8 Best Milling Machine CNC Conversion Kits (2022 Review)
Updated on October 20, 2022 | By Samara Davis
Machine parts, like the latest advancements in technology, have improved and shrunk in size over the years, and you can make them much more effective with the best CNC conversion kits. Modern lathe machines and milling machines have come a long way since the massive, room-sized machines of the Industrial Revolution. While large machines can still be found in large factories and high-end production facilities, small machine tools are more common in-home workshops than ever.
Most hobbyists cannot afford to purchase a CNC mill because the machines are either extremely expensive or unnecessarily expensive. A CNC mill conversion kit is a practical solution for smaller stores or amateurs with extra time on their hands.
What is a CNC conversion kit, exactly?
A typical CNC conversion kit for a used mill contains several new components as well as installation instructions.
Instructions. Motors and other new hardware will enable the mill to move instantly along the X, Y, and Z axes.
How do CNC Conversion Kits function?
CNC conversion kits make the best use of an existing mill’s layout; they don’t typically add new axes of movement, but they motorize current ones and allow pre-programmed movement. As a result, it diminishes the amount of effort required to reconfigure the mill, allowing most conversions to be completed way too faster than what they would have initially taken.
The following are the top eight best milling machine CNC conversion kits:
Sieg X2 Benchtop Mill CNC Conversion Kits
By far, the most popular CNC benchtop mill conversion is the Sieg X2 CNC Conversion. The Sieg X2 mini-mill is available from several retailers, including Harbor Freight, Klutch, and others.
There are no additional holes or enlargements required for the Sieg x2 CNC conversion. On all bearings, grease fittings are available. The Z-axis is located in the center of the head. Putting the center of gravity where it belongs.
This mill conversion kit significantly reduces drag and eliminates stalling on the stepper motor’s Z axis.
The Siege conversion kit is our most popular turnkey machine.
The kit contains:
- (3) NEMA 23 stepper motor adaptors
- (3) ball screw and nut assemblies (16mm)
- All new bearings
- Grease fittings are available on all bearings.
- All required mounting hardware
Sieg X2D Benchtop Mill CNC Conversion Kits
It is a more robust machine than the Sieg X2, with a fixed column and longer travels. On the other hand, the CNC machine’s headstock employs the same motor and drive system. This machine is available from The Little Machine Shop in Pasadena, California:
The Sieg X2D Conversion Kit is the only true “bolt-on” kit on the market. On all bearings, grease fittings are available (where possible). This reduces drag and eliminates stalling on the Z-axis stepper motor.
It is one of our best-selling items due to its simple instructions.
The kit contains:
- (3) stepper motor adaptors NEMA 23
- (3) ball screw and nut assemblies (16mm)
- Completely new bearings
- Grease fittings are available on all bearings.
- All required mounting hardware
Grizzly G0704 Benchtop Mill Conversion Kits
A popular mid-size benchtop mill, the Grizzly G0704 CNC Conversion Kit. The G0704 includes a base as standard. It also has a digital display for the rpm and quill feed as a benchtop CNC mill. To accommodate 16mm ball screws and nuts, the table should be modified. On the X and Y, NEMA 23 stepper motors can be used, but due to the head’s weight, we recommend a NEMA 24 stepper motor on the Z axis.
Our Grizzly G0704 Benchtop Mill Conversion Kit can help you convert your old machine to a CNC machine.
It consists of the following-
- Stepper mounts NEMA 34
- 16mm ball screws and nuts
- X and Y axes have opposing ball nuts for increased precision.
- Ball nut fasteners
- Completely new angular contact bearings.
- All necessary mounting hardware
- All bearings have grease fittings.
WEN 33075 Benchtop Mill Conversion Kit
This machine is comparable in size to the PM-25 M and the Grizzly G0704. However, due to the geometry of the column casting, mounting the Z-axis stepper is difficult. We used NEMA 34 steppers on the X and Y axes. We moved the Z with rack and pinion gearing and a NEMA 23 motor stepper on the machine’s column feed shaft.
It consists of the following-
- three (3) NEMA 23 stepper motor mounts, three (3) ball screw and nut assemblies (16mm)
- New bearings
- Brand new shaft connectors
- All necessary mounting hardware
CNC SUPRA® Vertical Knee Mill Retrofit Kit
It Retrofits your Vertical Knee Mill Bridgeport Copy-Type 942′′ or 949′′ tables with 12′′ Knee for a low price with our complete, three axes CNC Kit.
Highlights
- Increase the productivity of your milling machine by utilizing automation technology!
- Easy-to-use turnkey operation
- No complicated setups are required.
- User-friendly for Both New and Experienced Machinists
Grizzly G0755 Benchtop Mill CNC Conversion Kits
Despite the fact that it comes with a base, this machine is gaining popularity as a large benchtop mill. It is long-lasting and reasonably priced for its size. NEMA 34 stepper motors are required on all axes. Thanks to the Grizzly Benchtop Mill Conversion Kit, your old machine will be up and running with improved accuracy, power, and performance.
The kit contains:
- Stepper mounts NEMA 34
- 16mm ball screws and nuts
- X and Y axes have opposing ball nuts for increased precision.
- Ball nut fasteners
- Completely new angular contact bearings
- All required mounting hardware
- Grease fittings are available on all bearings.
Precision Matthews PM-932M Benchtop Mill Conversion Kit
It’s a medium-sized benchtop mill. NEMA 34 stepper motors, 16mm ball screws, and nuts, are included in the Precision pm932m benchtop conversion kit.
It entails:
- NEMA 34 stepper mounts
- 16mm ball screws and nuts
- X and Y axes have opposing ball nuts for increased precision.
- Ball nut fasteners
- Completely new angular contact bearings
- All required mounting hardware
- Grease fittings are available on all bearings.
- On all axes, double opposing ball nuts are available as an option.
Precision Matthews PM-25M Conversion Kit
Because of its high endurance and heavy machining capacity, the Precision Matthews PM-25MV benchtop mill is quite talked about by mid-size milling machine operators.
Precision Matthews PM-25 CNC mill conversion kit is available to make this milling machine CNC capable. This kit is the most affordable option among mill CNC conversion kits in its class.
The Precision Matthews CNC mill conversion kit is constructed from a billet of T6061 aluminum. It is a true bolt-on package that does not require any machining. It is simple to assemble and uses linear contact roller bearings rather than thrust bearings for smoother movement.
It includes the following:
- Stepper mounts NEMA 34
- Ball screws and nuts in the size of 16mm
- Completely new angular contact bearings.
- All necessary mounting hardware
- All bearings have grease fittings.
Wrapping it Up
Manufacturing methods are changing worldwide, and digitization is driving this change. Automation has brought high accuracy and mass production, and businesses that achieve these two goals are expanding at a greater rate.
A CNC conversion kit, on the other hand, can provide you with automation on a modest budget by merely transforming your manual machine into a computerized and programmable manufacturing device.
If you need such turnkey machines for your machine shop, please contact us. We have CNC conversion kits from industry leaders, and we’re able to convert your manual machine in the most cost-effective manner.
