New shop. Now I need a lathe and milling machine

[woodchucker]

The power drawbars I've seen that were air-powered use a 3/8"-drive butterfly impact wrench. It spins freely when not in use, so it's a good application if you have available shop air.

Here's one on ebay: https://ebay.us/m/6MqNiW (I recognize this link will go away.)

Rick "has not implemented a power drawbar yet" Denney

it should not remain engaged on the drawbar. It should detach. if it remains on the drawbar it is not being lubricated and will shorten the life to a very short few days.

 

[rwdenney]

it should not remain engaged on the drawbar. It should detach. if it remains on the drawbar it is not being lubricated and will shorten the life to a very short few days.

That isn't the reported experience of users, but I don't own one myself...yet.

Rick "just going on reports" Denney

 

[Larry$]

it should not remain engaged on the drawbar

That's why it is spring loaded, so it slides up off the draw bar as soon as you let go.

 

[NCjeeper]

 

[EastTexCowboy]

That looks exactly like the one I just ordered.

 

[Wanttolearn]

Two completely different classes of lathe. Note the different gear boxes. Note the D1-4 vs D1-5 spindles. Note the larger bed casting of the 1440 and two bolt tail stock end vs single bolt. 1440 all the way. If you go 1340 you may be required to change your name to EastLACowboy and your license plates to Colorado. Unless you move up to monster class lathe, a Kingston, Mori, Whacheon I'm in the buy a new lathe camp vs used.

As for mills what you plan to machine AND the work cube you need (X, Y, Z travel) AND the material you plan to machine (aluminum vs hogging steel) AND the spindle RPM you require AND how many feet in all directions you plan to fling chips are some of the things to consider.

I went full TEXAS on my mill this time around, bypassing knee mills altogether and stepped up to a 5hp CNC bed mill with a 40# taper spindle and box ways. Because GET SOME!

View attachment 528317

Holy cow, that is a nice machine!!! Where did you purchase it from? And if you don't mind me asking what do these go for new?

 

[rwdenney]

Holy cow, that is a nice machine!!! Where did you purchase it from? And if you don't mind me asking what do these go for new?

Chevalier is part of Falcon Machine tools of Taiwan. It would appear that they only make CNC machining centers these days.

Rick “agreeing that it looks nice” Denney

 

[coolidge]

Holy cow, that is a nice machine!!! Where did you purchase it from? And if you don't mind me asking what do these go for new?

An hour away, after looking for like a full year out of the blue this bed mill goes up for sale. It was sitting under an awning outside a barn way up in the woods in a small lumber mill town in WA state. Apparently it had been purchased by the local lumber mill, then later an employee purchased it, and finally the guys I purchased it from had bought it at an estate sale. It was in serious need of cleaning, paint and a rebuild.

I paid $3k for the machine, with free delivery. I tossed them another $300 to bring their giant telescoping material lift over and place it into my garage.

New CNC bed mills today are not cheap, especially a 40x20 inch size with box ways and Turcite. $40k-$50k.

 

[Wanttolearn]

You paid 3k for the Chevalier? The white one? Is that picture of that white one that looks brand new yours?

 

[coolidge]

You paid 3k for the Chevalier? The white one? Is that picture of that white one that looks brand new yours?

The before pic when found outside a barn. Still a great price for that much iron and potential.

After I went full seal team six on it for 7 months. Just starting to add the CNC retrofit electronics and power now.