Centec 2A or Sieg x3

[Web Goblin]

Morning all.
Well after losing out on a Centec 2A with a vertical head on ebay the other night I started looking around at other mills. From several sites the Sieg X3 seems to be a good recommendation but one video I watched of it cutting looked like the head was shaking all over the place.
Does anyone have any experience with the X3? Should I really hold out and get a centec?

[i2i]

i would hold out for a centec or similar.

[i2i]

if you have the space go for something bigger, you'll get a lot for your money at bridgeport sized machines.

[Web Goblin]

Unfortunately I cant get anything bigger, dont think the floor would take the weight.
Anyone know how to edit the title of a post? The "an" bit should be 2A.

[John S]

I personally can't comment as I have never run or owned a Centec but two of my friends have replaced centecs wit an X3 and a Super X 3 because of capacity issues, namly lack of hight.

[jonnydeen]

if i was you i would hold out for a 2B, they usually go for around the price of a new x3 with comparable envelope, but don't come up that often.
the 2a is a lovely lump of good ol fashioned iron and although their travel is seriously limiting there are ways around that
i have a centec 2 in the shed, its one rigid little bugger but it would really benefit from a table transplant (hmmm X3 extra long table + centec 2????)

[Web Goblin]

Some of the centecs do seem to have very short tables. I have also seen a few with riser blocks fitted to extend the vertical height. Looks like I will be holding out for a centec then.

[i2i]

Centec 2A Milling Machine On Cabinet - Model Makers - With Brake REDUCED -99p | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Centec-2A-Milling-Machine-On-Cabinet-Model-Makers-With-Brake-REDUCED-99p-/320969369643?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4abb43e82b)

Centec milling machine | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Centec-milling-machine-/280933640745?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4168f32a29)

Centec 2A milling machine 1 phase | eBay (http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=20518X781349&site=mycncuk.com&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FCentec-2A-machine-milling-1-phase-%2F170901361059%3Fpt%3DUK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling _Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET%26hash%3Ditem27c a83d1a3&xguid=2fc1e0cadd70f4671bfb46492d789bc6&xcreo=0&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mycncuk.com%2Fforums%2Fgener al-discussion%2F5009-centec-2a-sieg-x3.html)

Centec 2B Vertical / Horizontal Milling Machine | eBay (http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=20518X781349&site=mycncuk.com&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FCentec-2B-Vertical-Horizontal-Milling-Machine-%2F320970710185%3Fpt%3DLH_DefaultDomain_3%26hash%3 Ditem4abb585ca9&xguid=2fc1e0cadd70f4671bfb46492d789bc6&xcreo=0&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mycncuk.com%2Fforums%2Fgener al-discussion%2F5009-centec-2a-sieg-x3.html)

Centec Mk.3 Vertical Head For A Centec Milling Machine | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Centec-Mk-3-Vertical-Head-For-A-Centec-Milling-Machine-/190719070493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c67be111d)

GENTEC 2 Milling Machine | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENTEC-2-Milling-Machine-/261090431954?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cca33d3d2&clk_rvr_id=381283281033&afsrc=1#ht_481wt_1417)

[i2i]

thanks Jonathan.

[Web Goblin]

I2i, I have have been looking at all of them on ebay for a while now. Some of those machines have been advertised more than twice now. The problem is the distance away from me and I dont know if I would trust a courier to move it.

[i2i]

i've used loads of couriers, and as long as the machine is within the size of the pallet and secured to it, you should be fine.

[jonnydeen]

I2i, I have have been looking at all of them on ebay for a while now. Some of those machines have been advertised more than twice now. The problem is the distance away from me and I dont know if I would trust a courier to move it.

i bought my centec 2 on ebay and had it shipped over from the mainland to northern ireland, the biggest worry was getting the seller to put it on a pallet.

66966697

btw if you can, make sure it has the vertical head with it, they are wild expensive on their own

[Web Goblin]

Might have to go down the delivery route. I am looking at another option at the moment. There is one for sale near alton towers where I will be next weekend. The problem will be transport. I could take my trailer with me but I have no idea where I could safely park it until its time to come home. Waiting on some more photos of the machine Im looking at.

[i2i]

secure parking like some multistorey car parks, or safestore may be able to handle it. Or collect it on the day you return.

[Web Goblin]

Bit of an update. I won a 2A the other night on ebay, the blue one it was. It should be delivered to my mates workshop on Wednesday. I will strip it down there and bring it back to mine for a rebuild and new paint job. I've also just won the Mk3 vertical head on ebay as well tonight. I should hopefully pick it up next weekend as we are down that way anyway.

[irving2008]

Bit of an update. I won a 2A the other night on ebay, the blue one it was. It should be delivered to my mates workshop on Wednesday. I will strip it down there and bring it back to mine for a rebuild and new paint job. I've also just won the Mk3 vertical head on ebay as well tonight. I should hopefully pick it up next weekend as we are down that way anyway.

Excellent, I was looking at those and wondering if you were bidding...

[Fortis64]

Morning all.
Well after losing out on a Centec 2A with a vertical head on ebay the other night I started looking around at other mills. From several sites the Sieg X3 seems to be a good recommendation but one video I watched of it cutting looked like the head was shaking all over the place.
Does anyone have any experience with the X3? Should I really hold out and get a centec?

Hi,I'm new to this forum ,been lurking for a while . I've recently refurbished a Centec2 which is in amazing condition considering it was made in the late 40's .