I am a little bit concerned about buying heavy machinery from far away, but these folks seem to have some of the better prices listed on China and Taiwan import lathes.
TIA, John
I have been looking longingly at the 14 X 40 Geared head lathes that many companies sell. Have also seen a lot of commentary about the Chinese tools in general. Although I'd like to get mine as cheaply as possible, I am going to hold out until I can actually get my hands on the lathe that I will eventually buy. So many horror stories. It's one thing to buy a "project" lathe, one that you have to tune up for the first couple of years that you own it. It's another thing to find that your investment leaves you with missing features or poor quality. From what I can tell, many importers by from the same companies in China, but spec out better quality. Some even have their own quality guys on site! (I heard that Delta does this). I bought an 8" tilting table table saw from American Machine Tool back in about 1958 and I sure got my $8.95 out of it, but a ton or two of cast iron?
All in all, I think you should get one and tell us all how it worked out.
As a matter of fact, it would be great if everyone who buys a Chinese machine tool would post here to help the rest of us. Is quality improving in general? How about parts and technical support? Accuracy? Finish? Delivery? Warranty?
Pete Stanaitis
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John Horner wrote:
I was doing an industrial visit to a company I had worked for in the past. The company has ordered two huge vertical boring mills from China. What surprised me was that they intend to tear them down and go through them completely before start up. Even with the expense of the company millwrights and machinists doing this it is more economical than buying better quality. That is the story I got anyway. I do know they have repeatedly been stung on Chinese quality. I know that in the shop I worked in we had a plate nibbler from Europe. It cost 30,000 dollars and could manage nibbling 1 1/8th plate. The Chinese version bought for the main plant was 6000 dollars and it had trouble doing half inch plate. It is the target of regular derogatory comments from the foreman. I would be inclined to test run the exact machine tool I was buying and make sure there was a warranty of some sort. I would try to max out the machine within a week of taking possession. Randy
I had the opportunity several years ago to speak with the shop foreman at Summit Machine Tool in Oklahoma City. They at that time imported their castings from Europe, Romaina I think. They then did all the work here in the states. They maintained the quality over the fit and finish this way.
No complaints about my HF 12x36 lathe that I bought a little over a year ago. Still less than .001 TIR at the 3-jaw chuck; tailstock alignment still within .001. Work mainly with rifle barrels.
-jc-
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