Mill & Lathe purchasing advice

[Ajax-oz]

Hi all
I am looking at purchasing a Mill and Lathe for personal and Business use. I service machinery so Mill and Lathe work is not my core business, will only be used every now and then for business.
I am after anyone’s advice on the following mills & lathes or please suggest a different one for me to look at.

Materials I will be mainly using

Stainless Steel (Need to mill now)
Mild steel
Bisalloy (Rarely used)
Brass
Various plastics

I may use some other materials but this will cover the range I would use now.

Equipment I am looking at.

Mill

HM-45

HM45 details

SX3

SX3 Details

Lathe

AL-60

AL-60 Details

AL-320G

AL-320G Details

AL-300
Sorry couldn’t find a link
Main differences compared to the AL-320 are

1.5Hp motor
Quick change feed gearbox
Threaded spindle nose
Better metric & imperial threading range

(Hafco don’t sell this one anymore.)

My thoughts are to purchase the HM-45 Mill and the AL-320G
Reasons are
The HM-45 seems to be the best choice before getting into the knee mill range. Knee mills are too big for now. I don’t have the space.

The AL-320G Lathe as it seems to be a better choice for what is available. I think I would prefer the AL-300 (even though it was $700 more in 2006 HAFCO catalog)
But I don’t know where I could see one to compare or purchase from as HAFCO don't sell them anymore.

I can’t go bigger in size for the Lathe do to space issues. There for 600mm between centres is max. I could get a way with 300mm between centres if I wanted to, but I don’t think that would be wise choice for me.

Please let me know what you think, known issues with any of the models or If there is another model you think I should look at.

Including suppliers in South Australia of mills and lathes, I only know of Melb suppliers.

Thanks
AJ

[Palerider]

If I needed a mill or lathe to use on occasion I would look for good used equipment in or around your area.

Do yourself a favor if you can (not sure of your market size or depth,)
find a used Bridgeport, Lagun, ProMax (Taiwan,) Acer, or Kent (UK Made) Mill. it will make your life much easier in Stainless. Lathes: Mori Seki, Hardindge, Clausing, Cadillac, Victor (Engine Lathe Only).

If you have access to buy these used I would put hem over the newer lighter duty machines you are considering, for ease of use and years of dependable service.

[Ajax-oz]

Hi Palerider
Thanks for your reply
Unfortunately the Australian market is small for second hand mills and lathes and with what I know anyone that has the equipment you listed keeps it, rare to see one on the market.

I would love to have a Bridgeport but the ones I have seen are 3phase, I only have access to singe phase power. I don't want to be modifying it.

I also have a space issue, most of those mills are to tall for the garage and the weight is an issue for moving them ( I rent so moving house is very possible.)

The other one is the price
With ones I have seen the price is out of my market, maybe one day I will be able to purchase one and set up a very good workshop.

AJ

[Palerider]

Seems like maybe a business could be made of importing metalworking machines
to you shores. Lots of sites selling used equipment, not sure about the shipping though. No 3 Phase? Rotary phase converter works fine for the class of equipment you're looking towards.