Supply of machines

Hi all. I'm looking to buy another milling machine.ive been looking for several months.ive noticed that all of the UK distributors of Chineese machines are either low on stock or out of stock.

I read that the Chineese government are clamping down on their manufacturing from a pollution view. Does this explain the situation.i have made enquiries with several of the suppliers and I can understand their position in not really answering my enquiries.

I'm not including arceurotrade in this research as I believe they have adequate stock. I'm not casting aspersions on any one direction just genuinely concerned

Have you tried Chester tools?

Its possibly more a case of selling the machines prior to shipping from China.

I bought one of my lathes from Chester and had a 2 month wait.

JIm

Actually one of the machines I was looking at is out of stock at Chester I've heard that Jimmy but I've been looking/ researching for longer than that. Maybe I'm worrying if that's the right word un necessararly.

I noticed the same when I was looking for my mini lathe and its not just machinery, accessories seem to be OOS too.

I ordered a lathe at the Doncaster show from Chester. I specifically asked the guy at the stand if it was in stock ready for dispatch because it was showing OOS on their website. Yes he replied, you can even choose a delivery day. With that I made a payment expecting delivery in a couple of days. I later got a call from them saying it was going to be a week late because of staff shortage. I'm pretty sure they never had any stock and where just pre selling. I don't like being lied to so I cancelled.

If I could easily get a Bridgeport in my garage I'd get one . Just to large I'm afraid

Oh I know Hollowpoint. I'm also concerned re the spares situation in the future. I can understand the situation the suppliers must be in and things are out of their control well so it seems anyway.

I managed to get a SEIG SX4 ex-demo from Axminster, it took two machines to get one that was acceptable and I still had to do some work on the second but I did get a hefty discount!

Well done on that Henry. I quite like the look of the seig machines but was looking at non electronic control machines.heck I spent my life fixing electronics so I should have some idea if a boa d failed and assuming spares hard to come by. I just liked the idea of belt drive. I've not seen the Axminster seig but have checked arceurotrade youtube video and they do look nice.. I think the machines I'm looking at are distributed by Weiss in China

I think it's unlikely to be a factor in the low stock levels. China's steel production hit record levels in May, and, though there are curbs on pollution in certain areas, these curbs are not widespread enough to be having a serious impact on overall manufacturing levels.

Costs of certain raw materials, however, (iron ore, for example) have increased lately, so profit margins are down. Given the current U.S.-China trade war and the uncertain consequences of the political situation in Hong Kong, it's possible that the golden age of abundant and affordable far eastern machine tools may be on the verge of a decline.

Possibly importers/dealers maintaining minimum stock levels to keep costs down?

Plus, the Pound Sterling exchange rate has been down this year against the Chinese Yuan Renmimbi by about 20 per cent from previous levels. Currently getting about 8 RMB to the Pound, whereas last few years it was around 10.

So that makes buying anything from China 20 per cent more expensive. The smart importers would be waiting for the Pound to go up again before they import any more than they immediately need.

Don't mention the B-word.

Mike you are correct, a lot of the smaller "back alley" outfits are being forced to close as they can't afford to clean up their acts and this puts more load on the better makers who are doing what the governments require.

I know from talking with our suppliers that the companies that they buy from now have a 12month or more lead in and at least one has stopped taking orders for the moment (actually that is an indian one)

This is also going to mean increasing costs being passed on as the makers have to cover the costs of updating their set up.

Maybe Ketan will chip in as he has first hand knowledge.

Edited By JasonB on 15/06/2019 07:09:58

Heck some really very interesting and astute replies thank you all. I was of the opinion that the cost of machinary would rise. I've been looking since early in the year and as I'm 74 now I'd really like to have made a purchase before I become a speck on an event horizon.

You might do well to follow up wit ArcEurotrade. They have a good track record among forum members here.

I don't know what type of mill you're looking for or what budget you have set, but have a look at Excel Machines in Coventry. Great website and they do have a showroom. I bought a lathe from them in the mid 80's and it was fantastic value, terrific spec and quality.

For a company who seem to specialise in very large CNC machines, they always seem to cater for the likes of us as well. Worth a phone call to check stock levels. Good luck

Only problem with the ARC machines is that they are a little small, especially as Mike is thinking Bridgeport size or similar. I had the same issue, just not enough space for a Bridgeport, the SX4 is as near as was commercially available at the time.

Thanks again all for valued comments. I was thinking Small turret mill due to belt drive etc. Maybe second hand like the boxford vm30.

Ive already got a warco wm 16 which has served me well. Just wanted a larger machine with R8 . I can appreciate the problems with suppliers no of course sympathise. I was indeed looking at the Seig sx3 anyway thanks again for valued comments.

I belive the vm30 doesn't have fine feed so be careful not to overlook that. Have you looked at the warco secondhand section? They nearly always have VMC Mills for sale.

Boxford VM30 has feed by raising the table so as good and any Bridgeports fine feed. What it does not have is a quill feed so a bit of a pain in the arm if you want to use it for drilling. Also variable speed via the cone pullys so you get the best of both systems

Thanks again Jason yes thanks know about the quil feed. Was looking at quite a modern if that's the right word incarnation three pahse dual volts motor so I'd have to buy inverter too.