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Proxxon machine tools

This topic has 26 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 20 July 2011 at 09:17 by David Clark 13.

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18 July 2011 at 10:30 #21901
Michael Leek
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@michaelleek30717
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18 July 2011 at 10:30 #71998
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Does anyone have any experience of Proxxon tools? I’m considering getting a lathe, saw table, drill/mill, sander, thicknesser, etc, etc. Are they accurate, reliable and can they be used to fine tolerances?
18 July 2011 at 10:44 #71999
ady
Participant
@ady
They certainly look like nice wee bits of gear, you don’t see much second hand stuff reach the market though, they seem to be quite rare.

Cowells stuff seems to be a lot more common in the UK.
18 July 2011 at 10:47 #72000
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Problem with Cowell’s is that they seem ridiculously expensive!
18 July 2011 at 11:09 #72003
ady
Participant
@ady
A cowells is a “proper” lathe with a proper bed, large slotted cross slide, backgear etc

If you’re new to this game I wouldn’t go for a brand new unit either.

I’d get a decent second hand one and bash it about and make mistakes on it before splurging out on a brand new bit of kit.
18 July 2011 at 11:18 #72004
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Thanks ‘ady’ but your replies don’t actually answer the question I posed in opening this thread – which was about Proxxon tools, not Cowell’s!

I’m not ‘new to this game’ but had to get rid of much equipment a few years ago for a variety of reasons. Now I’m in a position to restart.
18 July 2011 at 11:18 #72005
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Thanks ‘ady’ but your replies don’t actually answer the question I posed in opening this thread – which was about Proxxon tools, not Cowell’s!

I’m not ‘new to this game’ but had to get rid of much equipment a few years ago for a variety of reasons. Now I’m in a position to restart.
18 July 2011 at 11:32 #72006
Steambuff
Participant
@steambuff
I have used Proxxon tools and on the whole find them excellent, the build quality is what you would expect from a German Company.

The accurracy is good, better than a ‘Far Eastern” unit straight out of the box.

They tend to be on the smaller size, so it depends on what you are going to use them for and which models you are looking at.

Dave
18 July 2011 at 11:59 #72007
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Thanks Dave.

My intended use is for small scale (1:96 and 1:192) model ships and small engineering projects such as the Stuart compound steam engine.

The tools I’ve been considering include the following;

Lathe PD 230/E

Micro miller MF 70 or the more expensive Micro miller FF500

Bench drill machine TBM 220

Table saw FET

Disc sander TG 125/E

There are other tools I’m interested in but these are for starters!
18 July 2011 at 12:10 #72008
Spurry
Participant
@spurry
I have a couple of the older model of FET table saw. On the new model, one feature that seems to have improved is the micro-adjustment feature, as mine have none. I would recommend carbide blades as the resulting finish requires very little sanding.

Pete
18 July 2011 at 12:13 #72009
Roderick Jenkins
Participant
@roderickjenkins93242
Michael,

I’ve seen good reviews of the table saw by fellow musical instrument makers. Would, I think, be ideal for model ship making. Professionly I’ve used the Proxxon TC circular saw blades and the small bench drill – good high quality kit.

Rod
18 July 2011 at 16:38 #72026
Billy Mills
Participant
@billymills
The table saw is very useful and quite unique. Would think carefully about the lathe and mill.

The lathes are very expensive against other kit of comparable quality.

The MF70 mill has an Ali and plastic table and is VERY small but is one of the few small mills that will run up to 20,000 rpm for 1-3mm tooling. Well suited for very small work on soft materials in limited quantities.

Worth considering Sieg small mills and drills against the Proxxon’s.

Would not rave about build quality at all, we are talking plastic and Ali extrusions for most models. These are miniature hobby tools well suited for miniature work in soft metals, plastic and wood with mostly very small brushed motors.

A few other posts have appeared, search PROXXON as the keyword.

Happy milling

Billy.
18 July 2011 at 16:54 #72028
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Thanks Rod, Pete and Billy.

Billy: what do you meanby ‘small quantities’? Are you saying that Proxxon machine tools are not designed for contrinuous use? And which lathes do you think I should look at?

I’ll do more research anyway and I’ll certainly check out the Sieg mill/drill, though it does seem as the Proxxon table saw is a good bet.
18 July 2011 at 17:02 #72029
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
By the way, is the Axminster SIEG C1 Micro Lathe Mk2 any good? Size-wise it fits my purpose.

However, I note from Dave above that he suggests machine tools made in Asia are not necessarily as good.
18 July 2011 at 19:31 #72041
Billy Mills
Participant
@billymills
Well if you are a hobby user you are not going to be running the same job all of the time so such factors as the hardness of the ways is not so important. Equally if the machine packs up it is an inconvenience rather than a disaster. I would not want to run any of my Proxxon tools continuously -they are NOT industrial tools but they are well designed for hobby use, many of their machines use plastic and ali ways.

I do use Proxxon tools, my use is in small scale prototyping in soft materials. It is all down to what your applications and expectations are and finding your own best value. My opinion is that Proxxon tools are very well styled and attractive but they are mainly hobby level tools.

If you can get to a stockist – such as Axminster – get to have a good look, feel the weight and get a test drive if you can.

Lathes and all other machine tools are a bit like religion- everyone has their own set of ideals and values. I would suggest that if you are going to use your new machines much then visit some local ME clubs and find out what other people use and have a try if possible. My own workshop is based around ex-industrial and industrial machines with Proxxon tools here and there for low volume small stuff.

Happy Milling

Billy
18 July 2011 at 19:49 #72043
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Thanks for the detailed reply Billy. I’ve only been up here in Scotland for three years and have yet to seek out an ME club – but it’s a good suggestion of yours, as is trying a local Axminster stockiet (probably few and far between up here!).
18 July 2011 at 20:54 #72051
Dusty
Participant
@dusty
Michael

If it is the Stuart Launch engine you are thinking of then I think the little Proxxon lathe would be on the small side. I would venture to suggest that you should be looking at a 3 or 3 1/2″ lathe minimum, which would be in the same sort of price range as the Proxxon.

I have used the Proxxon drill/grinder for several years and to my mind it is superior to the other well advertised competitor.
18 July 2011 at 22:04 #72054
Donald Mitchell
Participant
@donaldmitchell68891
Michael

Where are you in Scotland?

Donald Mitchell

Castle Douglas

Bonnie Scotland

DG7
19 July 2011 at 09:39 #72073
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Billy: nearest Axminister is in Cheshire so not much good there unfortunately!
19 July 2011 at 09:43 #72074
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Dusty: no, it wasn’t the Stuart launch engine I was thinking off – nothing as big, though it would be a great project, especially as marine steam engines are a particular interest, but I have to be realistic in terms of workshop space – only 10′ x 8′ (arriving tomorrow too!). Thanks for the advice on the Proxxon drill/grinder.

What about the Axminster SIEG C1 Micro Lathe Mk2? Worth considering?
19 July 2011 at 09:45 #72075
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Hi Donald

I’m in Portknockie, Bannffshire (postcode AB56). Almost equi-distant by road between Aberdeen and Inverness.
19 July 2011 at 10:21 #72076
AndyP
Participant
@andyp13730
Michael,

My first lathe, 5 years ago, was a Sieg C1 but the Chester variety. I have built most of a 3 1/2″ gauge Rob Roy on it so far and a lot of little bits for other jobs.

It is not the most rigid or accurate lathe and the topslide is a pita.

I now have a Cowells and a Boxford AUD as well and still use the C1 for anything that will fit on it and doesn’t need high accuracy, it is so quick to set up and quiet in operation. It helps that I have just about every extra available – I could never afford them for the Cowells.

Cheers, Andy
19 July 2011 at 10:29 #72078
Michael Leek
Participant
@michaelleek30717
Interesting Andy. Can you be more specific about the accuracy of the Sieg? One thing I will need to turn are canons at 1:96 and 1:192 scale (i.e. small scale). For each scale they would need to be as identical as possible.

As for Cowells – they are well outside my budget too!
19 July 2011 at 10:55 #72079
blowlamp
Participant
@blowlamp
Could you run to a C3 mini-lathe from somewhere like Arceurotrade or Chester etc?

The advantage is their popularity and range of accessories. Commonly available tooling is a plus point too.

Martin.
19 July 2011 at 23:37 #72131
AndyP
Participant
@andyp13730
Michael, I’ll try but I don’t have an engineering background, well not this sort of engineering anyway.

The saddle is very short so even with the gibs adjusted as tight as possible while allowing movement there is still detectable play – think rotary looking vertically down on the saddle.

There is simple backlash adjustment for the leadscrew but it soon reappears, likewise for the saddle traverse, mind you backlash can be allowed for by working methods – I have learnt something at least.

It doesn’t compare in any way with the Cowells for “feel” – I can’t put it any better than that.

For the size of component you are working on the Proxxon may be a better bet – but I have never seen one.

Variable speed is great though

It strikes me you are down to watchmakers sizes so maybe consider that category of machine – price a big issue again I suspect.

Hope my ramblings help a little.

Andy
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