Advice on Emco Maximat V10 -P

[Firewood]

Hi there, this is my first post other than introduction. I've been looking to buy a lathe and/or mill for a while now and it seems like any of the ones I am interested in get snatched up real quick (A few weeks ago I missed out on a good deal on an Atlas because I was away for a wedding!).

Right now there is an Emco Maximat V10-p that just got posted for sale. I live in a place that never saw much along the lines of the metal industry so machinery is few and far between. I'm looking for some guidance on this machine (or warnings if it is not a good machine to get into or start out with). What I have found out so far is:
-There are fibre gears that are designed to be a sacrificial weak point that should be inspected (I believe you have to unscrew a plate on the top?)
-The motor direction/speed/on/off switch is problematic and expensive to replace
-Spare parts are hard to find and expensive

On the plus side, it appears to have the mill attachment and my understanding is the green ones are a stronger 6 speed variant, and newer, than the blue models which were a 4 speed and slightly lighter duty. Its hard to find good information on these machines, especially for someone who is green as grass to machinery.

Its kind of at the far end of my price range especially because it doesn't include tooling. The want over $2000 Canadian pesos from what I can tell it only comes with a 3 jaw chuck and stand.

If I could get some direction on what to look for to gauge its condition I would be very grateful!

 

[mikey]

Firewood, I do not have, nor have I even seen a V-10-P. I do have an Emco Super 11 and have refurbished a Compact 8 and can say that they are superb machines. Before going further, let me link a "Handbook" from the Yahoo Emco Larger Lathes group that you should join if you buy this machine. Here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16f1qJO6IyKsYaG7cqB9ENW1RSm2ESB_gVwz-TQxSRJU/edit#

I presume you've read Tony Griffith's site but just in case, see this: http://www.lathes.co.uk/emco/page4.html

I am also attaching the Operator's Manual for the V10-P. This will give you an idea of how the lathe and milling attachment work. Emco always lists all the tooling available for that model of lathe so if they made it, you will find it in the manual.

Since Emco is totally committed to CNC nowadays, all support for their older manual machines is gone. If you need a part then the only option is to buy it on the used market; occasionally, you may be lucky enough to find a NOS part. Depending on the model, these parts can be easy or hard to find. Typically, you will see an entire lathe parted out on ebay and you'll be able to find what you need if you're vigilant. Do note that since parts are hard to get, the prices will be higher than any of us like.

In general, Emco lathes are really well made and to a pretty high standard. Since yours resides in North America, it should have an Imperial leadscrew but you should check. If you do end up with this lathe, find and obtain the complete change gear set. The V10-p did come with some fiber gears so the lathe must come to a full stop before switching gears; you would do this anyway, right?

One characteristic of Emco lathes, at least the larger ones to include the V10-P, is that the cross slide and compound can be adjusted to run with zero backlash - ZERO. This aids in accuracy and is a real pleasure to use.

It's hard to recommend a lathe sight unseen, much less one I haven't run myself or know everything about. You'll have to decide but, in general, Emco lathes are really good, really accurate and few seem to regret owning one. I would highly recommend you join the Emco Larger Lathes Yahoo group and discuss it further with them.


Mike

 

[Firewood]

Mike,

Thanks a lot for the in depth reply. Very useful information and I'm going to spend some time reading the info you provided me with. I am waiting to hear back from the seller but hopefully I can view it soon. I think I could scrape up a little extra money since getting a lathe and mill combo would be very useful. Thanks again for the info!

 

[mikey]

Mike,

Thanks a lot for the in depth reply. Very useful information and I'm going to spend some time reading the info you provided me with. I am waiting to hear back from the seller but hopefully I can view it soon. I think I could scrape up a little extra money since getting a lathe and mill combo would be very useful. Thanks again for the info!

I should mention that the milling attachment is good only for rudimentary milling. It works but the travel in Y is limited to what your cross slide has. Personally, I would tell the seller to keep the milling attachment and sell it separately, then drop the price on the lathe. You will be much happier and much better off having a stand alone milling machine.

The V10-P has a top speed of 2500 rpm and it'll get down to 60 rpm in low gear. Not too bad a speed range for a little 10" lathe. We have one locally for sale and if I didn't already have a Super 11, I might consider this one: https://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/tls/d/emco-mill-lathe/6275886103.html

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck!

 

[den-den]

I have a V10-P and really like it. I got a great deal at a garage sale. It had one stripped fiber gear which I replaced with a steel gear. The previous owner had never ran it because the lathe and mill had three phase motors. I put a VFD on it. I can say that the factory electrical controls are not that great but the lathe is well made and accurate. The mill has not been very useful to me as I have a Diamond horizontal mill that is much more rigid.

 

[Firewood]

Thank you for the replies. The fellow that was firstt in line hasn't got back to him so I will hopefully be able to check it out before work.

To check out the fibre gears, my understanding is ther eis a plate on top with 4 screws and its as simple as removing the plate and rotating the lathe? How much can I expect to spend on replacing those gears either with fibre or steel/metal alloy?

Also it sounds like the motor may be missing or have damaged cooling fins, could someone eventure a guess on cost to repair or replace the motor? I am brand new to all this.

Thanks so much for the help! This is a great forum.

 

[mikey]

Used motors come up from time to time. The main seller of used Emco parts is a fellow named "Iwasamiller". He responds to emails so contact him re parts. He has a motor right now that only works in low speed range for $60.00 - not sure what is wrong with it. If it was me, I would slap a 3-ph 1HP motor in it and use a VFD instead of looking for an original replacement.

I also do not know how much it costs for a metal replacement gear. He is selling those fiber gears for $150 each and I think it may be cheaper to use a metal gear. On the other hand, fiber gears are intended to protect the gear train so its your call.

 

[den-den]

Yes, open the top and rotate the shafts while looking for damaged teeth.
I paid about $30 for a steel gear but had to bore it and face it to a reduce the width. I used the old lathe that I had before getting the Maximat to modify the gear. It was a metric gear but I don't remember the specs now. My Maximat has metric components but cuts Imperial threads (I don't believe this is true for all Maximat V10 models.)

 

[Firewood]

Okay so good news and bad news.

Good news is got to look at it and he's holding for me while I think about it. It seems to rotate nice and smooth. It comes with a rotating table and an extra X Y vice to use with the milling machine.

Bad news is the motor for the milling machine doesn't work. It hums but doesn't spin and a few cooling fins are snapped off. I'm operating under the assumption the motor will need to be replaced. Also, the fibre gear on the left has sustained a bit of damage on the right side of it. I'll try to add a picture I took. I would love to hear if it's enough to expect a failure in the future or just clean it up? It also doesn't come with the centre for the tail side. I believe it's called the live centre?

Other than that I think it looks decent. The seller knows as much (or as little) as I do about machining haha. Which is none. He hasn't used it himself. There isn't any tooling with it but he said he'd take what would equal about $1450 USD.

Additional advice would be very appreciated!

 

[Firewood]

Additional pictures. I'm pretty excited, I would like to get it but am worried about cost of the live center and tooling. Lathes don't come up for sale very often here (other than the odd Grizzly or Asian made.