which brand of machinery metric and imperial

[macssam]

I have an other question
which brand of machinery (precision lathe and universal mill) preferably with metric and imperial dials
would you consider good value for a high end hobbyist:

optimum-maschinen
knuth
sieg
catertools
jet
grizzly

please provide your input

so far I have only worked with european and US made machinery

 

[rodw]

A very open ended question. How big a swing? For a hobbiest, at the high end, something with a DI4 chuck and a DRO so metric and imperial are one button press away. Whatever in your market that meets that criteria will be fine.

 

[bazmak]

Say how much you want to spend and what interests you in the market
then maybe we can give you some input/advise

 

[kvom]

The only metric/imperial issues that are likely important, esp. with a DRO, is lathe gears for threading. Of course fasteners for repairs can be an issue, but probably a minor one.

 

[macssam]

as posted before
I have only worked with european and US made machinery
and don't know any of these chinese made machines

I would rate like this
1.- knuth
2.- optimum-maschinen
3.- catertools

any other suggestions
important is quality and all kinds of tools and accessories at a good price
for a medium sized universal mill and horizontal late with up to 5Kw of motor

 

[Theclockworks]

Set your budget them times it by 4 because you will spend the cost of the machinery + on tooling ,are you looking new or second hand,imp metric thing doesn't matter theses days with DRO. I will say there are some real bargains out there on the 2nd market also woth looking out for are the Inports from china there are rumours that there is some upgrades on the way so dealers will wanting to move old stock a low prices

 

[deverett]

Another point - where in the world are you located?
Yet another point - do you have much machining experience? That would dictate whether you look at new or used machines. If you are inexperienced, I would guide you to look at new.
5KW motor size for a mill means quite a hefty machine - industrial size, so if you are looking at new you will need very deep pockets. If you know what you are looking at, there are some very good bargains to be had with ex-college machinery.

If you are looking at Far Eastern machines, they mostly come out of the same factory. 'Badge Engineering' by the various retailers will make them look different, but these days Far Eastern quality seems to be just as good as European/US machines by all accounts.

The other answers you have received need to be answered before further assistance can be given.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

 

[macssam]

as posted before
I'm a pro but would like to use a lathe and a universal mill
to teach my kids, do repairs and for some hobby task
as we live far away from civilization
which brands can you recommend

 

[bazmak]

Again i would ask.What is available in your neck of the woods, at the price you are considering spending, and will it do the job you are thinking of.
If this gives you a short list then maybe we can advise

 

[Chiptosser]

Monarch EE lathe, metric, imperial and with taper attachment.

 

[goldstar31]

Why not a Murad Antarctica? I always wanted one. I saw one, I was helping to kit out a 600ton Norwegian confiscated German tugboat with a couple of Taylorcraft Antarctic Austers- in 1949 when I really was a Goldstar. One of the little Austers was crated whilst the other was on the aft deck. It got sort of wrecked a bit- in the Southern Oceans on its way to Queen Maudland in Antarctica and a couple of my old RAF associates- 'mended it' So that's my choice- even after all those years.

I'd settle for a 'Bormilathe' which no one seems to have heard of either. There's a write up on how to get near to the Bormi if you have a Myford Super7B. Very tasty bit of kit !

Chacun a son gout?

Norman

 

[macssam]

I would appreciate some suggestions
of a good chines machinery machinery manufacturer
who can supply lathes and mills with digital read out
including all tools and accessories
because I have to import what ever I need

 

[macssam]

I'm checking out your suggestion
many thanks

Monarch EE lathe, metric, imperial and with taper attachment.

 

[gus]

I bought Sakai Mini Lathe and Sakai Mini Mill. Both cost 3 times over the Sieg. After ten years they still hold the precision level. With this two machine tools and Japanese tools ,I built I.C. Gas Engines. Now about to work on Howel V-2 Four Stroke Gas Engine and hopefully on to the
Howell V-4. During my days with Ingersoll-Rand S.E.A. Singapore,I bought LeBlonde Tool Room Lathes,OkaMoto Mill and Okamoto Horizontal Grinder. I went cheap skate on the Vertical Slotting
Machine and 100 ton Power Press and they performed well for the jobs required.

 

[Blogwitch]

Mac,
You really are asking an almost impossible question, like how thick and long should a piece of rope be to lift the Titanic from the sea bed, at this time no-one knows.
All we can do here is guestimate what your requirements really are.
As for myself, I was setting up a high precision workshop, and with the space I had available and the cash involved I went for the Chester Crusader, a 14" swing with DRO's and D1-4 chucks, and a Chester (same as the Jet) 836 mill.
Both these machines, with a tiny bit of modification to suit my maching methods, have far exceeded my expectations from them in both quality, retaining tolerances and general use, I have yet to come across any job that they couldn't do except for size limitations, which, if you haven't got it, you can't do it.

I hope this helps

John

 

[macssam]

@Blogwitch
my question is far simpler
rather like which is the best all terrain tire for a "rolls royce" (lol)
I have no experience with chines made products
nowadays everything is from china except the milk
there are reviews and comparison charts for nearly everything
why is there no information here
anyways I thank everybody for any suggestion

ps; "chester machines" are also made in
"tongzhen china" like "knuth", "optimum-maschinen" and many more
where they cost a third of what you pay

 

[Blogwitch]

"there are reviews and comparison charts for nearly everything
why is there no information here"

I personally think there is no need for that sort of thing on any site such as this. It would totally flood out the site with thousands of reviews that would need to be updated every week.
People like to do their own searches for items that they buy, or if needs must, ask on here about what the people on here think about their choice of machine, there is usually someone who can give a personal account.

With reference to my machines and their costs.
I can tell you now, that armed with a pocket full of cash, a rather gullible salesman, I paid well under the odds for my machines, plus I got them to throw in things like power feeds all round on the mill, upgraded vice etc for nothing (I still have the receipts to show it all), plus they modified my lathe after I sent it back because it wasn't to my liking to how I wanted it, take off the stupid spring leadscrew cover, larger chuck guard plus a few other bits 'n bobs. It came back absolutely perfectly set up and to my liking.
So if anyone does want to get a discount on a machine, then do it personally in the showroom, if they want to make a sale, they should be open to offers.
Just to prove it, here is the list of 'freebies' I got with my 836 mill, plus I paid no VAT tax and they gave me a substantial discount on the pre tax cost.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/bogstandard_photos/Bogs%20pictures/img081.jpg


John