Re: sherline table top machines

At 04:28 06/11/2002 +0000, you wrote:

>All my use is basically hobby oriented although I an now making some short
>run items for my own sideline business. I started with a Sherline lathe and
>mill years ago and used them as manual machines. Very handy and within their
>work envelope a very solid machine. I then converted the mill to CNC and the
>bug bit me. I sold the Sherlines to get a Shoptask for the larger capacity
>and it also became CNC. Decided I wanted a real mill and got Bridgett my
>Bport series II that was NC from the factory and came to me with a dead
>drives. I refurbished with EMC and Gecko G320s. Well, even with this heavy
>iron that I just love I really missed the little Sherlines. Saw an auction
>on e-bay for a Sherline mill and lathe where the seller was local and now I
>again have some Sherlines in my shop. Both have been converted to CNC. I
>should point out that I have recently become a Sherline dealer so I am now a
>little biased. I made the decision to become a dealer after I got the new
>setup.
>
>I have no experience with Taig mills but did have one of their lathes.
>Compared to the Sherline the Taig lathe is a toy. I have been told that the
>mill is much better. I do know that some people replace the Taig mill
>spindle motor with a Sherline spindle motor for the variable speed .

Depends on your point of view, Tim. Certainly, the Sherline lathe system is
richer in terms of its range of accessories, but I would not describe
either as a toy - they are both capable of serious work within their
respective working envelopes - and actually, the Taig is a stiffer machine
with a larger working envelope. Of course, a Sherline dealer would
naturally describe the Taig as a toy though ;-)

In the case of their mills, you will find that the Taig mills are
significantly more robust, allowing them to take heavier cuts than the
equivalent Sherline mills. You are right about the spindle motors - the
standard Taig spindle motors are best ignored, and replaced with a better
unit, and the Sherline motor/controller is high on the substitution list.

>Main thing on the Sherline equipment is to remember the capacity of the
>equipment and stick within those limits. If you do you will find that they
>are real tools and do some great work.

This is no different with any tool. You will just find that those limits
are generally tighter with the Sherline than with some of the alternatives.

Regards,
Tony
(Neither a Sherline nor a Taig dealer).

>Tim
>[Denver, CO]
>Sherline products at Deep Discount
>www.KTMarketing.com
>
>----- Original Message -----
>
> > I am intrested in coments reguarding the sherline line of equipment.
> > I owned a jobshop machine shop 20 years ago. I had some pretty nice
> > equipment at that time and learned to appreciate GOOD tools. I am now
> > considering doing some work on small scale projects, and am in need of
> > setting up a new shop. I have looked at the sherline line and to me
> > it looks toy like. However looks can be very deciving.
> >
> > I would appreciate any coments reguarding that line, also i would like
> > to know what other equipment is out there these days. I also was
> > looking at a line called TAIG mills any thoughts on this equipment line ?
> >
> > i am absolutly intrested in setting things up with CNC operatons. The
> > CNC was just a dream in the days of my shop way beyond anything that
> > could have been afforded by a small shop. so this is going to be a new
> > learning period for me, but i am determined to go this way

Regards,
Tony