ARM,
Hi...
Tell me the ideal size and speed specifications for the lathe you would like to get. Sounds like 12x24". Give me some clues about what kind of work you do on it. Also tell me if you want ultra high precision or if you want what I will call "standard and reasonable" precision.
Let me do some research for you. Also, the differences in price are all due to economic factors such as exchange rates and primarily, cost of shipping and import taxes/duties.
Ray
Hi Ray
Man 'tis real cool on Your part to try and resolve our dilemma.
Here goes................
Bed Size definitely 12x24", No bed gap no problemo. All Dials Leadscrew etc in Metric. Speed to 2500/2800 RPM - even better with VARIABLE SPEED CONTROLLED INVERTER. Spindle Bore 40mm (1-9/16"), Spindle MT5 Taper, Must have 5C DRAW BAR TUBE, don't trust LEVER COLLET CLOSER - too many moving parts and expensive. With MT5 Spindle taper numerous Adaptors easily available for DRAW TUBE. Spindle Mounting D1-4 CAMLOCK - (easy to get good Chuck etc Tooling) Tailstock MT3, Prefer 3 HP motor in 380V 3 Phase. FOOT BRAKE - COMPULSORY !!! Machine must "weigh-IN at over 500 Kgs, thats about Your 1100 lbs. U know, the heavier the better. Include most ACCESSORIES, plus DRO - if not too expensive.
Presently, mostly Hobby Turning. Turned some 20/30 mm Cartridges and liked that. Working in S/S and Titanium, so need good Coolant system. Man, does Ti need a flint !!! Need to do Threading both internal and external in Metric mostly for Knife Hilts etc.
We cannot afford "ultra high precision" - Standard and reasonable will be good enough for us, for now. So long as "precision" is built into the machine to some degree, it will suffice.
All Prices are generally Quoted from the East in US Dollars. We only deal that way. To make things even easier, we will organise our own Shipping so long as the machine is from TAIWAN specifically. U gotta let us know if otherwise so's we can confirm accordingly. Import Duty and local VAT is all for our Account.
Trust this will give U a fair indication. Let me know if there's something omitted.
LORD BLESS
aRM
- - - Updated - - -
If that Babin machine guy is the same as the well known Ali Babin,you might be well advised to steer completely clear of him. Ali Babin seems to be a well known shyster.
I have heard that you must NEVER leave the Babin machinery place without EVERY little piece that you paid for. He never honors his promise to find missing things and send them to you. I don't want anything a guy like that has rebuilt,either,IF he is the same person as Ali Babin. I have heard many bad stories about Ali Babin.
Hey George, U Guys should know these dudes better than us.
We talking from eyeballing his window-dressing
Oh well, another bad deal bites the dust.
Sad to hear really.
aRM