Problem- I'm in need of a baby Fadal

[widgits]

It has come to be that I was hired as the only machinist in a R&D medical
facility.
After studying the type of parts this place needs machined that a newer
CNC mill is a must.
What they had when I got here was an old Bridgeport with a
1984 Bendix Dynapath series 10 controller, what a POS!!!
Management is in agreement that a new milling machine is a must
Fadals have always treated me well for the past 25 years
The first one I fired up was serial #53, some of you might remember the old
Blue/Gray beast with a 16 pocket toolchanger and it would only hold
one program at 1000 blocks in file size, big stuff back then.

But now I want just a baby Fadal and come to find out that they
don't make one anymore.
Running smaller sized carbide tooling dictates that it has a spindle
that goes above the OSHA standard of 4K as found on the
TRM (Tool Room Mill) open machine. (Beside who wants to cleanup
after that mess.)

I believe that most of the older style smaller CNC88HS VMC machines
like the VMC 15, 15XT and 20 series have all been rode hard and put
away wet and cold (ie: driven hard and as such someone is getting rid
of these for a reason, probably maintenance issues, if it worked well why
get rid of it?)

I found a few EMC series machines also, but these have driven hard also.
When I finally do find a machine in decent shape it's gone before I
get there.

Don't bother asking about a remanufactured machine directly from Fadal.
Hell I cant even get a live person on the phone.
If you look up a number for anyone listed on the webpage in sales
chances are you will get a message recording.
I called my local northern California dealer, Yeah right, still have yet after
2 weeks to get any pricing.

Gee, Do I have to wonder why the Chinese and Koreans are kicking our asses in the machine tool business.
Let alone everywhere else.

So whats left?

I can't even get a price on a new machine from these guys.

Is it time that I go down and sign the papers for a Haas mini mill?
Should I go support a tax evader and his Nascar team?

What the hell has happened to Fadal?
Used to be unsurpassed service.
Been running these machines for 25 years, now its my time to buy one
and I can't get the time of day from these guys.
Years ago if I had any questions or problems someone was always there.

Now that I want to buy a machine I cant even get pricing.

God I miss the old days when my companies money was the right shade of green.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Bobby may

[Geof]

Originally Posted by widgits ....Is it time that I go down and sign the papers for a Haas mini mill? Should I go support a tax evader and his Nascar team?......

I suppose that is one way of looking at it.

I think buying Haas is supporting a whole bunch of people who work in the Haas factory in Oxnard. Should they suffer because the head honcho is a stupid git.

[widgits]

I guess that its better than giving the monies overseas.
At least some clean cut American taxpayer is taking home
monies to help support his family and our economy.

Good point
Any other suggestions?
Thanks
Bobby

[carbidecraters]

Check ebay for a mid nineties 3016 and never look back

[Geof]

Haas Super MiniMill with the 4" lift to the Z axis.

[fourperf]

I have to say from my experience (having owned a vmc 15 and a trm) and I have a haas vf2 (and sold the fadals) there is no comparison between the two. The haas is so much more machine the control is amazing and with the probe setup is so quick as far as work offsets and tlo. I was thinking about a 2216 fx before I bought my haas and I too got no returned call from fadal. I could never get a live person when I called. I ended up going with the haas and am so pleased I did.

Mark

[ltmquik]

As with fourperf and yourself, I was an avid Fadal supporter. The older machines were pretty good for the money. Since Frank, Able, David, and the other two sold the company I have not seen any reliable equipment from Fadal. While I have two (2) older machines (2000 and 2001), I am buying other manufactures machines. And since I am an American I choose to purchase American.

My opinion is this. You can find a used Fadal in decent shape for a good price. You may get some hours on it, but it will fail, as with any equipment, and get loose. So you are really not any better off than you are now.

You can purchase a new Fadal with warranty and cross your fingers that your NEW machine will work.

You can purchase other manufactures machines that have reliable equipment. In this department you have foreign or domestic.

[WORKALONE]

I have good luck with Wesco 1-626-357-8000. Neno or Chris.

[HAILINHAAS]

There is going to be a new Mini Mill model at Westec with more travel and a sidemount tool changer 24 +1

[PBMW]

For the same money or less, have a serious look at a Fanuc Robodrill. BT tooling so I'd not be using much larger than a half inch endmill. But 20k spindle nad VERY fast machine. Way more machine than a Haas mini. I can talk...I own one.
Not a bad little machine once you realize it's limitations. Not very rigid. BNot much spindle and no power. But other than that a nice little machine. There are better choices out there.

[JDenyer232]

Originally Posted by PBMW For the same money or less, have a serious look at a Fanuc Robodrill. BT tooling so I'd not be using much larger than a half inch endmill. But 20k spindle nad VERY fast machine. Way more machine than a Haas mini. I can talk...I own one. Not a bad little machine once you realize it's limitations. Not very rigid. BNot much spindle and no power. But other than that a nice little machine. There are better choices out there.

I agree, we own a Robodrill Mate, it's a small bt 30 taper machine with a 10k spindle. We do some pretty large parts with big deep pockets in them, has worked perfect for over a year now. Like PBMW said it's not a really powerful spindle, and using linear guide ways it's not real rigid so your not gonna be able to take really deep cuts at high feed rates, but for small volume stuff and prototyping you just can't beat it.