WTB Brother Speedio S500

jessehell · Mar 11, 2021

First post but after reading many threads I am looking to purchase a used S300/500/700 Speedio based on the recommendations here. Unit is for a machining & design start up. I did get new pricing from my regional Yamazen but it appears the prices on these units have went up compared to previous posts and remarks on the forum. New prices I received would over extend my capitol when optioned so I am looking for used alternatives. East Coast preferred.
Cheers
Jesse

upthebikes · Mar 12, 2021

There’s a user on here with several brothers which could be available for sale as a product line has slowed down. I forget their username, but I do remember they are from Akron, OH. Maybe they will chime in? Or a local site search from google here on PM for “brother akron” might turn it up.

BROTHERFRANK · Mar 12, 2021

upthebikes said:
There’s a user on here with several brothers which could be available for sale as a product line has slowed down. I forget their username, but I do remember they are from Akron, OH. Maybe they will chime in?

The gentleman that was selling the Speedios was/is Comatose. Not sure if he still has one available. Here are my thoughts, I don't think you will find any used S300, those were only stocked relatively recently. Used S500 machines will likely be the basic 14 tool, 10k rpm non-cts machines. S700s should be more common and with a variety of configurations. A nice TC-S2D or TC-S2D-O (O is 700 size) would also be a great choice. What is your budget and what features/specification are must haves for you?

jessehell · Mar 12, 2021

I did reach out to comatose a couple days ago after catching another thread on here. I haven't heard anything back yet. They may be sold.
Budget would ideally be sub 60k. I've started to look at the tc series just on availability alone and they seem adequate. My other option was a new haas mini mill.
Feature wise, I do not NEED really anything but 4th axis is on my short list of things I could make good use of.
In the new purchase realm, it was made to seem to me that s500 is being phased out and they only have a few units left. That further drives new price point up if an s700 becomes the base

BROTHERFRANK · Mar 12, 2021

S500X2 are new and nowhere near bring phased out. That is a core product. It is stocked in the USA as a 14 Tool 10k rpm or 21 Tool 16k rpm coolant through spindle interface (CTSI Yamazen nomenclature) configuration. A new 14 tool machine is very close to your $60k price point sans 4th axis. Those can be added easily in the field anytime. Are you working directly with Yamazen?

jessehell · Mar 12, 2021

I PM'd you brotherfrank due to pricing details. But yes, directly with yamazen.

LOTT · Mar 12, 2021

There aren't a lot of used Speedios available, people seem to keep them. I think the S500's are awesome machines and as long as our products fit the the Brother envelope I have no intentions of getting anything else.

That said, the base price has gone up, and if $60k is your budget it's going to be tough to buy the machine and tool up.

Where are you in the start up phase? If things go south, a Haas MiniMill will loose very little value, and only cost half as much to start with. The darn things are like Toyota Tacomas in resale for whatever reason.

But if things take off and you're selling widgets like hotcakes you want the Speedio for sure. Even the "base" 14 tool/10K machine is wicked fast.

Houndogforever · Aug 18, 2021

After having a dead Fadal today, I'm sure wishing I could just buy up a S500 10K 14tool.
Financially it doesn't work now, but if wanting was cash, I'd be there.

Comatose · Aug 25, 2021

I'm thinking of selling one more of my fleet of Speedios (had 7, down to 5, e-cigarette industry just gets sadder and sadder, now with extra FDA flavor and an electronics component shortage) if you're still in the market. The one I'd sell has a brinelled spot on the Y axis rail from when it got moved some years ago, but a new rail would only be a couple grand tops. It still works fine but it sounds pretty rough when it moves past it in full rapids, so I've left it turned down to 4 and use it as my R&D machine. Couple grand to fix up properly for full speed production. PM if interested. It's a 16k 14 tool S500X1.

Laurentian · Aug 25, 2021

Geez man, did they slam it down or it slipped off a skate ? How did the boards and other electronics take it ? Anyhow it all repairable, sounds like a good deal, what year is it ? If it were a 24K I'd be looking at it for sure.

cosmos_275 · Aug 25, 2021

LOTT said:
Even the "base" 14 tool/10K machine is wicked fast.

I'm pretty sure the 14 tool is faster than the 21

mkd · Aug 25, 2021

I so want to be a fan. These videos aren't helping :sleepy:

slow inn aluminum^^^

vs
hard tool steel below

BROTHERFRANK · Aug 25, 2021

mkd said:
I so want to be a fan. These videos aren't helping
slow inn aluminum^^^

vs
hard tool steel below

I couldn't agree more! The new videos are not good. Putting it nicely.
This one is better imo:
https://youtu.be/8tliDUlST_o

Or these:
https://youtu.be/P77PmdHzeOU

https://youtu.be/w6a7pYT_RQc

https://youtu.be/ndVS22ZbqmE

https://youtu.be/G8byzRQPn9s

I am not sure who is making the new videos, but I am not impressed. I asked Yamazen marketing folks to please talk to Brother. The X2 looks slower than a X1 and it is definitely faster! Boring machining too. I've said it before, Brother builds great products but they could never be convicted of being great marketers.

LOTT · Aug 26, 2021

CosmosK said:
I'm pretty sure the 14 tool is faster than the 21

Maybe a fraction of a second tool to tool, but I was refering to the spindle speed.

mkd · Aug 27, 2021

BROTHERFRANK said:
I couldn't agree more! The new videos are not good. Putting it nicely.
This one is better imo:
https://youtu.be/8tliDUlST_o

Or these:
https://youtu.be/P77PmdHzeOU

https://youtu.be/w6a7pYT_RQc

https://youtu.be/ndVS22ZbqmE

https://youtu.be/G8byzRQPn9s

I am not sure who is making the new videos, but I am not impressed. I asked Yamazen marketing folks to please talk to Brother. The X2 looks slower than a X1 and it is definitely faster! Boring machining too. I've said it before, Brother builds great products but they could never be convicted of being great marketers.

Holy smokes!!!

cosmos_275 · Aug 29, 2021

This one is my favorite

[brother]S500X1 Machining example (Aluminum) - YouTube

plastikdreams · Aug 29, 2021

Ok let's see I'd do a bunch of 6-32 threads...I hate those taps.

BROTHERFRANK · Aug 29, 2021

plastikdreams said:
Ok let's see I'd do a bunch of 6-32 threads...I hate those taps.

Did it. No sweat at 6000 rpm (good quality 6061).

Tapped 100 6-32 blind holes in 90 seconds. Drilled .650" deep, cut tap .500" full thread with Guhring black ring with molyglide tap. Potential client was running VF machines and wanted to see this test. Was considering a Brother S700. We ran it on a R650 pallet machine and when he saw that run ordered the R650.

This 10"x7"x1.25" part ran in 4 minutes flat with 7 tools and 58 0-80 tapped holes:

WTB Brother Speedio S500

Plastic

Cast Iron

Stainless

Plastic

Stainless

Plastic

Stainless

Hot Rolled

Titanium

Stainless

Hot Rolled

Stainless

Stainless

Stainless

Stainless

Hot Rolled

Diamond

Stainless

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