Milling machine Q's...
Discussion
Howdy all.
Due to a garage now under way, I'm looking at getting a milling machine, I had to sell my bridgeport when I moved. Looking at this...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABENE-VHF-3-HORIZONTAL-A...
Anyone used this make before?
Due to a garage now under way, I'm looking at getting a milling machine, I had to sell my bridgeport when I moved. Looking at this...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABENE-VHF-3-HORIZONTAL-A...
Anyone used this make before?
It really does depend on what jobs you want to do on it. Nice to have 3 axis DRO and also power feed to the cross traverse.
Can't decide whether the vertical travel is powered though. Looks a lot more robust than a Bridgeport but robust
could be considered clumsy to use which is no good for fine work. Those large end mills have seen better days too.
Can't decide whether the vertical travel is powered though. Looks a lot more robust than a Bridgeport but robust
could be considered clumsy to use which is no good for fine work. Those large end mills have seen better days too.
From what I've read about them, they're more accurate, Well more of a tool room type thing than a Bridgeport. It's only going to be used for car and bike bits, in years to come some starionary engines. It just looks like an interesting design that you only seem to get with European stuff. Price seems sensible all things considered?
It's a great machine; I've been watching it - this is the 2nd time he's listed it.
More information on the Abene here: http://www.lathes.co.uk/abene/page4.html
There's also a section on a "proper" machinists forum: http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/deckel-maho-a... where it's often spoken about
Have you got 3 phase? It's got a 5hp spindle motor and another 2hp for the feed - it'll be a struggle to convert to and run on single phase; just from the power requirment let alone the potential integration challenges.
The worst thing about the add is that vice - I'd not trust that to hold a wet noodle in place.
If you're looking at this class of machine (build quality etc) then other options are Deckel (but you'll need to eBay a kidney), Maho (a Deckel type of good reputation). I've seen a couple of Hurons pass through over the last year as well but you'd definitely need 3 phase for one of those and you're looking at 5k for a cheap one.
More information on the Abene here: http://www.lathes.co.uk/abene/page4.html
There's also a section on a "proper" machinists forum: http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/deckel-maho-a... where it's often spoken about
Have you got 3 phase? It's got a 5hp spindle motor and another 2hp for the feed - it'll be a struggle to convert to and run on single phase; just from the power requirment let alone the potential integration challenges.
The worst thing about the add is that vice - I'd not trust that to hold a wet noodle in place.
If you're looking at this class of machine (build quality etc) then other options are Deckel (but you'll need to eBay a kidney), Maho (a Deckel type of good reputation). I've seen a couple of Hurons pass through over the last year as well but you'd definitely need 3 phase for one of those and you're looking at 5k for a cheap one.
GnuBee said:
It's a great machine; I've been watching it - this is the 2nd time he's listed it.
More information on the Abene here: http://www.lathes.co.uk/abene/page4.html
There's also a section on a "proper" machinists forum: http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/deckel-maho-a... where it's often spoken about
Have you got 3 phase? It's got a 5hp spindle motor and another 2hp for the feed - it'll be a struggle to convert to and run on single phase; just from the power requirment let alone the potential integration challenges.
The worst thing about the add is that vice - I'd not trust that to hold a wet noodle in place.
If you're looking at this class of machine (build quality etc) then other options are Deckel (but you'll need to eBay a kidney), Maho (a Deckel type of good reputation). I've seen a couple of Hurons pass through over the last year as well but you'd definitely need 3 phase for one of those and you're looking at 5k for a cheap one.
There was a cheap deckel on ebay the other day, I missed it though!More information on the Abene here: http://www.lathes.co.uk/abene/page4.html
There's also a section on a "proper" machinists forum: http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/deckel-maho-a... where it's often spoken about
Have you got 3 phase? It's got a 5hp spindle motor and another 2hp for the feed - it'll be a struggle to convert to and run on single phase; just from the power requirment let alone the potential integration challenges.
The worst thing about the add is that vice - I'd not trust that to hold a wet noodle in place.
If you're looking at this class of machine (build quality etc) then other options are Deckel (but you'll need to eBay a kidney), Maho (a Deckel type of good reputation). I've seen a couple of Hurons pass through over the last year as well but you'd definitely need 3 phase for one of those and you're looking at 5k for a cheap one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEKAL-FP2-UNIVERSAL-PREC...
I Might go for the Abene, I'm attracted to the way its put together/designed if I'm honest. I've a rotary phase converter that I use for my 3 phase stuff.
What do you think i should pay?
That Deckel appears to have been a bargain... There's a guy who's been trying to sell a FP3 for the last couple of months who has a starting price of over 9k. I don't doubt they're good machines but I do wonder if they've got a touch of the Myford fairy dust about them.
I'm certainly no expert on machine values but I'd be looking to pay 2.5k for it personally based on him already having tried it for 29 days previously (January time) and that decent turret mills (Tree, Semco are around that sort of money). It's a bit of awkward thing to move because it's a bit unusual, has dirty great spindle and feed motors and doesn't have Bridgeport written on it so it doesn't appeal to the live steam/model makers market
If I'd sorted my 3 phase out it was on my shortlist along with a Maho MH700 and Cincinnati.
I'm certainly no expert on machine values but I'd be looking to pay 2.5k for it personally based on him already having tried it for 29 days previously (January time) and that decent turret mills (Tree, Semco are around that sort of money). It's a bit of awkward thing to move because it's a bit unusual, has dirty great spindle and feed motors and doesn't have Bridgeport written on it so it doesn't appeal to the live steam/model makers market
If I'd sorted my 3 phase out it was on my shortlist along with a Maho MH700 and Cincinnati.
GnuBee said:
That Deckel appears to have been a bargain... There's a guy who's been trying to sell a FP3 for the last couple of months who has a starting price of over 9k. I don't doubt they're good machines but I do wonder if they've got a touch of the Myford fairy dust about them.
I'm certainly no expert on machine values but I'd be looking to pay 2.5k for it personally based on him already having tried it for 29 days previously (January time) and that decent turret mills (Tree, Semco are around that sort of money). It's a bit of awkward thing to move because it's a bit unusual, has dirty great spindle and feed motors and doesn't have Bridgeport written on it so it doesn't appeal to the live steam/model makers market
If I'd sorted my 3 phase out it was on my shortlist along with a Maho MH700 and Cincinnati.
Its mad, I've seen 80's bridgeports on ebay sell for £7+k, 90's for 9k. Its crazy as they're not quite the same quality.I'm certainly no expert on machine values but I'd be looking to pay 2.5k for it personally based on him already having tried it for 29 days previously (January time) and that decent turret mills (Tree, Semco are around that sort of money). It's a bit of awkward thing to move because it's a bit unusual, has dirty great spindle and feed motors and doesn't have Bridgeport written on it so it doesn't appeal to the live steam/model makers market
If I'd sorted my 3 phase out it was on my shortlist along with a Maho MH700 and Cincinnati.
From what I've read they're the same quality as Deckels/theils etc. The Deckel was cheap as it was listed as a "deckal".
I know what you mean about myford fairy dust, they're welcome to it, thats why I've got a lovely lovely boxford sts toolroom lathe that would have been 3x the price with another badge.
Well whilst your talking machine tools I have listed my three phase collection :- 6 centre lathes, 1 capstan lathe, 1 XYZ cnc lathe, 3 vertical mills, 1 turret mill, 2 horizontal mills, 1 Haas cnc machining centre, 2 surface grinders, 1 cylindrical grinder, 4 pillar drills, 1 radial drill, 1 bandsaw, 1 cut off saw, 5 off hand grinders, 1 300amp mig welder, 1 450amp stick welder, 1 set full size oxy/acetylene welding bottles. All in good working order and ready to rumble!
mr.man said:
Well whilst your talking machine tools I have listed my three phase collection :- 6 centre lathes, 1 capstan lathe, 1 XYZ cnc lathe, 3 vertical mills, 1 turret mill, 2 horizontal mills, 1 Haas cnc machining centre, 2 surface grinders, 1 cylindrical grinder, 4 pillar drills, 1 radial drill, 1 bandsaw, 1 cut off saw, 5 off hand grinders, 1 300amp mig welder, 1 450amp stick welder, 1 set full size oxy/acetylene welding bottles. All in good working order and ready to rumble!
Have you a link?mr.man said:
Well whilst your talking machine tools I have listed my three phase collection :- 6 centre lathes, 1 capstan lathe, 1 XYZ cnc lathe, 3 vertical mills, 1 turret mill, 2 horizontal mills, 1 Haas cnc machining centre, 2 surface grinders, 1 cylindrical grinder, 4 pillar drills, 1 radial drill, 1 bandsaw, 1 cut off saw, 5 off hand grinders, 1 300amp mig welder, 1 450amp stick welder, 1 set full size oxy/acetylene welding bottles. All in good working order and ready to rumble!
That's a serious tool habit 
Other than the obvious "machine metal" what do you do? Production? "Job shop" as our US cousins would say? R&D/Prototyping?
GnuBee said:
mr.man said:
Well whilst your talking machine tools I have listed my three phase collection :- 6 centre lathes, 1 capstan lathe, 1 XYZ cnc lathe, 3 vertical mills, 1 turret mill, 2 horizontal mills, 1 Haas cnc machining centre, 2 surface grinders, 1 cylindrical grinder, 4 pillar drills, 1 radial drill, 1 bandsaw, 1 cut off saw, 5 off hand grinders, 1 300amp mig welder, 1 450amp stick welder, 1 set full size oxy/acetylene welding bottles. All in good working order and ready to rumble!
That's a serious tool habit Other than the obvious "machine metal" what do you do? Production? "Job shop" as our US cousins would say? R&D/Prototyping?
not the best paying sometimes. My men prefer it like this as well as you never know what work is coming through the door next. Over the years customers have ranged from all walks of life such as vintage cars,classic cars, motorbikes,aircraft,
boats,trains, steam engines,water mills,wind mills,agricultural machines, MOD work, power stations,sewage works,food processors,saw mills,joinery shops and many more that I can't think of just now. These are really just the frilly bits of
nostalgia. The lions share of work is new parts for other peoples new build machinery which of late consists of lots of work for the converting industry.
ps. just remembered my slotting machine for the internal keyways and splines etc.
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