My Logan 10" has served me well but I've decided that the time has come to get a better lathe. The Deckel/Euro-mill group here has a lot of experience and good taste in machine tools, so I'd like your advice about specific lathe models to look for. Here's what I have in mind:
- Price (presumably used, in very good condition) under 10k Euros including 3 and 4 jaw chuck, steady, follower, DRO
- Center height at least 150mm = 6"
- Center-to-center length of at least 600mm = 24"
- "Toolroom" precision (~1 ton)
- Spindle bore at least 35mm = 1 3/8", capable of holding 5C collets in nose
- Spindle camlock or DIN 55022/55027 or similar, not threaded
- Spindle bearings and gearing lubricated via oil bath/pump system
- Speeds up to 2000 rpm (2500 or 3000 would be better)
- Flame- or induction-hardened bed
- Long enough compound to cut standard 40 and morse tapers or available taper attachment
- Powerful enough (at least 3hp/2kW) to cut down steel rapidly and smooth/massive enough to get fine finishes
- Can cut both standard inch AND standard metric threads via gearbox shifters, without adding/swapping change gears
- Vary speed via gearbox and back-gear shifters or continuous variable pulley system, not by swapping belts on pulleys
- Nice operating "feel"
- Integrated coolant collection and pump
- Automatic or one-shot lubrication system for the ways
Nice to have:
- Designed to mount 3-axis DRO (ie, including compound)
- Parts easily available in Germany either from manufacturer or from a large base of machines circulating on ebay and similar
- Operates from standard German 400V 50Hz 3-phase power.
Is there anything out there that satisfies all of these requirements?
Moderators: I'd understand if you want to move this thread to another forum, but I was really hoping to hear from people here that I know and trust.
Cheers,
Bruce
