torq-cut purchase. questions

[zane]

Hello to everyone here. I am in the process of purchasing a torq-cut 22 VMC. This will be my first commercial machine, graduating from a round-column I converted myself. The machine I am getting was used mostly for cutting lead of all things for x-ray equipment. Its been sitting for a while since the operator quit and the company owner didn't know how to use it (the reason I am getting a good deal!) I was able to figure out the controls enough to move the axis' and turn the spindle. I does need a good bath though and I would like to wash out the lead chips. Anyone see any problems with power washing inside with a spray down of oil afterwards? Also does anyone know if tapping is a standard option on these machines? And finally, has anyone used a Midaco pallet system. It has a series 20 mounted to it that I'm pretty excited about.

Thanks

[machintek]

Rigid tapping not standard. It believe it was a option. When I get a chance I will verify that.
Pressure washing OK but watch out for X axis motor. Oil the linear ways afterward.
Pallet system = $$. Seen it installed on a VMC1000 but not a TC-22. Took some control modifications to accomplish. Makes your machine unique. Hope you get schematics, etc. And back up your hard drive!

George

[zane]

Thanks for the reply. I am expecting a steeper learning curve than when I converted my first mill and had to learn mach3, g-code,cad, cam all at the same time. I don't have the luxury to with this mill to do it as I have time. It will have to be making a return on the investment in short order. Especially since my wife is at a girls camp and I can't even call her to talk to her about such a large purchase. I'm not waiting and letting it slip away though.

Is the x-axis motor not totally coolant proofed then? Does anyone know a paint code that matches? If I'm going to clean it out I might at well freshen it up before I start making messes in it again.

He says he has all the manuals to the mill but don't know about the pallet system. It is a manual pallet system with an air operated hold down. I think all it will take is to move the table to the front of the machine with the table about centered. The pallet shuttle can be lined up manually. You then push two buttons to release the pallet which slides to out the door onto the shuttle that takes it to one side of the machine. The shuttle on the other side of the machine is then manually slid in front of the door and the pallet is slid onto the table. I'll have to manually change pallets but I can still see a huge increase in productivity. Even just pulling the pallet all the way out of the cabinate to change out parts then sliding it back in will be nice. Right now he has a Kurt vice on one pallet that I get with the machine. I'll probably mount a second vice on it and leave it that way. Just the pallet system costs more that what I am paying for everything including tooling. It makes me giddy with excitement to get it into my shop!

[zane]

I've been reading though the manuals he gave me and it does list rigid tapping as standard. I'll be picking it up on Thursday. I'm only moving it about 15 miles so I plan on renting a hydra lift trailer that lowers the bed flat onto the ground. Problem is that the trailer is about 3 inches too narrow. How hard is it to remove either the electrical panel or the encloser? If I can make the trailer work it will save me tons on a rigger.

When I went to pick up the manuals, he had already disconnected the power with the head all the way up in the air. It won't take long to hook it back up, I just hope that it boots up so I can lower the head and back up the hard drive.

Thanks