I used to work at a shop that refurbishes aircraft turbine engines. They are a big shop and have lots of machines. My biz partner (who also worked there and is friends with most of the managers) was there and saw they had an Okuma LC40 sitting in the back of the shop. It's not really "for sale" they just want to get it out of there and have no idea what it's worth. I said I'm interested and they said make an offer, because they just want it out of there. I think I can pick it up for between $1-2k because we're friends with these guys and the shop is owned by a large corporation and they just want it outta there, its off the books and nobody is looking to make money on it, just get something so it doesnt look like they gave it away free.

The machine has full maintenance records, and was last serviced/repaired in 1998 (they kept up with preventive maintainence and replaced all broken/worn parts). Its been sitting unused for 2 years and they said (and I know its true) they put it in storage because they had 2 of them, and the jobs they were running on them dried up, so one went into storage, but after 2 years they would rather have the room and don't think they will be using it again.

I have a few questions, if anyone can answer any of 'em I'd apprecaite it.

First, anyone can tell me anything about this lathe? Is it a good machine? Any known problems with these guys?

Second, what power does it run on? I have 240V 3-phase in my shop, but does it require 480V or something? What size breaker would I need? Its got a 60hp motor from what I found reading specs online. Anyone know what the air requirements are? If it requires anything besides air/power/coolant (like lube). Does it even require air (I guess yet but could be wrong)

Third, what would a fair market value on the machine be? I know I can get it dirt cheap, but if street price would be $5k, I wouldn't want to offer $5k for it :)

Fourth, specs say it weighs 25,000lbs. Their shop has a loading dock as does my shop. Its about a 20 minute drive from my shop to theirs, so can anyone give a total ballpark on what I might be looking at for rigging to get the machine to my shop? I know it depends on lots of factors, but I don't know if $500 is likely or $5,000 is more likely. No major issues with moving the machine, going from first floor near the dock to another first floor near the dock. Just looking for speculation/estimates/guesses on what I might be paying?

Fifth, its listed as having a 12 tool station on an upper turret and 8 tools on a lower. I didnt notice a lower, but I wasnt looking that close. Its also called a "4 axis", do they mean it moves in 2 axes on each turret? I don't believe it has any sort of live tooling.

Any other comments are welcome!

Thanks
Mike

An LC40 is as good as it gets. Fantastic machine.

4-axis means you can program the two turrets independently - both can be cutting at the same time if you want, or one at a time - it's up to you. You control how the turrets synchronize their moves with program P codes.

This opens up a whole world of possibilities. Both can turn at the same time. One can turn while the other bores. One can turn while the other faces. One can act as a steady rest while the other turns. One can be positioned to start cutting the instant the other finishes. And so on.

Of course, the workpiece and your tooling will dictate what you can and can't do with 4-axis, but it can get pretty exciting.

I would think if they are not putting it out for tender or bids you can probablly get if for 'scrap' price as they are probabally just going to write it off. Also was it running OK when they stored it, Does it have a Fanuc 0 or 6T on it?
You may be able to run on 240 as the spindle probablly has Variable speed drive which often stepped down to 240 anyway. you would need a 200amp breaker at least.
A quick call to any rigger in you area should get you a ball park price for moving, I would say if they can load it on, it should be no more than $800
Al.

We have 2 okuma LC 15's. Nice lathes. Ours also has two independant turrets. Ours run on 220, 3 phase, 40 amps.

Eric

I work in a machine shop in Texas, where we have 2 lc-40's. They were both rebuilt to like new condition, sort of but we (the company) paid thirty thousand a piece for them. They are very good heavy duty machines, especialy if they have the milling attachments in the turrett heads. i believe they are 480 volt, the air does not have to be connected to the machine however you might want to connect it anyways because it gives you another
chucking option. The programing is fairly simple, yes 4 axis means both upper and lower turretts move in both X and Z axis and cappable of doing so at the same time. this is an extremely capable machine and add indexable inserted tooling you got a winner, if you have any more questions ask me i run one on a fairly regular basis, i just run some CA6nm on one two hours before I wrote this post, by the way I am an eleven year CNC vetran.