Need suggestions for a Swiss lathe.

[gcodeguy]

It seems we will be getting a Swiss lathe (20mm spindle) for fabricating small studs requiring J threads. Threads are required to be thread rolled. I have zero experience with Swiss lathes. My fellow programmer said he didn't think thread rolling was a good application for a Swiss lathe. Be as that may, it seems one is in our future for that purpose. No idea if a C-axis is going to be one of the options, but we do cross drill on our T42 Conquest which isn't C-axis, but uses B-axis to control circumference location.

Many of the studs from 5/16 on up also get drilled in the front. I would like to see high pressure coolant used because I have been told it improves tool life, and I know it is a help with drilling especially for drills large enough to have coolant thru.

Any information would be a help so I can get an idea of what a Swiss lathe is capable of today. Haven't seen one since I went to the Chicago show about 25-26 years ago.

Thanks.

 

[evansmachine]

It seems we will be getting a Swiss lathe (20mm spindle) for fabricating small studs requiring J threads. Threads are required to be thread rolled. I have zero experience with Swiss lathes. My fellow programmer said he didn't think thread rolling was a good application for a Swiss lathe. Be as that may, it seems one is in our future for that purpose. No idea if a C-axis is going to be one of the options, but we do cross drill on our T42 Conquest which isn't C-axis, but uses B-axis to control circumference location.

Many of the studs from 5/16 on up also get drilled in the front. I would like to see high pressure coolant used because I have been told it improves tool life, and I know it is a help with drilling especially for drills large enough to have coolant thru.

Any information would be a help so I can get an idea of what a Swiss lathe is capable of today. Haven't seen one since I went to the Chicago show about 25-26 years ago.

Thanks.

The most important thing you want to look for (besides a good machine) is support. I bought a 20mm citizen last year (a20) with a bunch of options. It is an awesome machine but it would suck if citizen didn't have such good support. When I bought it I looked at Hanwah Citizen and Star. Already had a tornos (read swiss machine made in switzerland) and I knew to run from them. Hanwah would have been my second choice but it was a one man band that was selling them and I was worried about support.

One thing I would look for if buying again is more live tools. I have 4 radial on the front and 4 axial on the back, seems like a few but I am always one or 2 short. Might not be a problem for you though.

Also, if you are going to buy a machine like this make sure you get the bar loader to match, otherwise what is the point.

Good Luck in your search

 

[MK Proto]

I would take a look at the New Tornos ST26, Fully loaded 1" bar machine, full power sub spindle, bar feed, different packages priced from $150k-$180k.

 

[gcodeguy]

Barfeed is a given. Didn't know it, but the owner already had a used lathe in mind. We went to look at it this morning. Don't think he will get it as it is a '98, has run 2 shifts daily, lots of paint missing, but more importantly a fair amount of rust as well. So although running 2 shifts when replaced by a brand new machine, I don't think the owner feels that it would be worth the investment financially. He will be looking at something newer, but doubt our first one will be a brand new lathe. Too bad. I like the smell of fresh paint. Sounded like he is considering more Swiss lathes after we get our feet wet so I would imagine a new one or more will be in our future. Many of our current lathes are getting long in the tooth.

 

[evansmachine]

Barfeed is a given. Didn't know it, but the owner already had a used lathe in mind. We went to look at it this morning. Don't think he will get it as it is a '98, has run 2 shifts daily, lots of paint missing, but more importantly a fair amount of rust as well. So although running 2 shifts when replaced by a brand new machine, I don't think the owner feels that it would be worth the investment financially. He will be looking at something newer, but doubt our first one will be a brand new lathe. Too bad. I like the smell of fresh paint. Sounded like he is considering more Swiss lathes after we get our feet wet so I would imagine a new one or more will be in our future. Many of our current lathes are getting long in the tooth.

RUN from tornos! They want money just to support you! You have to deal with fucked up accents and the smell of fish all the time. I made the mistake of buying a tornos for my first swiss and... it sucked.
IIRC a new a20 runs around $125k

Dan

 

[Ox]

The smell of fish?

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I am Ox and I have a Tornos that doesn't smell like anything but cutting oil - which I can barely smell anyway...

 

[Tonytn36]

Tsugami is well respected for swiss machines. Dan Murphy at REM Sales (SwissPro on PM) can give you the lowdown.

 

[gcodeguy]

I agree that support is important. I will try to find a post by SwissPro so I can PM him. Thanks, Tony.

 

[Ox]

You may need to E-mail him.

I haven't seen him post hardly at all since biziness got busy a yr and a half ago.


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I am Ox and I approve this h'yah post!

 

[Tonytn36]

Yea, I talked to him at IMTS and he said he hasn't had much time for posting, been on the road most of the time.

 

[MikeMc]

Barfeed is a given. Didn't know it, but the owner already had a used lathe in mind. We went to look at it this morning. Don't think he will get it as it is a '98, has run 2 shifts daily, lots of paint missing, but more importantly a fair amount of rust as well. So although running 2 shifts when replaced by a brand new machine, I don't think the owner feels that it would be worth the investment financially. He will be looking at something newer, but doubt our first one will be a brand new lathe. Too bad. I like the smell of fresh paint. Sounded like he is considering more Swiss lathes after we get our feet wet so I would imagine a new one or more will be in our future. Many of our current lathes are getting long in the tooth.

If you get an old, rusty, worn out Swiss Lathe, there is a 50-50 chance your boss will never buy another one, and he will get pissed at you because you can't get it to work. I would look at a used machine with low hours, if a new one is out of the question. I have 6 Citizens and I love them all, oldest is a '99 and the newest is a 2011. I had two Stars and I hated them both of them, the factory guys just couldn't get them to work right for some reason. So support is very important. Even though I get great support from Citizen, I am not sure how they would react if I had not bought new first from them.

 

[TRRINO]

We have over 50 citizens-some 1991 models--e16s a lot of L20
The Es have the hours maxed out-been rebuilt a few times but still as accurate as new.
Great support too.
TRRINO.