Intensemonerider
Member
I need help making a decision between the two. Which is a better more accurate machine the Craftex CX611 or King PDM-30. I would like to know opinions and experiences good and bad…
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Craftex CX611 vs King PDM-30
- Thread starter Intensemonerider
- Start date
Intensemonerider
Member
Are the Craftex VFD’s and brushless motors any good or are they problematic???!
DPittman
Ultra Member
I believe the brushless motors are supposed to be better. I have a brushed dc motor on my lathe and newer versions have a brushless motor. I've replaced brushes on mine but it's a simple job.
Intensemonerider
Member
What would be preferable brushless or conventional for longevity?
they can both make good parts, i cant imagine a new one of either is more accurate than the other.
The pdm 30 is defiantly the bigger machine, bigger table, more travel, more horsepower, its going to remove metal faster, and you will be able to set up larger things...but the cx611 has the square column, which means no z axis issues, the head tilts, and no belt changes (although i understand you lose some torque at the very low rpms)
You should look at what kind of projects you have in mind, given the price difference isnt that much (at the moment, they used to be over 1000$ apart), the square column is a more convenient machine to use, but you are loosing out on capacity... bang for the buck, a used round column ...i wouldn't expect to pay more than like 1500$ on the absolute high end in Ontario for one of those used
As for brushless....an ac motor has no brushes, so essentially they are both brushless, the pdm 30 is also a dead simple machine, belt drive, the motor dies just grab another one from marketplace and put the pulley on it and away you go
The pdm 30 is defiantly the bigger machine, bigger table, more travel, more horsepower, its going to remove metal faster, and you will be able to set up larger things...but the cx611 has the square column, which means no z axis issues, the head tilts, and no belt changes (although i understand you lose some torque at the very low rpms)
You should look at what kind of projects you have in mind, given the price difference isnt that much (at the moment, they used to be over 1000$ apart), the square column is a more convenient machine to use, but you are loosing out on capacity... bang for the buck, a used round column ...i wouldn't expect to pay more than like 1500$ on the absolute high end in Ontario for one of those used
As for brushless....an ac motor has no brushes, so essentially they are both brushless, the pdm 30 is also a dead simple machine, belt drive, the motor dies just grab another one from marketplace and put the pulley on it and away you go
Intensemonerider
Member
What would be preferable brushless or conventional for longevity
So it sounds like the square column mills are preferable especially for resale. Which would you buy if you were buying new?
i dont know i would be hard pressed to pay 3500 for a cx611, but a pdm30 is pretty steep at 3000 new....it was only about 2300 a year and half ago
i think if a guy didn't really need the extra hp of the pdm30, like most of the stuff was non ferrous, and minimal steel, and small setups that fit on the table, i might lean toward the cx611
Try to think of what sorts of projects you have in mind, that should help guide you. I dont regret my round column, but there are times i wish it was a square column....but not at the cost of capacity
i think if a guy didn't really need the extra hp of the pdm30, like most of the stuff was non ferrous, and minimal steel, and small setups that fit on the table, i might lean toward the cx611
Try to think of what sorts of projects you have in mind, that should help guide you. I dont regret my round column, but there are times i wish it was a square column....but not at the cost of capacity
Former Member
Guest
Buying used or buying new is an age old question.
My first lathe was used and old. My current new last year CX707.
My mill new CT054 but it doesn't look the same anymore CNC, flood cooling, column extension chip can coolant shields. So as a used machine for someone could be an eyebrow raiser.
By the way both are from BB.
In the last 3 years most machines have doubled in price and from what I'm seeing is still going up.
So if you are serious at getting new machine do it sooner than later. Size, buy to what you plan on doing (I am on the small size but was budget constrained).
Second, whatever you pay for your machine, consider that you will spend this much in tooling within the 1st year, yes you can get away with less but budget it anyway.
Used there are great deals and equipment that coming up from time to time. Tool sometimes included sometimes not, so budget for tooling just in case.
One last word for tooling at the beginning buy from stores if possible so you can learn and feel quality vs c*@p. You pay for this lesson saving comes later.
My first lathe was used and old. My current new last year CX707.
My mill new CT054 but it doesn't look the same anymore CNC, flood cooling, column extension chip can coolant shields. So as a used machine for someone could be an eyebrow raiser.
By the way both are from BB.
In the last 3 years most machines have doubled in price and from what I'm seeing is still going up.
So if you are serious at getting new machine do it sooner than later. Size, buy to what you plan on doing (I am on the small size but was budget constrained).
Second, whatever you pay for your machine, consider that you will spend this much in tooling within the 1st year, yes you can get away with less but budget it anyway.
Used there are great deals and equipment that coming up from time to time. Tool sometimes included sometimes not, so budget for tooling just in case.
One last word for tooling at the beginning buy from stores if possible so you can learn and feel quality vs c*@p. You pay for this lesson saving comes later.
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Just a few thoughts.
I own a Grizzly 0463. (I believe this is equivalent to the Sieg X3). It won out over the Grizzly G0619 . The G0619 I believe is the same as the CX611.
At the time (I think it was around 2008) everyone I had talked to said you were paying extra money for the G0619 only to buy problems. The tilting head sounds good on paper but is not as rigid as the non tilting head. How often would you use the tilting head?
I've only had one issue with mine. Since new the rheostat to adjust the mill speed was coarse. Maybe dead spots is a better way to describe it. Rough adjustment for speed control. I lived with this for a long time. Finally got the time (and part) to change it out. I should have done that on day one. What a a difference.
I use a lot of smaller cutters, which would work a lot better at higher RPM. The Grizzly 0463 has a top speed just under 2000rpm. I see the PDM30 shows 12 speeds (belt drive change?) with a top speed of 2500rpm. I'd be happy with more speed.
I converted mine to CNC from day one. Can't believe it has been 15 years already.
Cheers, Perry
I own a Grizzly 0463. (I believe this is equivalent to the Sieg X3). It won out over the Grizzly G0619 . The G0619 I believe is the same as the CX611.
At the time (I think it was around 2008) everyone I had talked to said you were paying extra money for the G0619 only to buy problems. The tilting head sounds good on paper but is not as rigid as the non tilting head. How often would you use the tilting head?
I've only had one issue with mine. Since new the rheostat to adjust the mill speed was coarse. Maybe dead spots is a better way to describe it. Rough adjustment for speed control. I lived with this for a long time. Finally got the time (and part) to change it out. I should have done that on day one. What a a difference.
I use a lot of smaller cutters, which would work a lot better at higher RPM. The Grizzly 0463 has a top speed just under 2000rpm. I see the PDM30 shows 12 speeds (belt drive change?) with a top speed of 2500rpm. I'd be happy with more speed.
I converted mine to CNC from day one. Can't believe it has been 15 years already.
Cheers, Perry
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historicalarms
Ultra Member
Actually that is one of the only two things i dislike about my 30. lots of time i wish it had a tilting head to mill or drill holes sideways in something that mounts the table easier laying down than standing up.
The other thing is belt speed changes!!