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Uniquely positioned in the market, the 102 was the mid-range model of the Sixis range. Not too large to be cumbersome or unwieldy in operation, yet capable of handling much heavier jobs than the jewel-like 101, it still contrived to be silk-like in operation and capable of very high quality work on smaller components. It was, in essence, a small version of the Deckel FP1 (and, of course, resembled other similar machines from a wide range of makers*) but mounted on a robust cabinet stand rather than having a full-length, floor-standing cast-iron column. Like other Sixis millers the main table was vertical disposed, with several dividing and indexing accessories available (as extras) to mount on it; however, the two main additions were a standard-fit plain (non-tilting) table, 540 x 185 mm, with four 10 mm T slots and a much more useful tilting and pivoting table of the same size that could be inclined to 45 degree either side of horizontal, twisted 30 each way sideways and inclined 30 degrees to the front and 30 degrees to the back. Power feed was fitted to the longitudinal feed only, with a travel of 300 mm (but 320 mm when operated by hand) a vertical movement of 120 mm and a traverse (by the head) of 120 mm. It is possible that the option of a taller main column was available, giving a vertical table movement of 370 mm but, strangely, this was not specifically mentioned in the catalogs only hinted at in the maker's specification tables. The table's horizontal feed rates, driven by a 0.3 hp motor, were: 12, 19, 30, 43, 63, 96, 150 and 216 mm per minute. Both the standard vertical head and the horizontal spindle were driven by the same rear-mounted 0.5 hp, 50 Hz motor and had identical speeds of: 90, 180, 360, 720, 1440 and 2880 rpm; with a 60 Hz motor fitted for the American market these speeds would have been a little higher. The 360-degree swivelling vertical head, fitted with a 30-International nose on the end of its 55-mm diameter, 60 mm-travel quill had only a quick-action lever feed, although the micrometer scale was engraved with vernier marks and the quill could be preset to come to a stop at any point in its travel.
When used in the horizontal mode the machine was, amazingly for its size, equipped with twin, solid-bar overarms and a very substantial drop bracket to support the end of the cutter-holding arbor.
From front to back the miller was a maximum of 886 mm deep, 1842 mm high to the top of the high-speed head and approximately 1074 mm wide; it weighed approximately 270 Kg (594 lbs).
If you have a Sixis 102 the writer would be interested to hear from you.
*Proof of the type's success - the genus Precision Universal Milling Machine - is evident from the number of similar machines made in various countries including:
Austria: Emco Model F3
Belgium: S.A.B.C.A. Model JRC-2
Czechoslovakia: TOS Model FN22, 32 & 40 Optic
Spain: Metba Models MB-0, MB-1, MB-2, MB-3 and MB-4)
England: Alexander "Master Toolmaker" and the Ajax "00", an import of uncertain origin.
France (?): Perron Montier
Germany: by several companies including: Macmon Models M-100 & M-200 (though these were actually manufactured by Prvomajska); Maho (many models over several decades); Thiel Models 58, 158 and 159; Hermle Models UWF-700 and UWF-700-PH; Rumag Models RW-416 and RW-416-VG; SHW (Schwabische Huttenwerke) Models UF1, UF2 and UF3; Hahn & Kolb with their pre-WW2 Variomat model and Wemas with their Type WMS.
Italy: C.B.Ferrari Models M1R & M2R; Bandini Model FA-1/CB and badged as Fragola (agents, with a version of the Spanish Meteba).
Japan: Riken Models RTM2 and RTM3
Poland: Fabryka Obrabiarek Precyzyinych as the "Avia"£ and "Polamco" Models FNC25, FND-25 and FND-32
Russia: as the "Stankoimport" 676
Switzerland: Aciera Models F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5; Schaublin Model 13; Mikron Models WF2/3S, WF3S, WF-3-DCM & WF-2/3-DCM; Christen Types U-O and U-1 and Hispano-Suiza S.A. Model HSS-143 and the Sixis 101, 102 and 103.
The former Yugoslavia: Prvomajska (in Zagreb with Models ALG-100 and ALG200); Sinn Models MS2D & MS4D; Ruhla and "Comet" Model X8130, imported to the UK in the 1970s by TI Comet.
At least five Chinese versions have also been made, including one from the Beijing Instrument Machine Tool Works. A number of the "clones" merely followed the general Thiel/Maho/Deckel concept whilst others, like Bandini and Christen, borrowed heavily from Deckel and even had parts that were interchangeable. Should you come across any of these makes and models all will provide "The Deckel Experience" - though you must bear in mind that spares are unlikely to be available and, being complex, finely-made mechanisms, they can be difficult and expensive to repair..
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