Archie wrote:
I have a number of machines no longer needed,
but logistically the shipping costs might be too high.
Among which are:
Enco milling machine, Model 91002
Floor base mounted
2hp 12 speed, R-8
Used around 50-60hrs, unused for almost a year.
$700. +ship
Mazak VQC 20/40A Machining Ctr. (1985)
Mazatrol controller, 30 station tool changer,(CV-40)
Oil cooler, etc.
Physical size 9'w, x 9'w, x 10'h
$4000. + ship
Archie
Is that Mazak in good shape Archie? My problem is I am reluctant to
buy something from somebody I don't know as there could be something
wrong with it that I would not detect until it was up and running.
HAS BEEN UNUSED FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS, AND MOVED
TO MY HANGAR AT THE AIRPORT FOR STORAGE.
I guess I am a skeptic and wary by nature. What does that Mazak weigh?
DO NOT KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT HAD RIGGERS
MOVE IT FOR ME. REQUIRES VERY LARGE FORK TRUCK.
I WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE IT CROSS COUNTRY,
DUE TO WEIGHT, AND REMEMBER, THE Z AXIS COLUMN IS
ALMOST 10' HIGH
HAVE AN OPEN TRUCK OUTFIT DO IT.
That sounds like a gangbusters price. I could rent a one way truck.
Even if it cost a couple of tho to get it out here that is still
a good price for such a machine. Got any pictures? Is there a RS232
for downloading G code?
YES, 232 PORT
NO PHOTOS, BUT PERHAPS A NET SEARCH WILL SHOW SIMILAR
MACHINES FOR SALE. TRY "MAZAK 20/40A"
Wow a huge machine for a cheap price. I am tempted. Sounds like I don't
have
enough power in the hangar to run it.
Paul Lamar
Paul,
Some things to consider:
The cost of moving and installing these big machines matches their weight.
The large machines are so difficult and expensive to deal with that they
wind up going for scrap, or lately loaded on a boat to China. I wish I was
kidding. Plus if anything breaks you will be on the phone to guys who ask
for your credit card number and bill you at $100 an hour to tell you it will
cost $5000 or more to fix the problem. There is a reason that large machines
are cheaper than the small to medium machines, sometimes free if you will
just come and get it. Price the tooling also. Price some cat 40 and 50
tooling and tools. Do you have enough juice to power a 10 horse 3 phase
motor at your hangar?? Priced installing a load center to do that lately?
How about the slab, is it just a measly 4 inch slab or the required
thickness for that weight? I had the same Idea to put a machining center at
a hangar at my local municipal field. They had a big drive to re-develop the
airport. The rent was cheap. The code situation in Arkansas is ummmm.....
"liberal" but it still was going to cost me a fortune just to install my
little mill. I can't imagine dealing with the code Nazi's in Kaliforia on
such an issue. Before it was over, I was going to have to spend 10K just to
get the services installed.
I have seen some small bed mills go for very reasonable prices lately. If
you are going to get a machine I suggest looking into this. I probably will
get one as soon as my shop is finished. Some things that are nice to have is
and enclosure, coolant system, and tool changer. It is pretty easy to check
a machine out once you know what to look for. Always try to get one that is
under power so you can check it out. You can also usually tell if the
machine has been abused by it's general appearance. There are a lot of used
tooling dealers on the west coast with a lot of inventory right now.
Unfortunately I can't recommend any of them because it is too far from me
for shipping, so I haven't dealt with any of them. Surely there is a
reputable one out there that will guarantee a machine being good. Just do
some asking around. Crooks tend not to stay in business during lean times.
Monty
OK Monty I hear you I have three phase 220 but I don't think it will
handle 10 HP. Also my slab may not take it. What is your guess on the weight
of the Mazak?
Paul Lamar
A couple of more questions if you don't mind. Can I use the DRO sensors if I
convert a Chinese mill to stepper motor NC? I note that Enco is having a sale
on a 9 x 42 knee mill with DRO and table drive for $3,995. free shipping.
Is it usable? I can save $1600 if I don't get the DRO and the table drive.
Should I do that and install a NC retrofit?
Will I have to change the screw drive to a ball screw drive?
If so what will that cost?
Thanks Monty.
Paul Lamar
Paul, I got this tip from a former Enco dealer and a fellow machinist. As most advice it is worth
every penny you pay for it. Dealer sold an Enco "bridgeport" to a shop. Sometime after he was
called about some parts. Dealer called Enco and is asked what color the mill is. "It's green,
they're all green". "Yes, but is it light green, medium green, or dark green?" Seems the mill was
made at three different Chinese factories, but stocked under the same part number and some parts
weren't quite interchangeable.
>From my machinist buddy came this story. His friend gets a contract and buys a nice new Enco
lathe. Six months into the job the clutch in the spindle goes kaflooey. He calls Enco to learn
those parts are on back order and have been for six months. He loses the contract, has to pay
contract penalties, and darn near loses his house. A few months later he is cleaning the base of
the lathe and finds a plastic bag under a lump of cosmoline. Yep, a brand new set of clutch
plates.
There are other stories of a similar nature and my own experience is that Enco quality is
EXTREMELY hit and miss. I have an Enco horizontal bandsaw that has served me well, but I bought it
knowing that at $700 I could afford to turn it into a boat anchor if I couldn't fix it. There have
been other things that I bought, used once and threw them away they were so bad. I've also had
stuff back ordered so long that I just gave up and paid a higher price elsewhere to get it now.
My advice is to do your homework with your local machine tool repair shops. They know what works
and lasts. That was how I bought a Birmingham lathe and I've never been sorry.
Rick Girard
Well I would like one of those Bridgeport NC BOSS mills if I can find one
at a really good price. Most that I have seen so far have been $8000 or more.
Paul Lamar
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