[Balanceguy]

Hi-
I don't know if you have bought anything yet, but here's my $.02!

I bought a Torq-cut 22 brand new in May of 1997. It was (and is) my first VMC. Before purchasing I spoke with Fadal and Haas. I am a vendor to both of the latter, so they had a leg up. I ended up with the Bridgeport for a variety of reasons that aren't really relevent here.

I use the machine to make a number of parts, the heaviest of which are 1.25" thick 1018 that I bore 1.25" +.002 -.000 holes in, and get an 8-12 rms finish. I do quite a few pieces of 1.5" 1018 that I mill slots in, lots of aluminum, etc. When I'm carving on something heavy, I slow it down a little.

My machine has performed flawlessly from day one. I'm not a machinist, I'm a dummy, but I hold .0005" all day long on this thing. We're not a high volume company (500 pcs is a huge run for us), but it has done everything I have ever asked it to do. I guess it's not as honkin' fast as the bigger machines out there, but for a baby VMC, it is fine, It's the best thing I ever bought ( I also have a Mori SL lathe, and some manual machines).

I'm a little concerned about parts support eventually, though I have had the machine serviced by Hardinge, and they have assured me that it's not a problem. I'm not completely comfortable owning an orphan, but it's been a great machine.

G'luck!
Mark