So you want a cnc lathe, or think you do but aren’t sure which way to jump?
Quite a few to choose from if you want something second hand to try out(without binning off a lot of money on some shit that doesn’t really do what you need) Here’s a few older versions to start with..
Hardinge Cobra 42: yep it’s a green screen, yep it’s around a 1990 model, yep the 21t controller is older than most people reading this but you know what? they WORK, good capacity, the spindle nose is collet ready and also can take a 8-10 inch chuck straight on in about 5 minutes. Bar feed ready with a decent main motor that doesn’t use a VFD (more on VFD’s later). Top speed 5k RPM. Quick change tool blocks that you can have all set up on the bench with a 12 tool turret that the tool block drops into with a cam lock screw system. I’d bet this will still be running and producing work long after most folks reading this will be retired. £8 – £10k every day money for something in better condition with the odd bargain coming up. (I used one of these for 3 years myself, loved em, so simple, as quick as setting up a manual lathe even for 1 off’s)
I’m actually tempted to buy one for myself as I’m typing this…
Hardinge Conquest: A bit different as it’s a “slider”, the tool bed is essentially flay across the machine and you fit as many tools as you need onto the tool mounting dovetail. Howling spindles though, really quick from memory. I used to use one of these loaded with heavy cutting oil to make all manner of bits from firing pins to muzzle breaks. Cheap as chips when you find them and generally no gimmiks to go wrong on them. Had one of these with a magazine 1m bar feeder. Great times.
Worth a punt for anybody looking for a quick and budget intro into better CNC’s. £5-£8k..
Mori – Seiki SL25: We had one of these at Kitagawa, real little workhorse, we used to make the B212 (12 inch) chucks on a machine that had a 12 inch chuck on it. Beast of a main spindle with solid castings all round it (none of the *modern skimpy castings that crack for shits and giggles) Regularly ran 63mm Sandvik U-Drills into raw billets with no problems. 40mm boring bars (CNMG) with decent depth of cut and feed rate. (I’ll tell you the story of “Crasher” trying to drill a billet without any tips in the U-Drill when time allows) even that didn’t knock the turret out of alignment)
Usually command a bit better money second hand and held their value well over the years, Got to be in the £10k range for a top drawer version but well worth it.
Ok ok so you want something bigger that looks nicer when customers come round?
Daewoo Puma 300: A good bit bigger in capacity compared to the others but a solid performer (all the Puma range are) these do what you want, when you want and aren’t as *fragile as some offerings. A lot more functionality if you want to use the *interactive programming (something I have always been against) but good graphical interface and simulation functions. (all the Fanuc “i” controls have this) Different versions have 3 and 4 axis available (C+Y) and more (and it doesn’t seem to really add much to the price) that can be useful if your mills are down (or the setter doesn’t show up) as you can complete most small turn/mill jobs easily. A solid bit of kit and yet again none of this VFD bullshit.
Ecoca MT 208 / MT 210: Unusual name you likely haven’t heard much about, Taiwanese made machines but a lot more bang for your buck even brand new. The MT210 is a cracking bit of kit and second hand you are looking around the £12k – £15k range but for a much never machine (2010 – 2015) I used one of the early MT series in the very early 2000’s and to be honest it was a solid performer with a Kitagawa chuck on it. Big capacity for what amounts to a small machine. Definitely worth a look if you can find one. (or contact them direct) Have a look at the website (translation available)
More to add to this with a good set of links to currently available machines that are actually IN the UK.