From: Snag_one@msn.com   
      
   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 .   
   --   
   Snag   
     Illegitimi non carborundum   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)