Hello, I have been a reader for a while. Now I registered and am taking the plunge to become a VMC owner. Being pretty new to machining, I currently have a Knee mill with an Anilam controler, I really do not know even the proper questions to ask. I am planning to run my own products on this machine. I have been farming out my parts for 7 years. My pieces are all aluminum. We are +/- the inside of a Cheerio if you know what I mean. I have looked at Hurco, Haas, and Fadal as these appear to be in my price range. There is a 2005 Fadal 3016 that is as new. It is being retro-fitted with the "legacy" hardware as I was told the PC based hardware was not good. It has very few hours, electronics will be new. I think less then 250hrs on machine total. It has a chip auger, hand control, and I was told AC motors. Overall appears to be in as new condition. He is asking 30k. He will setup and test run the machine in my shop. So my simply questions are: is Fadal a reliable brand for low production of aluminum parts? Again not a machine for hire. Is this a good price? and I guess anything else you can add to educate me.
Fadal machines are meant for fast, light, high production. They turn high RPM's and eat aluminum like fat Albert eats whatever it is he eats. I have beat these machines to a pulp and over all they are very tough machines. I don't care for the control but that is immaterial to you. I think you will be happy with the Fadal but if the budget permits a Haas would be more flexible and rigid for the long haul. If your only doing aluminum then go Fadal but that is likely to change go for a bit more horsepower and flexibility.
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