Originally Posted by scadvice  If they were close to the same year and condition, I would say the Mazak everytime. However, given the age of the machines I'm not sure in this case. BTY - I've owned both and currently own a 1996 Fadal 15xt with 4th axis.
If I had had the choice of both in the same condition and year the Mazak would win hands down. It's like apples and oranges, they are not the same class of machine.
I have to leave for an event right now, but will post more when I come back. I try to help with suggestions as to what would prompt me to buy one or the other. 
Steve |
Fadal’s are very easy to work on and they use parts available just about anywhere. There is a lot of support out there also. They are a considered a light machine and not as heavy duty as a Mazak. As I have said before, I have had both machines. I never really have had much problem with either of them. But I have always maintained and serviced them also and I bought all but one new.
The spindles should be quite, no rumbling or howling when the axes are moved. If they are coming from a dealer, there should be some kind of warranty.
Service in your area is very important if you’re not going to work on the machine yourself.
Are parts available for both? The Mazak is getting up there in years, are parts still around? I know they are for the Fadal since I’ve just about finished rebuilding the same Fadal and year you’re looking at.
If you are use to G-code programming see if the M2 control is g code or conversational my machine was a 1989 Mazak and it was mostly conversational programming with some G-codes usable. In fact you could mix the G-codes with the conversational, which was handy sometimes.
Wear and hours on the machines are your biggest concern, next to service and that the machine was not beat. Look for indications of crashes. Read as much as you can about them on the cnczone web site, which will help give you things to look for. It can also help you identify a minor problem vs a major. Don’t buy right away spend a week or two thinking and investigating. Oh ya, read all the zone post about buying machines. They don’t have to even be a Fadal or Mazak, there are common minor and major problems with any machine brands.
As I said if they were the same size and year machines I would be inclined toward the Mazak, but because of its age compared the Fadal… I just don’t know… 14 yrs is a long time.
I think you need to have both demo’d to you. I know a test part to cut that can tell you a lot about a machine’s condition. Let me know and I’ll type up a description.
Steve
06-21-2009, 04:51 AM
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