Another PM member has a Riken RTM-2, a made-under license Japanese copy of the Deckel FP1, and I was seriously looking to buy it for a good while before ultimately deciding that I preferred a larger work envelope. Riken also made a licensed copy of the Deckel FP-2 (the RTM-3), starting in 1959, and they continued in production until the mid-to late 1980s as far as I can determine. Several months back I started looking for an RTM-3 in Japan. Even though I read and write in Japanese, it was not too easy dealing with Japanese used machinery dealers, who generally had no interest in dealing with foreigners, but in the end I prevailed and located a few promising machines. The first of these that I dug into was a 1985 model in pristine condition, out of a technical college, and seemingly well-optioned:
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I think this was the last iteration of these machines in Japan. Compared to the earlier ones I have looked at, the cast base is boxier and there is a bulkier electrical cabinet on the back. Compared to earlier models that the coolant pump switch has been moved off of the lever and placed next to the row of operating switches.
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As you can see, besides the vise, there is a slotting head, high speed head, dividing head, and circular table, along with a universal table.
This was looking pretty good at one point, but I discovered eventually that the accessories were not quite as a good as they looked, and several key components were missing from certain accessories. So I kept looking.
These machines can hardly be described as abundant in Japan, or anywhere else. As per Danny Vanvorn's thread on his RTM-2, not too many Riken seem to have made it to the US. I've come across examples in Russia, Ireland, Australia and Korea though.
I finally located this one not too far from Tokyo:
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This one is from 1978. A fine vintage I do believe. I take the intact bellows as a good general sign. And, it comes with an accessory cabinet:
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There's lots of stuff inside that cabinet.
It also has 2-axes with glass scales and a DRO
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5 pic limit reached, but it is a start. I'm thinking that FP-2 owners out there might see a lot of interesting details on the RTM-3 which differ, and if so I'd be interested in such observations.
I did the bank transfer today, and expect to receive this machine by the middle of April. So exciting!
I think this was the last iteration of these machines in Japan. Compared to the earlier ones I have looked at, the cast base is boxier and there is a bulkier electrical cabinet on the back. Compared to earlier models that the coolant pump switch has been moved off of the lever and placed next to the row of operating switches.
As you can see, besides the vise, there is a slotting head, high speed head, dividing head, and circular table, along with a universal table.
This was looking pretty good at one point, but I discovered eventually that the accessories were not quite as a good as they looked, and several key components were missing from certain accessories. So I kept looking.
These machines can hardly be described as abundant in Japan, or anywhere else. As per Danny Vanvorn's thread on his RTM-2, not too many Riken seem to have made it to the US. I've come across examples in Russia, Ireland, Australia and Korea though.
I finally located this one not too far from Tokyo:
This one is from 1978. A fine vintage I do believe. I take the intact bellows as a good general sign. And, it comes with an accessory cabinet:
There's lots of stuff inside that cabinet.
It also has 2-axes with glass scales and a DRO
5 pic limit reached, but it is a start. I'm thinking that FP-2 owners out there might see a lot of interesting details on the RTM-3 which differ, and if so I'd be interested in such observations.
I did the bank transfer today, and expect to receive this machine by the middle of April. So exciting!