Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Hey watch people, i hope we are all well today. I've heard good things about Proxon in the past regarding their hand rotary tools such as the 12volt microdot and 240 volt versions. Does anyone have any experience with their bigger equipment ? I have an old Geneva pattern watchmaker's lathe and another old bigger lathe, not that I've done much with them as yet but i like to prepare for future levelling up in this hobby so when something comes my way at the right price i grab it. Becoming more independent another major piece of equipment to consider getting is a mini milling machine. Proxon have a few different priced models ranging from a meager £300 up to almost £1000. The specifications on the entry model MF70 look kind of ok for the price but some of the important info like runout is missing, it also available for cnc use. Reviews are mixed as reviews are very dependent on the knowledge that the reviewer has, but more positive than negative. Also is a bigger more functional model is the PF230 . Any thoughts would be appreciated 👍

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been eyeing their lathes and mills as well (fir future purchases).  I do have their Bench Drill Press TBM 115 with the Compound Table KT 70 and i can attest that it is very accurate and very well built.  I also would welcome any review of their bigger tools.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

The specifications on the entry model MF70 look kind of ok for the price but some of the important info like runout is missing, it also available for cnc use.

this does seem to be a very popular milling machine. Then if you toss in the word CNC conversion it seems to be extremely popular as it's a very easy mill to convert the CNC.

at one time a long time ago I saw someone making a watch with the milling machine and when I went back to find it again of course it's impossible because people failed to use the proper keywords for findability. But I know I've seen at least two people using it for watchmaking projects.

here is an interesting video showing what you can do with the milling machine and one of their lathes. so does an upgrade that in stepping motors and a custom controller that's not CNC at least not yet.

https://youtu.be/iVYIXzO6UtI?si=LkkqeS4KGcOthR5B

then a couple years later basically a new controller but you wouldn't have to build his you can buy something like that already made and now it's full CNC capable. Plus he adds in a really much nicer CNC programs of what most people use it cost a little money but it's not very expensive and it's a rather nice program which is called Estlcam.

https://youtu.be/ADKnGjk6h3E?si=B8LXs6fUQ4rQ3zos

so yes it does seem to be a popular milling machine. But finding affordable milling machines tends to be an issue for some unknown reason they seem to be rather expensive.

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, ClaudioCavalli said:

I have been eyeing their lathes and mills as well (fir future purchases).  I do have their Bench Drill Press TBM 115 with the Compound Table KT 70 and i can attest that it is very accurate and very well built.  I also would welcome any review of their bigger tools.

Thanks claudio, i quite like the look of that drill as well, that would be the 3 speed not variable ? Not a bad price if its ok

1 hour ago, JohnR725 said:

this does seem to be a very popular milling machine. Then if you toss in the word CNC conversion it seems to be extremely popular as it's a very easy mill to convert the CNC.

at one time a long time ago I saw someone making a watch with the milling machine and when I went back to find it again of course it's impossible because people failed to use the proper keywords for findability. But I know I've seen at least two people using it for watchmaking projects.

here is an interesting video showing what you can do with the milling machine and one of their lathes. so does an upgrade that in stepping motors and a custom controller that's not CNC at least not yet.

https://youtu.be/iVYIXzO6UtI?si=LkkqeS4KGcOthR5B

then a couple years later basically a new controller but you wouldn't have to build his you can buy something like that already made and now it's full CNC capable. Plus he adds in a really much nicer CNC programs of what most people use it cost a little money but it's not very expensive and it's a rather nice program which is called Estlcam.

https://youtu.be/ADKnGjk6h3E?si=B8LXs6fUQ4rQ3zos

so yes it does seem to be a popular milling machine. But finding affordable milling machines tends to be an issue for some unknown reason they seem to be rather expensive.

 

Thanks for the useful information and videos John. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why buy a drill press if contemplating the purchase of a mill , I have Warco’s smallest mill WM12 and I have added DRO to it and I am happy with it and it’s cast iron not cast aluminium, I even use it for bushing and depthing for that matter but I only do clocks but I can make tools as well, recently made a T rest base for my Pultra & made the upright on the Myford.

Dell

IMG_1062.jpeg.31100a76faeebaab91abc53c5b997627.jpeg

IMG_1961.jpeg.45a1834d46090ca0d402fcca144a9601.jpeg

Edited by Dell
Words missing
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Dell said:

Why buy a drill press if contemplating the purchase of a mill , I have Warco’s smallest mill WM12 and I have added DRO to it and I am happy with it and it’s cast iron not cast aluminium, I even use it for bushing and depthing for that matter but I only do clocks but I can make tools as well, recently made a T rest base for my Pultra & made the upright on the Myford.

Dell

IMG_1062.jpeg.31100a76faeebaab91abc53c5b997627.jpeg

IMG_1961.jpeg.45a1834d46090ca0d402fcca144a9601.jpeg

Like it Dell. Proxxon have the pf230, a bigger more functional mill that is steel and cast, bit less than a grand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

28 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Like it Dell. Proxxon have the pf230, a bigger more functional mill that is steel and cast, bit less than a grand.

There is a Warco mill for sale on model engineering but can’t remember what model it is but it was cheap and looked in good Nick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, Dell said:

There is a Warco mill for sale on model engineering but can’t remember what model it is but it was cheap and looked in good Nick.

Thanks Dell, its been sold , went for 350 bargain. New 950.  If i decide to go for a bigger machine i will look at this model. Much heavier at 50 kg than the  proxxon pf230 at only 17kg. Hows the Chinese quality of it ?

45 minutes ago, Dell said:

There is a Warco mill for sale on model engineering but can’t remember what model it is but it was cheap and looked in good Nick.

Wm14 plus accessories 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

Thanks Dell, its been sold , went for 350 bargain. New 950.  If i decide to go for a bigger machine i will look at this model. Much heavier at 50 kg than the  proxxon pf230 at only 17kg. Hows the Chinese quality of it ?

Wm14 plus accessories 

I have no complaints with my mill after tramming it and setting up the gibs, did knacker the sacrificial nylon gear once but that was my fault being to greedy with the cut but easily replaced , if I was to buy one now it would be the later belt driven one but we live and learn.

Dell

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Dell said:

I have no complaints with my mill after tramming it and setting up the gibs, did knacker the sacrificial nylon gear once but that was my fault being to greedy with the cut but easily replaced , if I was to buy one now it would be the later belt driven one but we live and learn.

Dell

Thanks Dell, its a later purchase for this year but a Warco is in the hat. I'm also waiting for those levin collets to be reduced for my lathe. Looking into an er collet conversion kit for it as well which might be an easier, cheaper option, the headstock spindle  thread is 28mm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Post some pictures , some good close ones of the parts you've described. 
    • Ive never used epilame H only information i have read and mentally stored about it mostly from Nicklesilver here and elsewhere ( the fork horns thing ), maybe the residue powder that is removed has some grinding effect ? So probably a good idea to limit its application areas to only the absolute necessary. Yes as far as i know epilame rubs off relatively easy, the technique of running the watch to make a groove through it first in the pallet stones where the lubrication is then placed. This i understand creates the barrier for the lube to sit up to. If i can find a good balance of pros and cons of its use then thats one process i can avoid by using a thixotropic lube on the stones. The epilame i would say allows for a more fluid lubrication to be used that would increase amplitude on low beat movements. The stearic acid powder is extremely cheap, the problem is the fuming process to coat parts, is not selective , the whole part has to treated in this method. If epilame residue can cause wear then thats not good, if I remember the conclusion was not proved entirely just a general assumption between watchmakers. The thread is out there somewhere, the same discussion is also old on a facebook group. Ive never used epilame H only information i have read and mentally stored about it mostly from Nicklesilver here and elsewhere ( the fork horns thing ), maybe the residue powder that is removed has some grinding effect ? So probably a good idea to limit its application areas to only the absolute necessary. Yes as far as i know epilame rubs off relatively easy, the technique of running the watch to make a groove through it first in the pallet stones where the lubrication is then placed. This i understand creates the barrier for the lube to sit up to. If i can find a good balance of pros and cons of its use then thats one process i can avoid by using a thixotropic lube on the stones. The epilame i would say allows for a more fluid lubrication to be used that would increase amplitude on low beat movements. The stearic acid powder is extremely cheap, the problem is the fuming process to coat parts, is not selective , the whole part has to treated in this method. If epilame residue can cause wear then thats not good, if I remember the conclusion was not proved entirely just a general assumption between watchmakers. The thread is out there somewhere, the same discussion is also old on a facebook group. If its a potential problem for amateurs to use then i would prefer not to take the risk .
    • Following on from my question about identifying screws in the AS2063 movement that basically fell out of the case in bits, I’m pleased to report that I’ve got it all back together, and the movement is running pretty well.    But… There’s something wrong with the keyless works and hand setting. It’s fine in winding and quickset date position - these work - but in hand setting position winding the crown turns the whole gear train.  I don’t really understand how it’s meant to work. It doesn’t have a traditional friction fit cannon pinion.  The second wheel is unusual with a pair of smaller pinions on it, which seem to interact with the barrel and the motion works.    Could this be the problem? I must admit I just cleaned it and popped it in place when reassembling the gear train. I’ve lubricated the pivots but didn’t do anything to the extra bits on the second wheel.    Does this make sense and is anyone able to figure out what I’m doing wrong? Thanks in advance, as always.    ETA - the parts list calls it the Great Wheel, not second wheel. 
    • You're thinking metal to jewel in general I guess. Maybe it would be a good idea to peg the pallet staff jewel hole on the main plate after the epilame treatment. I think that could work as it is my impression that the epilame doesn't sit very hard, but I could be wrong about that so feel free to educate me. I didn't remember that 9501 was thixotropic (thanks for the link). That would mean it's even runnier during impact (lower viscosity) so perhaps it's time I get some fresh grease as mine seems a bit too runny. What I have seen is a whitish surface after washing but it goes away if I scrub the surface with a brush in a degreaser (Horosolv). I don't think it embeds itself in the metal but sticks very hard to the metal. I don't worry too much about the cleaning solution. I just want perfectly clean parts and my solution can be replaced for little money (ELMA RED 1:9). Anyway, I quite often need "to strip back and rebuild" and scrubbing parts by hand isn't exactly the most stimulating part of a service. Just got confirmation that Moebius 9501 has a lower viscosity (68 cSt at 20° C) than 9504 (305 cSt at 20°). The viscosity of Molykote DX is 285-315 cSt at -25° to +125° C. I was surprised to see that the viscosity of Moebius 9010 (thin oil!) is higher (150 cSt at 20°) than my 9501 grease!
    • I’ve had a couple movements where it is clear the previous watchmaker was diligent with lubrication but the old epilam had turned to a fine white powder covering the pallet fork and keyless parts, which can’t be good for parts. I’m spare with epi since I don’t know how long it takes to degrade to that state…
×
×
  • Create New...