skipdiver":1b5x1259 said:
I don't mind working in either metric or imperial, but am at a bit of a loss as to why these machines come in both variants. Is it the parts you fit to them, ie chucks that differ? Is it the register marks and displays that are in inches, instead of cm's?
Ideally, i wouldn't want to mix wood and metal on the same machine but space is the issue i have. I think if i rig up a good extraction system, i can minimise cross contamination.
As MucicMan has said, it's the lead-screws which determine which measuring system is used and that means that the dials have to match. The tool-holding and work-holding parts can be whatever you want/have. Chucks are held in Morse tapers with draw-bars and both Imperial (3/8" BSW) and Metric (M10) draw-bars are supplied with both variants.
I have the WM 16 and use it for all sorts of materials - Steel, Brass, Alum, Delrin, Tufnol, Perspex, all manner of exotic and home grown hardwoods plus plywood and chipboard. There is nothing extra to take account of when switching between wood and steel than there is between Brass and Alum - yes you need to be aware of potential cross contamination of swarf and sawdust if you are disposing of it considerately but that's just a part of normal workshop etiquette.
The 12 has a top speed of 2000 and the others 2250. Not the speed of a router, planner/thicknesser, spindle molder, Dremmel or Kress, but if you work that much on wood the chances are that you already have that sort of equipment anyway. I used to have a Proxxon MF 70 - two in fact - both of which had a motor burn out and Proxxon didn't bother to answer my requests for replacement (motor that is). That ran at 5-20000 and when I bought the WM 16 it was one of my 'issues' but in reality I haven't been compromised - I've made more use of my router table, but even that only runs at 3000.
I'm not convinced that the 500W of the WM 12 would handle a 50mm Forstner bit in (say) Oak but it probably would in chipboard. I only have up to 40mm so can't do a test in my 750W WM 16. I know that my 370W Pillar Drill doesn't perform well with my 40mm in softwood or chipboard!
If your budget can stretch the extra £150 to the WM 14 you gain a number of benefits, 12½% more speed, 20% more power, 32% more travel, 25% longer table, 20mm more 'throat' - and the metric version is in stock.
It would be worth giving Warco a call to determine how long the metric WM 12 is likely to be out of stock, it may well be that they have a shipment due or recently arrived and in their pre-sale inspection dept. (that happened when I bought mine, I had to wait about 10 days).
I must disagree with Rorschach (cross-post). Metric Dials on Imperial Lead-screws would be the worst of all worlds. Assume 10 tpi, one turn would be 2.54mm so the dial would have to have a mark every 14.173228° (for .01mm) with a space of 5.66929° !!! - - I know we now have CNC options and it could easily be done but why? If you have Glass Scale DRO that's a different kettle of fish and both systems can co-exist.
