Member postings for jason spencer

looking to get into cnc milling, i'd like 300mm travel on the table, has anyone got any ideas of a decent used machine or new to go for? Tormach or another chinese 'converted' one? anyone have anything for sale?

I've 3 phase if needed, although ideally single phase. Its a total minefield when looking around.

Thanks all.

Yes I've seem something similar. It also came with a German certificate stating it had been setup and tested to a certain iso type standard.

as a thread bump.... one has made a home in my new garage. lathe and mill are moveable till I decide where I want them, quite like this layout though....

[URL=http://s101.photobucket.com/user/jason61c/media/FullSizeRender-1_zpsadh22iuj.jpg.html][IMG]http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m61/jason61c/FullSizeRender-1_zpsadh22iuj.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s101.photobucket.com/user/jason61c/media/FullSizeRender-1_zpsadh22iuj.jpg.html][IMG]http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m61/jason61c/FullSizeRender-1_zpsadh22iuj.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s101.photobucket.com/user/jason61c/media/FullSizeRender-4_zpsdimhjqls.jpg.html][IMG]http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m61/jason61c/FullSizeRender-4_zpsdimhjqls.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

It came with a load of bits I wasn't expecting. Its a perfect size, around 20% smaller than a bridge port, zero play, 3 axis dro, no powered quill though.

In all it knocks the socks off buying a 30+ year old machine.

Edited By jason spencer on 27/08/2015 22:04:58

Are there any on here?

What about a 'modern' boxford lathe. I bought a lovely sts250 with taper attachment for about £1.2k a few years ago. The best of both worlds, modern equipment, built to toolroom iso standards, sensible price. Something like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/boxford-lathe-ts-/191568812836?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c9a641b24

Yes, it seems they've just not had a UK outlet until a few years ago.

I've been looking for a milling machine, I had to sell my last during a move.

I've been offered an Epple fm50s, 3 years old with dro for £1.8k, with some tooling etc. I know its from the far east, however they're tested/rebuilt in germany by Epple before selling on.

Any thoughts or opinions on them? A fairly nice size, iso40.

http://www.epple.com/en.html

http://www.epple.co.uk/milling-machines/turret-mill-digi

Edited By John Stevenson on 28/07/2015 09:54:15

Have you bought this? If not would you pass on details?

What I'd like to find out is what was changed from sm2 to age2? Is it worth paying the extra for a machine with it fitted?

If using age2 is it possible to feed in programs from mastercam or similar? Any thoughts/opinions on sm2 or age2 as an operating system? I know they're older and only 2 axis but they'll do fine for what I need as a hobby user

Many thanks.

A friend of mine has been offered a Bridgeport EZ trak, 3 axis control, monochrome display.

Just how good are they? He's thinking of using it to make motorcycle yokes and rearsets etc, he's no experience of programming one but I guess it shouldn't be too hard?

It wasn't hesitation!

So now need to find something else...

It seems I might have been gazumped which is a little bit annoying. I was really looking forward to getting the machine

Its not much of a worry to be, however I was asking if it should be? I really like the universal machines and love the design too, nothing against the bridgeport at all.

I've seen a Thiel duplex 158, its more or less got every extra you could buy at the time with it( dividing head/collets/high speed head/slotting head/dividing head/boring head/centre locator), its in good condition and i'd love it in my garage. However I'm slightly worried that it could be a time bomb as I can't find anywhere that sells spares etc anymore. It is something I should worry about? Its only hobby use. Anyone else bought/using something not quite 'run of the mill', pardon the pun

I had one and thought it was OK. I sold it when I realised I could have a 3 phase machine for less cash, I didn't find it made much noise and changing the gears wasn't much of a pain in the bottom either.

I'll be making motorcycle parts, I'd like to build a few stationary and I/C engine's, Skim motorcycle heads.

Is it possible to get spares if needed still? I'm just waiting on more details, with all the parts/extras it should be able to do more than ever needed I guess? Also more than I can do too!

I'm trying to find out some info about these machines...

I've seen a nice THIEL duplex 158 with the following:

Dividing head/vice/high speed head/slotting head/dividing head/boaring head/centre locator/dro.

How do they compare to a series 1 bridgeport? Anything particular to look for? Anyone have/use one? What sort of cash would the above package be worth?

Regards

I'll get a pic up later

I've a very nice rapid original tool post, quick change type. However I need another tool holder and one for a boring bar.

I can't seem to find them anywhere. Can anyone help? Failing that I guess I could ebay mine and buy a 'new' one.

What would be the best thing to do?

Thanks for the info people.

I've gone for the following from Glanze

10mm internal threading

12mm external threading

Also a set that includes

Boring & facing counterbore @ 90 'with 95 'approach for minimum bore size dia of 9.5mm
45' Chamfer on RH side and 55' on LH side
50' Chamfer on both LH & RH side
Only through facing with 75' approach utilising 100' LH unused cutting corners
Only turning with 75' approach utilising 100' unused RH cutting corners
Turning & facing at 90' with 95' approach LH style
Turning & facing at 90' with 95 approach RH style

All in 12mm shank.

I didn't go for tips so need to find some decent tips for aluminium...... Just need to find some of those now.