Re: [SPAM] Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: In-between machines?

Ahhh... this sounds nice, but where does one get these machines? Wait until
one shows up on Ebay some day? Or are there regular sources of these?

The other question is -- as a non-machinist, how does someone (me) go about
figuring out what state/condition it is in and therefore what it's worth? I
don't think it would be possible for me to ask the seller to run a test,
especially for Ebay machines. For my situation (ie: being less
knowledgeable), I will accept a small price hit buying from a dealer. Sort
of like paying a bit extra to get a car from Carmax rather than an
independent seller.

Cheers,
-Neil.

On Tuesday 25 July 2006 21:25, Ken Campbell wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "ballendo" <ballendo@...>
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: In-between machines?
> *********
> Dangit, I hate to let this secret out of the bag... but a terrific cnc
> lathe for the bucks is a South Bend Magnaturn, I have one about 1986, and
> there have been a few new models since then. This is a full cnc, no
> manual features, has a ibm pc glued on the front of it, with dual 3.5
> floppy drives, and for some reason is stupidly put down by most shops.
> Their loss, your gain.
>
> It has about 10 inches of swing:: ( there is a 6 inch tabletop model.. no
> experience with it )
> BUT: is very easy to program, although the word is out that it is not!!
> ( only does arcs, threads, and staight cuts ... 99.9% of what you
> need!! )
> WOW! takes standard g codes ( g0 g1 g2 g3 g4 g32 threading ... M codes
> collet open, closed, oil on, tailstock forward ( against hyraulic pressure,
> manual adjust for tailstock thrust ) and repeat cycle ( or not ). oh yeah,
> catcher arm forward and back, we usually don[t use that.
> TAKES 16C ( 1.625 ) !!!!!! or 5c with adapter.
> ours came with 10 inch hydraulic pressure 3 jaw chuck... very accurate ...
> spindle tube is 1.625
> glass encoder
> 10 tool turret, uses 3/4 inch square holders ( #3 or #4 circle usually )
> for drills we have it setup with mostly Erickson collet holders..
> **********
> Eveyone in the shop loves this thing ... oh, did I mention it has a genuine
> dovetail bed? a real lathe !!! It's probably the most stable (
> temperature wise ) lathe in our shop ( mostly Hardinge ).
> *********
> Here is the bad news: we got it used, because the PO had dropped it and
> broke the glass encoder ... stupid shop, but we fixed it for about $1500
> back then, yearly maintenance now is about $200-400... but we run it 8
> hours a day .... oh, and it's hydraulic, so its loud; leaks a little (
> floor dry ) and squeals a lot ...(g).
>
> Oh, and its 1986 ibm likes to thread ( G32 ) at about 200 or 300 rpm,
> otherwise single point doesn't follow perfecty. Maybe the newer ones do
> better, I dont care, we have made a zillion production parts in 18 years.
>
> If you can find one, seriously check it out, and usually the owners will
> tell you nobody can program it .... incredible !!! I have found a few,
> but always ( usually ) being ethical, I tell the owners they are stupid to
> get rid of it, and they usually put it back in service. You can learn to
> safely program this thing in 20 minutes. Oh, the chuck that comes with
> this is worth about $5K, so if they throw that in, you get a free machine
> !!!!
>
> Ok, I have done my duty for the month, I am not gonna tell you again...
> used these go for $5 to $10K, ( about 50K$ of 1986 $ new ) .... I
> recently bot an old nostalgic 13 x 39 Southbend manual for about $4.5 K
> delivered.... for comparison ...
> *********
> Oh, you might find that some small job shop in Iowa (g) could make your
> part for you for less than the hassle of doing itself is worth.... but I
> agree the satisfaction could be the thing! I think that is why I keep
> going despite the Mexican and Chinese make-it-for-free competition !!
> Would be glad to give you a quote on that part.
> ***********
> regards, ken campbell, deltainc-usa.com