From: none@none.com99   
      
   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-i   
   s-home-short.html?mref=1sqt4y&mc=42lue   
      
      
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
      
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