[manike]

So I am waiting (im)patiently for my new ST 20 SSY lathe.

I have been considering my options for a bar feeder that I am likely to purchase and add to it early next year.

I tried contacting a rep from LNS but haven't had even a courtesy reply yet.

I was hoping to get insight from people with different bar feeders on what I should consider/be looking for and why I should go with one over another?

Thanks

[txcncman]

I liked the SMW bar feeder. Servo feed. Pretty simple interface.

[shawncnelson]

I'd say get the Haas barfeeder, the interface with the machine is so reliable and trouble free it's almost to easy.

[ad64075]

Haas barfeeders do interface well with their own machines, however, they also use the hardware of the machine itself. Meaning a Haas barfeeder relys on the machine not only to tell it what to do, but also how and when to do it. It also means if there is ever a communication issue with the machine/barfeed, the problem will likely be within the wonderful $3000 box that Haas loves so much.

LNS makes fine machinery, and their barfeeders do not rely on a machine telling them what to do AND when to do it. LNS (among other) barfeeders control themselves and look to the machine for only simple signals; i.e. push, e-stop, chuck open/closed.

An LNS will likely cost more than a Haas unit, and since you bought a Haas machine in the first place, I can only assume cost IS an issue. LNS does offer a slightly less costly machine that is all electric as opposed to air/electric, for around $21k

[shawncnelson]

Cool story bro. I have several haas lathes with haas bar feeders and have never had a problem with them. Yes, the bar feeder relies on the lathe for instructions. I call that a benefit. The bar feeder is basically treated as just another axis(v). After embracing x and z it was an easy mind-shift.