Lagun Mill/parts availability

[Ted383]

I did not see a forum for Lagun mills so I put this here.

I am seriously considering the purchase of a 9x48 2hp w/ step pully. I do not know the model #. The Lagun name is new to me so I'd like to get some info.

Any known problems?
Are parts readily available?

[jjclear]

Ted
I'm not an expert, but I have a Lagun CNC that I picked up last year. It's been a good machine and seems to be well built. I know that the company is still in business. I have not contacted them though.

J. Clear

[KIMFAB]

I have had a Lagun FT-2 for several years and am quite satisfied with it. The only change I would make would be a variable speed head instead of the step pulleys. Its also nice to have at least power feed on the X axis and a DRO. They are still in business as Republic Lagun.

[Ted383]

Thanks for the info.

Can I assume that most DRO's or powerfeeds for Bridgeports will fit the Lagun?

KF, I am trying to figure out the model # of the machine I am looking at. Does your FT-2 look like the one in my pics?

[KIMFAB]

Yeah this unit is obviously newer than mine. The downfeed handwheel seems to be missing in the picture. The table size is the same. Check the ways and screws carefully for wear. a good unit goes for $1500 to $5000 depending on condition.

DRO's are pretty much universal but you would need to check further on the power feed. Are you going to use it as a manual machine or convert it to cnc? There are a lot of good used cnc machines out there cheap. I just converted a Shizouka AN_S to cnc and only have about 5 grand in it using off the shelf parts and a Shadow controller.

That's old mom running the machine.

[Ted383]

The mill will be used as a manual. It's for a sheet metal/fab shop and it will be used to make tooling and other misc one-offs.

What exactly am I looking for when checking ways and screws? Both axis on this Lagun move smoothly w/o resistance. I grabbed the X table and tried to rock it and it had no play. -ted


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[KIMFAB]

Run the table out in one direction and look underneath at the large screw is it worn a lot more at the middle than at the ends. Run the table back to expose the v shaped ways and look at them. There should be little swirl marks in the body of the v's and they should be even from the front to as far back as you can see.

As you are doing this while at each end of travel and in the middle turn the crank one way and the the other. The backlash or the amount the crank turns between going each direction should be approximately the same at the ends or in the middle of travel.

Ask about the missing downfeed crank it just slides off and is probably lying somewhere. It's the unit at the bottom left of the LAGUN faceplate.

[Ted383]

That's the info I was looking for.

Yesterday i spoke with a guy at Lagun USA. He was very helpful. He told me where to find the serial # and if I gave it to him he could tell me the machines birth date. Move the Y back toward the column and it is stamped on the way cover.

He also assured me that all replacement parts and accessories are available for the machine.

He kept saying "those step heads are bullet proof". One thing he said puzzled me tho. He told me they stopped producing the step head in the late 90's yet they show it on their web site

Thanks Kim.

http://www.lagun.com/products/vertical-mills/ft2.html





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[KIMFAB]

Just looked at your web page. Looks like you make sheet metal items in your shop there. This unit should work out fine if you can get it for the right price. One of my customers out here in Vegas has a new and used machine tools company http://www.hannatool.com/inventory.htm but it would cost more to ship a machine than it is worth.
The table looks good but I am concerned with the wear - it looks like the machine was never over oiled and may have wear on the ways. Again do the tests mentioned above. You should be able to get this machine for $2-3000 depending on condition. What is he asking for the machine?
Remember the cost of the machine is only about half of the expenditure. You will still need a vise, tooling and whatever.

[Ted383]

I decided I will only buy a machine I can see in person before buying (no ebay). And since freight would be $800 or more I want the machine to be within 200 miles or so, so I can pick it up myself.

The machine is at a small husband and wife run machinery dealer about 130 mile from me. When I looked at it one week back he was asking 2k for it. I called him the other day to see if it was still available and he proceeded to tell me he decided to have his service guy replace the X axis half nut. He told me I could have the machine for $2,200 after the repair and that if I passed on it he would be putting it on craig's list for $2,600. He added that his service guy with 25 yrs exper said it was one of the nicest machines (for it's age) that he's seen (for what it's worth).

I am clear on your procedure for checking the lead screws but I guess checking the condition of the ways is not as cut and dryed. I mean, if the swirl marks are a little fainter in one area than another is that ok? Do the swirl marks have to be gone in an area to be a problem?

Worded another way. If the ways were badley worn what would I see?


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[hansw3]

Wondering how things turned out for you?

I'm looking at a Lagun right now. There is none of the swirls/hand scraps/cherrying on the ways. The guy tells me they are chromed. I see a tag that says the ways are hardened.

What I'm also not sure about is that say the table has a little free play. If the gibs can be tightened then why would it matter? As long as it doesn't get too tight at the end because the center is worn more on x and y axis?

[KIMFAB]

I see you are in the Minneapolis area. There used to be several good dealers out in the Hopkins area.
As for the machine if the ways are chromed they will look like chrome, if flame hardened they should be discolored. Haven't talked to Ted lately to see how he made out.
Is this from a dealer or a private sale? Price?