Wanted: used VMC

Hello, I have been using a tormach for about a year now and I want to updrade to an actual VMC. The only problem is my budget. I live in Utah and the used machinery market sucks here. I assume I will have to buy a haas or Fadal. I don’t want to go too old but I know I can’t get “just a few years old”.

Does anyone have advice where I should buy from?

Try posting a rough budget. There are plenty of machines for sale. The question is do you have the money? For less than $5k you can have a real machine shipped in from anywhere.

My budget is $20k. I’m hopping I can get it a state or two over so the shipping and rigging cost can stay as low as possible. Right now I’m looking at a 2002 Fadal 4020 on eBay that they are asking 16k for

What do you have for power at your shop?

You don't mention how much experience you have with knowing if a used machine is good or not. I'd suggest you look for a good used dealer, you will pay a bit more, but I think you'll get a little bit more of a guarantee behind your purchase. Not a huge warranty, but just like a car, if you buy from an individual, it's whatever you get, from a used lot, they usually at least guarantee it works when it leaves the shop and you can see it under power.

Power, space and floor integrity would be what I would think about most. I was looking into a Doosan in my garage, but have determined I'd be better off with a smaller drill/tap machine for my application and especially in my garage.

SLC does look like a pretty dull market on craigslist, usually dealers advertise there, so I'd probably look at driving to Vegas or somewhere to meet a dealer if I was you.

Fadal

Jesse_92683 said:

Hello, I have been using a tormach for about a year now and I want to updrade to an actual VMC. The only problem is my budget. I live in Utah and the used machinery market sucks here. I assume I will have to buy a haas or Fadal. I don’t want to go too old but I know I can’t get “just a few years old”.

Does anyone have advice where I should buy from?

Click to expand...

Hello,
are you still interested in buying a VMC? if so contact me on sharigoz64(at)gmail.com I have something for you.

I’m moving into my shop next week but the previous owner says it is wired with a 100 amp sub box with single phase. I know I’ll have to get a rotary phase converter.

I’m a younger (5-6 years or real experience) engineer. I know to look for obvious wear and was going to check any used machine I buy for lost motion in all 3 axis. Besides that, I don’t really know what to check for. My new garage is 2000 ft2 so space is not that big of a deal and the concrete is significantly thick enough that I’m not worried about that. I am a little concerned that power might be an issue for more than 1 machine but I think the 100 amp sub panel should be okay for now

Jesse_92683

If you're still looking for a machine, just wanted to mention my recent post re: Fadals

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...anted/fadals-sale-northern-california-354655/

Last I looked, Nevada is the only state between us Thanks.

Fred

I have 2 Brother S2D for sale but a little higher than your budget. I'm asking $33k each
14 tools
10k rpm
Blum Z nano probe
Can run on 30 amp breaker no problem
Compact Floor space
Big memory for 3d programs