I am a big fan of the japanese machines. My moto is the controller is 50 to 75% (depending on the end use) of the machine. I usually try to buy machiens with Fanuc, Yasnak (sic), or Mits as they tend to have a reputation to run. The Mits is the weakest of the three in my experience.
I am not a Fadal fan mostly because of the PC based control.
I would not buy a machine based solely on mass. I would look at the spindle taper and build, frame design, and axis layout. I would avoid a machine with more than one ballscrew per axis. I would look at boxed ways for beefy stable cutting.
Hope this helps |