

**QSPSB** · 12-09-2009, 01:43 PM

Hmmm.. According to my calculations it's more like 40 PSI

At any rate it will have enough flow for my setup

**QSPSB** · 12-09-2009, 11:19 PM

I've been looking at various sites for tools for the mill and ran across some fairly good looking deals on ebay... I'm wondering if any of you guys here have bought any tools from this guy or not... He goes by 800watt... i surely don't want to purchase any cheap stuff or worse yet.. GET RIPPED OFF!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-8-Shank-2-Bori...item518ec45254

http://cgi.ebay.com/R8-3-INDEXABLE-F...item518eda61c6

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-PC-KEY-DRILL-C...item518ef09f1d

Thanks

**SCzEngrgGroup** · 12-10-2009, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by QSPSB

I've been looking at various sites for tools for the mill and ran across some fairly good looking deals on ebay... I'm wondering if any of you guys here have bought any tools from this guy or not... He goes by 800watt... i surely don't want to purchase any cheap stuff or worse yet.. GET RIPPED OFF!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-8-Shank-2-Bori...item518ec45254

http://cgi.ebay.com/R8-3-INDEXABLE-F...item518eda61c6

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-PC-KEY-DRILL-C...item518ef09f1d

Thanks

800Watt has, by far, the WORST reputation of any tool seller I know. There are TONS of complaints about the quality of his wares, and far more about his "service". It often takes a VERY long time to receive your order, and good luck if there's a problem with it. He does NOT communicate with customers.

Pumps like this are rated based on how high they can pump the water, above the level of the pump. One foot of "head" is the pressure under one foot of water, which is 0.444 PSI. So, 13.5 feet of head is 13.5 * 0.444 = 5.994 PSI.

Regards,
Ray L.

**hoss2006** · 12-10-2009, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by QSPSB

I've been looking at various sites for tools for the mill and ran across some fairly good looking deals on ebay... I'm wondering if any of you guys here have bought any tools from this guy or not... He goes by 800watt... i surely don't want to purchase any cheap stuff or worse yet.. GET RIPPED OFF!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-8-Shank-2-Bori...item518ec45254

http://cgi.ebay.com/R8-3-INDEXABLE-F...item518eda61c6

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-PC-KEY-DRILL-C...item518ef09f1d

Thanks

His prices are tempting, sometimes too tempting, thats why I'm giving him another shot, burned me before.
It's been 9 days since I paid for a scale and it's not here yet and I've received no email when to expect it. Same as before.
Still, $60 less than anyone else will buy him some leeway this time.
I CAN recommend Discount Machine on Ebay, great prices and superfast shipping.
CDCO is also tops and cheap.
Hoss

**kawazuki** · 12-10-2009, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by HimyKabibble

Pumps like this are rated based on how high they can pump the water, above the level of the pump. One foot of "head" is the pressure under one foot of water, which is 0.444 PSI. So, 13.5 feet of head is 13.5 * 0.444 = 5.994 PSI.
Regards,
Ray L.

And that will be at the pump outlet not the point of discharge. The flow rating given will be at zero head - expect it to be significantly lower the higher it pumps - don't be suprised if flow at max head is maybe 100 - 200gal/hr! Again it is a mag drive pump whose rotor will suck out any steel swarf and fur up after extended use - think magnetic sump plug in your auto!

**yantra3d** · 12-10-2009, 02:49 PM

Same experience here with 800watt. Didn't receive my item for more than 10 days and couldn't get response until after I filed a complaint with eBay/paypal and then he contacted me saying it would be another week or so before he could even get the item!

Hey, here's an idea; let's list everything we can on eBay and then when someone sends us the money we'll go buy it for them and then ship it out. Just think, zero overhead or investment. Heck, eBay will allow it, why not? I think I'll start with some 100oz gold bars.

**QSPSB** · 12-10-2009, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the feedback on this guy guy's... I think i will just look into Discount Machine on ebay... I bought a nice cross slide table and clamp kit from them a few years ago and had 0 issues with them..

Well the Mill is now home... I can't believe how much of that red grease crap they put on these things... After about an hour or so of cleaning it i realized the mill is even red.. Just joking! It looks to be a very nice little mill to convert.. I'm ordering the Stirlingsteel belt drive here soon and some 1/2'' aluminum plate that will be placed under the base of the mill.. and some 1/2'' aluminum plate to make a column brace for it... Hopefully i will have it all converted within a few months or soo