Weiler Matador Manual:
Funny you should ask -
When the NBS got their new one, they set it out on the floor right next to my bench. The manual never made it out of the files in the office.
Our lathe was painted a nice blue-gray.
It is a straight forward engine lathe. We used DTE light and Vactra No.2 way oil. All of our Deckels and the other German machinery called for these lubricants, so that's what the Weiler got.
In a shop full of HLV-H's, the Weiler didn't go over so well, the German journeymen didn't even use it. It became for the most part, "my" lathe.
The biggest "drawback" was the handwheel collet closer.
The machine has a big heavy spindle and a powerful gear drive so despite it's small size we used it for mostly chuck work.
BTW the machine will go fast, but it really doesn't like it.
From my experience, I would rate the Matador right up there with the Monarch EE when doing small work in high alloy steel or stainless.
I am always fascinated and eager to work with any mew machine tool, however I find that the average American machinist takes some time getting used to the apron controls and tends to complain about them.
Our Weiler also had the DIN standard spindle nose and that was also complained about. I didn't mind at all beacuse we got all the goodies with the lathe.
The only thing I missed on the Wieler was the convienience features for screw threading that the Hardinge's and EE's had.
Giving credit where credit is due, my friend, Bobby cut some really whacked out 2 inch dia. coarse pitch buttress threads, internal as well as external, on that machine. The HLV-H's would never stand for that.
Nice lathe, Don.