cinematechnic
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2005
- Location
- Walnut Creek, CA
A tool and die shop close to me has shut down and the building housing the machines is being sold. Subsequently the machines will be sold as well.
The one machine I'm interested in is a Hardinge HLV-H. I'm hoping some members would be willing to provide some advice on what a good price would be.
While a bunch people were in there to look at the building, I got a chance to talk to the owner. He's an older gentleman and has retired due to health reasons.
He says he will be liquidating his machines and tooling but hasn't decided how he's going to go about it. I believe he would be willing to deal with me directly.
He told me he paid $16k for the Hardinge but didn't say how long ago. I understand $16k is "good money" and is only appropriate for a machine in good shape.
I own an operate a Schaublin 102N, which is great for a lot of things - but threading isn't one of those things. I've talked to many HLV owners and know that the HLV would suit my needs (mostly high precision one-off or very short runs). I know a member of this forum that is somewhat local to me who runs my threaded parts on his HLV and the results are always great.
The machine in question is an HLV-H, 1.5 HP / 230V, with "wiring diagram KLD-8220". I did not find the serial number (didn't know where to look perhaps someone can tell me). The machine runs and was in use recently.
It has the motor on the carriage, and a 1/6 HP "Gusher" coolant pump. It is fitted with an Accu-Rite DRO, "Wizard Lathe" IIRC.
There are about 60 5C collets in the collet trays, as well as a few large soft collets. There was a 4" 3-Jaw chuck that looked like it went with the HLV. The chuck did not look "special".
The lathe has a KDK toolpost and a few holders. Not sure how many holders total. There may be a steady rest in the package (have to confirm).
The carriage felt good with less backlash than another HLV I had operated for a while at a prototyping shop I worked at briefly. The torque needed to turn the wheel was reasonably consistent from end to end of the bed. The X axis slide felt good with minimal backlash.
Cosmetics: it's not a super-clean machine. There is paint wear on the top of the headstock and tailstock (but not down to metal). There is worn paint on the chip tray. It has the shaper corners on the chip tray which I'm told means it's a newer machine.
The machine is local and my transport costs would be low.
Although this is a unique opportunity, regrettably I'm not in a great position financially to make a deal happen. However I know that opportunities in business don't come at convenient times. Also, having the ability to make my own threaded parts would be a big benefit to me.
I need some perspective of what would be a price that I'd be stupid to pass up, what would be reasonable (and whether it's worth the stretch), and at what point I need to let it go as being price too high. "Too high" in this case the price at which I could readily find a lathe in similar condition in the future.
Thanks in advance for your input.