Newbie- Buying used VMC. Which one?

[CNC Viking]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum which I found today. I spent hours reading all interesting threads. I am running a small business designing products and will now also start making prototypes and small series production off a medium sized VMC that I plan to buy soon.

At the moment I am looking at three machine options and would like to have your opinions which one to pick and equally important- which one I definitely should not pick. The same goes for the control system. I do not want a good machine with a crap control system.

1. Yang Eagle SMV 600 (Taiwan) w. Fanuc 0-MD control. Built 1998
X=600, Y=410, Z=510 Tool cone is BT 40

2. Feeler FV800 (Taiwan) w. Mitsubishi CNC 520 AM control. Built 1996
X=810, Y=450, Z=500 Tool cone is BT 40

3. Mazak V414 (Japan) w. Mazatrol M32 control. Built 1992
X=560, Y=410, Z=460 Tool cone is ISO 40

If you know which guide sytem they have (linear bearings or block guides?), please advise that too.

Regards,
Peter

[robclemson]

I have a friend who has 2 Yangs that he has run for about 10 years with good results. Actually, he is looking to sell them.

Many people tell me that Mazak is Japanese for Haas, but I have never run one. I live in Virginia and the service is very weak here.

I also know of a very nice 20 year old Okuma Howa that is on the market for about $15K.

What size are you looking for ?

[CNC Viking]

Hi Rob,

Can you tell me about the Yangs? Which control system are they running on? Size? Any problems with setting up/maintenance/mnuals etc? I am interested in the size(s) that I presented in my original message. Sorry, I cant buy a machine in the states. It would cost too much to bring it home to Sweden. Still looking for more info about these or similar VMC's. Any more info out there???

[robclemson]

Steven Rabinowitz / Glorian Corporation [steve@glorian.com]

The above email is to be added onto a used machine listing. He often has quite a few machines in Europe

[JNFSWE]

Hello,
I am also living in Sweden moved here from u.s. 5 years ago. I have bought a few cncs in Sweden and I must say buy a machine that is common here! The day the machine breaks down you will need spares and its not fun spending half a day or tracking down spare parts. I think the mazak is a good choice or better yet a mori seiki. Another thing since you are a designer you probably do alot of 3D, that uses LOTS of memory so try to get a machine you can drip feed or with a large memory. If you need any help I have a well equipped machine shop with 2cnc mills and a cnc lathe in Bålsta(Stockholm). Likewise maybe I can need your services one day.

Joseph
jnfswe@hotmail.com