I NEED YOUR ADVICE = SMALL CNC LATHE
I am in the market for a small cnc lathe or turning center- perhaps a turret or gang lathe or CNC toolroom lathe, or even a combination lathe or maybe a refitted Hardinge. I would prefer under 5000 lbs/10hp as I need a small footprint, and will run (or convert to) 220v single phase.
Wish to make small parts .25” to 4” dia in brass & aluminum in small runs of 10 to 100. I would like a later machine that I can program conversationally or with g-code from cad-cam and don’t have to worry about controller parts not available. Budget is under $20k or maybe more a for something really nice.
Any suggestions/ favorites/ ones to avoid?? One guy suggested a late ‘90’s Mazac w/ mazitrol, but they are expensive and will they even run g-code? I’ve looked at a Leadwell, and a Omni-turn gang lathes and at the bigger Japanese stuff withFanucs 10’s. 19’s,21’s??? Wondering how old is “too” old on the Fanucs? What about Milltronics? What about Huth? (Sorry, I’ve got a lot of questions about this)
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bbuz
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