I am thinking about shop expansion, and would like to chat with and/or visit a Sharp VMC owner to get a feel for this brands reputation and quirks. I have read every post in the Sharp forum on this board, and have visited the Sharp website. Something like the 2412 or perhaps one size larger is what I am contemplating.

I am in Southern New Hampshire, close to Salem.

Thanks,

Spencer

I'm not close to you butI'm very satisfied with mine.

PBMW,

Thanks for the reply. I have actually arranged a visit with a shop that has Sharp sitting next to a Haas. Two brands I am interested in learning more about.

How would you characterize the difference between the brands on a size-for-size basis?

I also have a pair of Haas'
I have a mini and my little Sharp. I also have an Akira Seiki 4020
The Haas does just fine on a lot of stuff but the sharp will machine rings around it. It will remove material 4 or 5 times as fast. Bigger, deeper faster cuts.
I have a job of 316ss The Haas really flaps it's skirts at that. The Sharp takes it in stride. I machine 4340 on the sharp at 1000sfm, and .004 ipt. that's at .375 doc and .350 radial. This thing is a little tractor.
I know a couple guys that have VF2's that are amazed at it.
I did an alum part on it. 3/4 three flute, 10k rpm. .6 deep and .7 radial at 250 ipm
Ate it up...

I'm liking what I'm hearing.

Where is the Sharp's weakness?

I honestly haven't found any
It's very relaible, it's strong, it's box ways, it's got a Fanuc on it. I like the chip flushers, the chip conveyer has an air blow on it to clean chips off so they aren't recirculated back into the coolant tank. It's easy to clean,
It's a nice stout little machine.