X2 Mini Mill Belt Drive Conversion

Converting the X2 Mini Milling machine to use the Sterling Steele belt drive.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• X2 Mini-Mill
• Beltdrive
• Milling
• Lathe
• Machine
• turning
• sieg mini-mill.

[Martuszewski]

STOP NOW,NOT GOOD: Mills are made to move at low RPM's(400:steel -1400+:wood) do to heating up your bit, and item; In fact, a rubber belt with a non-tengner pully track is not good. Example, all cars has a tengner on the alternator belt. Right! Thin small belts on a load in time will slip. As a consumer, I would infact rather keep what come with the item save money and save my warranty. Noise is not that bad use eye-plugs.$2.98 for a box of 50. I clean them with soap and use them agen.

[richieT737]

I fitted this over 2 years ago. It has never slipped. Speed range is much improved. You can still run at low RPM I am not sure what point you are making there. I suggest you use coolant to stop your tool and work from over heating. The plastic gears that came with the item are notorious for breaking and are you really suggesting that worn plastic gears are more efficient than the belt drive that can be adjusted to the correct tension if required.

[slider7w]

Thanks for the guide! I just put the belt drive in mine tonight. I wrecked something on the low gearing side in the head and decided to just get the belt kit without fixing the gears. :P I'm having my kit anodized blue to match the paint scheme.

[richieT737]

That will look good. Let me know if you post a picture of the anodized kit I would really like to see it.

[radiozener]

Thought I would have more time before I needed to replace the plastic gear..hah! Only 2 weeks into using the mill I trashed it. While waiting for LMS to ship this kit, I have fully prepped the machine to add the new parts. Thanks for the great video, it shows how easy this really is to perform!

[richieT737]

2 weeks is plain bad luck. You will enjoy a huge improvement when your belt drive arrives though. Good luck. Rich

[hoarp001]

@yefi2 Axminster won't sell the drive conversion, as that's not made by sieg, they sell the milling machines.

[alfetta753]

@pitbike2006 It is intentional, the plastic gear is replaceable and intended to break if there is a jam up thereby protecting the rest of the drive train from more serious damage.

[1908ME1]

interesting video, but one thing i noticed is the small amount of thread left when

large pully is fitted, is there enough thread for a full nut on the quill?

Geoff

[Bmr4life]

@Martuszewski lol, you have no clue what you're talking about.

[hoarp001]

@yefi2 Axminster had a few of these all set up, I go in fairly often as its near my fastenings place and its close to Subway(!). The staff in there have NO idea, all the machines are badly adjusted, wobbly gibs and loads of play in the wheels. I was testing the Z axis digital readout with some fag paper a while ago and the guy just did NOT understand what I was doing when he asked.They are good for wood carving, bad for machine tools, although easy to buy from there just dont ask questions.

[hoarp001]

@Martuszewski I doubt plugging your eyes will make the machine quieter....

[yefi2]

@hoarp001 Sorry, I confused what you meant. You're right too, Axminster sell the SX2, which is essentially the X2 with a drive belt and a brushless dc motor.

[yefi2]

@hoarp001 I rang the High Wycombe store and they swore blind that they have *never* sold a Drive Belt Conversion for the X2...