Yes or no on this milling machine?

[FOMOGO]

Buy them both and sell the lathe if you don't want it. That way you may well end up with an even better deal. Of course we are all going to push you to indulge in as much iron as possible. Mike

 

[Robo_Pi]

I agree with FOMOGO, if you can afford it buy both and then sell the lathe if you want. How much more is he asking for the lathe? You can hardly go wrong with a South Bend.

 

[MrWhoopee]

How much is the package price?

Here's my take on the RPC. Fred gave me my mill and lathe, with the promise that he would give me the 7.5 hp RPC when he had sold all the rest of the 3 ph equipment. I got a static converter like the one Cooter Brown referred to in post #63 and used it until Fred gave me the RPC. Now that I have the RPC all wired up and working, I'm seriously thinking about going back to the static converter. The continuous whine of the RPC motor and the fact that it draws almost 40 amps of 220v (it overheated the breaker after 4-5 hrs of operation) make the static converter very attractive. Yes, you do suffer about 1/3 power reduction with the static, but I haven't noticed it.

So, if you don't need or can't use the lathe, buy the package, sell the lathe and the RPC together. The lathe will be an easier sale with the RPC.

 

[Robo_Pi]

So, if you don't need or can't use the lathe, buy the package, sell the lathe and the RPC together. The lathe will be an easier sale with the RPC.

That's true too. There are a lot of options on this deal.

If it were me, I'd buy the whole package, I'd keep the lathe and the mill. Take the 3ph motors off both of them and sell the RPC with the 2 3ph motors and just replace the motors with 110/220 volt standard motors. No need for either a RPC or a VFD. Both the lathe and the mill already have mechanical speed controls built-in. I personally don't mind changing belts on pulleys at all. In fact, I actually prefer the purely mechanical approach.

To each their own.

There are a lot of possibilities in this package. Still waiting on the total package price though. Also what all comes with the lathe? Does it have multiple chucks 3 and 4 jaw? Collets? Taper attachment? Center rest? Etc. Just curious what all comes with it. I'm a big fan of South Bend lathes so I'd be really excited to find a deal like you are currently considering.

 

[pontiac428]

I could certainly find a use for a 16" lathe, but I understand why it would be intimidating to find the space, power, and moving equipment to deal with it. It really changes the scope of your machinery search to stumble into a deal like that. If the lathe price were proportional to the mill price, it would also be hard to walk away from.

 

[Robo_Pi]

If the lathe price were proportional to the mill price, it would also be hard to walk away from.

I'm thinking the same thing. A grand for the lathe sounds about right too.

So,..... Don't just stand there,....

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!
then,
Move it! Move it! Move it!
then,
Clean it! Clean it! Clean it!
then,
Repair it! Repair it! Repair it!
then,
Sell it! Sell it! Sell it!

And don't forget to post photos of the whole process. Or better yet start a YouTube machine shop channel.

Owl subscribe!

 

[Jason280]

Crazy as it sounds, I may end up passing on the deal. The seller is asking $2k for the lathe, mill, and 3 phase converter, which isn't a bad deal....except I have found another potential deal on an Atlas 12x36, LeBlond Regal 17", and Enco variable speed milling machine with 3 phase converter.

The LeBlond is in much better condition than the South Bend, and the Enco doesn't appear to need any work. I still need to go through my paces with all three machines, but this seems like potentially a better deal.

 

[tjb]

Crazy as it sounds, I may end up passing on the deal. The seller is asking $2k for the lathe, mill, and 3 phase converter, which isn't a bad deal....except I have found another potential deal on an Atlas 12x36, LeBlond Regal 17", and Enco variable speed milling machine with 3 phase converter.

The LeBlond is in much better condition than the South Bend, and the Enco doesn't appear to need any work. I still need to go through my paces with all three machines, but this seems like potentially a better deal.

I'm right up the road from you. A bit of a long shot, but I might be interested in the LeBlond (depending on condition/price). If that helps the package deal, let me know.

Regards,
Terry

 

[Robo_Pi]

Crazy as it sounds, I may end up passing on the deal. The seller is asking $2k for the lathe, mill, and 3 phase converter, which isn't a bad deal....

Yep, I'd say that a pretty good deal.

except I have found another potential deal on an Atlas 12x36, LeBlond Regal 17", and Enco variable speed milling machine with 3 phase converter.

My my! Looks like you live in deal land. Candy stores everywhere you turn.

 

[pontiac428]

I really like the direction this is going!

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