On 8/1/2024 12:43 PM, Snag wrote:
On 8/1/2024 1:47 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:
In the vein of Snag's tools for the new century post... Well the
second quarter of the new century.
Just think. There are people old enough to be or starting as
professionals saying,"Wow! you were born before the turn of the century?"
I've shied away from the used market when it comes to machine tools.
That doesn't mean I haven't bought used stuff. Just that if I need it
to just work a new import mill is less of a gamble than a used
"American iron" mill. The import may have problems, but its unlikely
to be worn out or broken.
Yes, I bought the Hurco KIMB1 used, but it was so cheap I could have
scrapped it for more than I paid. Probably even recouped my fuel for
the trip to go get it. Yes, I have purchased two used benchtop mills,
a used small lathe, and a used turret lathe. If the price is less
than a nice meal out its worth a look.
When I "needed" a lathe I bought a NEW Precision Mathews 14x40. When
I decided I "needed" a manual knee mill I bought a NEW South Bend
(Grizzly).
I always bristled when somebody who was not doing any real work or
trying to run a going concern business would lecture me to get a used
Bridgeport because there are so many "cheap" ones out there. By
bristle I mean the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I know
what you can get buying a used machine, and while I have a bit of
experience I am no expert in that. I can't afford to throw money away
to often.
Recently I look at at a used Bridgeport. I don't need another machine
"right now" but it seemed like it was worth a look. They were in the
process of retrofitting a Series R2E3 from the old CNC controls to a
more modern PC based control. Then they bought a Cincinnati VMC that
appears complete and functional. They need the Bridgeport out of the
way.
First thing I noticed is it has a Kwik 200 spindle. The same tool
holders the Hurco KMB1 uses. I have a bunch of those. Enough to
split them between the two machines and run 95-99% of jobs, and I can
always move less often used tools back and forth between the two
machines. They had installed Gecko Drive servo controllers. I hate
those. I probably blew up a half dozen of them before I switched to
DuGong 160-35s. They advertised one price with the new controls, and
a higher price with the old controls. I made them an offer with no
controls. They countered (closer to my number than theirs), and I
accepted. Since I'm thinking about switching the Hurco over to some
really heavy weight closed loop steppers I may have "almost"
everything I need to outfit the Bridgeport. Its in between the size
of the Tormach (1100S3) and the Hurco, but when I am done anything I
have already coded for the Tormach will run on it. The Tormach(S3) is
X-18 by Y-9.5 and the Bridgeport is X-18 Y-12. I think that is the
envelope for a Tormach 1100M. Nope the 110M is 18x11. Anyway,
Anything I have programmed for the S3 will fit on the Bridgeport, and
I am thinking I'll run the Bridgeport on LinuxCNC (core of Tormach's
PathPilot), so the code will be 100% cross compatible.
Okay, fine. I broke down and bought a used Bridgeport. Now shut up
already. LOL.
FYI: The Hurco is stock 24 x 14 (X,Y) and I have expended it to 26x
14y, but it currently has a 3600 RPM spindle. Its one of the slowest
spindles int he shop. I plan to change that, but for now the Tormach
runs jobs the Hurco doesn't due to the spindle speed difference.
Sounds like you're doing a pretty good job of selecting equipment ... having 2 machines that can share programming and tooling is a smart move .
Its going to get used for roughing blanks, but its going to take a lot
of work to retrofit it to a modern control before I can use it.
Probably the first chore will be getting it off the trailer, and onto a
pallet to move it around the shop. Okay, the second chore. I obviously
got it home safely.
15 second VIDEO:
https://rumble.com/v5akx2y-another-machine-for-roughing-blanks-its-home-short.html?mref=1sqt4y&mc=42lue
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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