Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Asian Import mills, EMCO, PRAZI, Myford, MOTORS

In a message dated 5/12/01 9:19:54 AM Hawaiian Standard Time,
prototype@... writes:

<< I'm talking worst case when I enumerate the problems with Asian machines.
Some Asian stuff is totally without these problems. Stick with models that
have a good reputation and you should be happy with Asian mills and lathes.

>>

Group,

Lots of people forget that Japan is in Asia too. Machines such as Mazak,
Okuma, Shizuoka, Mori Seiki, Citizen, Star etc, all come from Japan or
originate from Japanese design. I believe if one could buy one of these asian
imports for a hobby machine, he'd be darn happy. Jet used to bring in
machines from Japan many many years ago. Drill presses, a few mills and
lathes, a power hack saw etc. Then roughly 20 years ago, Taiwan started
exporting lots of low cost low quality machines. Jet, among many others, was
forced to switch over to Taiwan machines as the cost difference was too
great. As you folks know, much of the stuff back then was totally junk.
Everything fell apart because the screws were made of extremely soft
material. Fit and finish was poor, Bondo was used for structural repairs etc.
In the last few years though, I think the higher end iron from Taiwan is
becoming close to if not meeting world class standards.

The lower end hobby stuff is where the last of the machines with spotty
quality can be found. I think Doug hit it on the head, try to stick with
brand name stuff. I bought a Rong Fu-45 and have been very happy with what I
have seen so far. The casting are of very high quality. They have machined
with no blow holes ar hard spots like the older machines. The control
switches etc are a couple of notches down from Cutler Hammer or Square D but
they are CSA and UL listed. I am replacing the screws with ball screws so I
can't comment on lead screw accuracy. The motor is a 1 Hp 3 phase, I have
not cut anything with it yet so I can't judge power or how noisy it is.
Overall, fit and finish have really improved. Some of the fasteners still
must be upgraded. Yet, dollar for dollar, it would be tough to get a better
deal.

BTW Sakai of Japan had some very nice machines for sale here in the USA,
a lathe and a mill. Due to the death of the owner of Sakai, they decided to
quit exporting to America. Really too bad as the mill looked like a neat
starting point for a CNC converison. This is about the only hobby class
machine I know of that are still made in Japan.


Peter
THRD, Inc.