Opinions: Takisawa model TC-3 CNC Turning Center an Fanuc 0-T

[mhansen]

Hey guys I have the opportunity to purchase a similar to the machine in the photo below. Machine is late 80's early 90s and I am just curious if anyone has ever used one or has an opinion on the old fanuc control on it (0T I believe)I'm just looking for a small machine for my home shop and maybe pick up a few side jobs if possible. I'm new to CNC lathes, but have experience on manual machines and haas controls. Appreciate the opinions and feed

 

[Antarctica]

Solid machines, solid control. I have a TC-2 with a 3T control, as does at least one other member here..

 

[DouglasJRizzo]

Decent machines. Takisawa still supports as does Fanuc.

 

[Dan from Oakland]

3T controls are very basic but at the same time very solid. All the usual Fanuc canned cycles should be there, wear offsets, work offsets- just depends on how the MTB configured it.

 

[RC Mech]

The iron is solid and well built. Control is decent, less user friendly than the Haas you’ve used but plenty powerful for a 2x lathe. No cheap buttons or beeps to feel like you’re programming a microwave.

I have a Takisawa TS15 w/Fanuc 6. Machine is seriously overbuilt for the swing/centre distance.

 

[CITIZEN F16]

Great machines I have one with an OT, if you buy it I can give you a lead on the best place for board repair/exchange
at the quickest turn around and lowest prices I have found. The only problems I have had with mine are related to the crappy power I have here. What is the asking price?

 

[CITIZEN F16]

The iron is solid and well built. Control is decent, less user friendly than the Haas you’ve used but plenty powerful for a 2x lathe. No cheap buttons or beeps to feel like you’re programming a microwave.

I have a Takisawa TS15 w/Fanuc 6. Machine is seriously overbuilt for the swing/centre distance.

I even filled the alarm speaker with silicone to shut it up, on mine.

 

[boosted]

I also have a TS15 / Fanuc 6. Agreed that those things are tiny little tanks!

Too bad about the 6T though. Mine would get used a lot more if it was just a bit more modern. I have a pretty good system to get things setup quickly on the old controller, but nobody else has any interest in touching a lathe without work offsets.

 

[CITIZEN F16]

I also have a TS15 / Fanuc 6. Agreed that those things are tiny little tanks!

Too bad about the 6T though. Mine would get used a lot more if it was just a bit more modern. I have a pretty good system to get things setup quickly on the old controller, but nobody else has any interest in touching a lathe without work offsets.

Try working on a Fanuc 3T without a CRT that has an LED with a half dozen or so digits, those were a blast.

 

[RC Mech]

^Like this one?

Fanuc 6TA off my old Mori Seiki. I'm spoiled now with the mis-aligned phosphorous CRT on the Takisawa

 

[CITIZEN F16]

^Like this one?

Fanuc 6TA off my old Mori Seiki. I'm spoiled now with the mis-aligned phosphorous CRT on the Takisawa

View attachment 345363

Yep, those were great fun. Programs loaded by tape reader, When I first got to run a machine that used RS-232 and had a CRT I thought I had died and went to heaven. I don't think any of the first machines I ever ran still survive.
Those were Citzen D10's the D series were hybrids between a cam Swiss and a CNC.

 

[CITIZEN F16]

RC Mech, do you still have the machine in the picture? If so when was it born? That control panel looks in great shape.

 

[RC Mech]

I sold the machine around 2016 or so, to another local shop I'm still in touch with. It was a 1980, around 42" centres. Was in really good shape- still in operation today.