Model Forum / General / Models / April 2004

No, but general good experience with Axminster kit.

Usual problems with these machines are a) the vertical feed is not easily
controlled because of backlash (you can fit a cheap DRO) and b) because of
the round column, if you raise or lower the head during a job, you lose
axial alignment.

On the other hand the cheapest mills that don't have these problems are very
much costlier and very much bigger as far as I know

I have a Chester Champion (now upgraded to a Warco dovetailed column
machine) which I am quite happy with - I still use it, but mainly as a
better alternative to drill press). A very good and surprisingly robust
machine for the money. The high bottom speed is a minor issue but if used
within it's capabilities, this didn't present a problem. I have not tried
Administer but (contrary to others experience) I had no difficulties with
Chester (I bought a lathe from them as well).

Like others, I would always recommend a dovetailed column machine wherever
possible because of the head re-alignment problems experienced whenever the
need arises to lower or raise the head during an operation.

Mark

I have had a ZX25 for about 2 years if that is any help. In that time
I have only had 2 faults:

1) The screw that holds the leadscrew in the table fell out, and
jammed the table, took a bit of stripping down to sort.

2) Something went wrong with the gear that lowers the head. I don't
know what, as a strip and reassemble fixed it.

I don't recall ever using the lowest speed anyway. I like the look of
the 15 with the rotating head, but I get away with an angle vice
(about £25 from Axminster) and a little Ajax horizontal miller. The 25
looks as though it can work a lot harder for about the same price.

Axminsters delivery charges are a bit steep as well, I got mine on
some sort of offer with low delivery charge.