[Justin_CA]

I'm interested in getting into milling and think a micromill, which I would hope to convert to CNC in the future, would suit my needs and allow me a nice upgrade path in the future.

The main issue is that I can't find an X1 under any resell brand for sale in the US. HF, Grizzly, and Micro Mark all seem to no longer carry a micro-mill in the $299 range. Any ideas on where to get an X1? I'm in the Bay Area so local to avoid shipping charges would be sweet.

[ledbed6b]

I have only seen new ones on craigslist or ebay. I found a new in crate x1 for 200 with a vice, if I were you I would go bigger unless you find a really good deal.

[Justin_CA]

Well if I could find an X2 for less than 300, I'd be all over it. Where did you find the X1 for 200? CL? Any suggestions on finding my own?

[ledbed6b]

yeah it was CL, it just took patience for me, I've been looking for several months for something in my price range and CNC convertible. I just check craigslist 10 times a day, the best deals disappear the soonest and I don't want to miss any

[hoss2006]

Jet Tools carry a pricier version, most companies in their Buy Online links seem to show $500-600.
JET Tools -
Could search for one local to you too with their Where To Buy link.

Micro-mark has a hotrodded version with a belt drive for $500 also.
MICROLUX MICRO MILLING MACHINE
Too bad Harbor Freight stopped carrying them so cheap.
Hoss

[mwood3]

Jet Tools carry a pricier version, most companies in their Buy Online links seem to show $500-600.
JET Tools -
Could search for one local to you too with their Where To Buy link.

Micro-mark has a hotrodded version with a belt drive for $500 also.
MICROLUX MICRO MILLING MACHINE
Too bad Harbor Freight stopped carrying them so cheap.
Hoss

yikes better go for an x2 at that price

[Justin_CA]

Yeah, it seems that no benchtop machines are available for less than $500 (cheapest X2 I've seen). I guess I'll just keep my eyes out for a New In Crate X1 on the used market.

[Fast01]

There are a couple of wholesale "returns" facilities on e-Bay that they turn up in every now and then. Empire Liquidators and Tadd Wholesale are two that come to mind. I got mine from Tadd for $80. They charged $125 for shipping, but as you've seen the options are limited. The machine was a brand new open crate. It was missing the handwheels and tools. I got the replacement parts from LMS. All in all, I'm happy with it.

[sansbury]

I used to have an X1, later upgraded with the extended Y-axis base. All in all, not a bad little machine that I had a lot of fun with. However, having upgraded to an X2, I see very little reason for the X1. At $200 or so, definitely. At $300 or above, save your money, and get an X2. Unless you get the extended base, the X1 has not much over 2" of Y travel, and the motor is really weak. OK for milling, but I had a lot of trouble drilling anything in aluminum over 3/16" or so, let alone steel.

Vice-versa, if you need/prefer a physically small machine for other reasons, I'd save my money and get a Taig or Sherline. Both are fantastic, very high-quality machines that will require a lot less fiddling to get good results than the Sieg X-series mills.

Also, that Microlux doesn't look anything like an X1. The weight is also too low by 30-40lbs. It is a micro-mill though