So far not much to report. I originally wanted one and had money lined up for it a year ago, but I couldn't get one. Then Charter Oak became one of the dealers for Syil a while back. I worked out a deal with Paul and Tony for a machine and it arrived earlier this week. So far I have only uncrated it and moved it to the back of the shop approximately where its permanent home will be. I didn't get the super duper package with the fancy enclosure, but I didn't get the base model either. So far I am modestly impressed. My initial impressions were off the charts, but I figured I better calm down before starting a thread on the machine.
I only have a couple criticisms so far. Of course until I power it up (later today or possibly tomorrow) I won't have anything substantial to say.
There is an air fitting on the back of the spindle for blowing chips clear. I am not sure of the details of how it works but I expect most users really will not need it. Maybe it would be useful for plastics if cut unlubricated. I think it should come plugged or with an airline that goes to the back of the machine so it can't get filled with chips in case at a later time they decide they do need it. I have plenty of air line laying around, so I will plumb it to the back of the machine. I may even have a spare solenoid valve around somewhere I can install so using it or not using it will simply be a matter of flicking a switch.
Filling the coolant tanks is a bit awkward. There are two tanks inside the stand. One is coolant for the high speed spindle, and the other is for cutting coolant . lubricant. They are accessed through a screwed on panel on the back of the stand. This means you need to place the machine far enough away from a wall or out of a corner that you can access that periodically. There is a nice drain in the pan with a screen cover, but I've been machining long enough to know that fines will settle in the sump over time and need to be cleaned out once in a while. Of course you will also need to add coolant from time to time. You can pour it in the chip pan, but you need to be able to see the level in the tank. I may add an external sight tube at some point.
The Mach3 XML file I received says 25 i/s/s. If it will really do that day in day out this may become my most productive machine even considering its miniscule working envelope. I am not counting on it though. Still the high speed spindle will allow for faster feed rates when doing fine detail work. Atleast in theory.
Well out to the shop now so I can get some work done instead of just talking about it.