Quote Originally Posted by hedeon View Post
Hi.

I am a newbie in to the world of CNC, but have been dealing with self-build 3D printers for some time, so some concepts are similar.

I am trying to pick a milling machine as a base for future conversion to CNC. I am stuck between 3 machines, Sieg SX2.7, Warco WM16B, and WM18, but would like to discuss 2 of them here.
WM18 is only a little bit pricier than WM16B (£1450 vs £1250) but is a bigger machine substantially. Weight alone is 220kg vs 125 kg and much wider ways. Just from specs WM18 looks like a much better machine, however, there is one downside - spindle speed. WM18 spins 2250rpm vs 3000rpm in WM16B. I know that this is important factor for CNC. How much? Can you guys give me your thoughts about it? I will be machining mainly in aluminum but would like to try some harder materials as well. This is for hobby use, rather small parts for now.

P.S. I would also consider GH18 but this gets only max 1450rpm... Is it worth concidering?
In my personal opinion.

I looked at the Warco but I've now changed my mind.
I'm holding out for the Amadeal instead:
http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/AM...hless-Motor---
AMA_MI_AMAT25LV_MM.html#SID=373
2800rpm & 185mm Y travel sounds good enough to me.

http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/AM...8.html#SID=380
I'd be looking to up the rpm at some point, the rest don't need changing.

Supposedly getting both in stock with R8 spindle but saying it will be 2 months at least.
If you noticed most things over here have been oos for a while from Amadeal, Warco and Toolco. Basically all of them told me there are manufacturing restrictions over in China atm so orders are all delayed.

There is a Warco WM18 in stock but it's geared and I want a belted.
If you want one now and don't mind geared get the Warco 18 but I think I'd get the AMAT25 this year and the AMAT30 next year.

I already have a SiegX2 converted but I've pushed it to it's near demise so need something bigger that can handle things. The X2 will be making all the parts for the Amadeal.

On the Amadeal I plan on using 420oz nema23 x,y and a 1600oz nema34 z from Wantai motor on ebay running off Mach3 via a dedicated Windows XP PC.
Already have the electronics together, I'll be using GX16 connectors and I recommend using screened cables.