Used Haas VF4 vs NEW Haas TM3P

[V8-AV8R]

EDIT- Title should have been USED Haas VF4 vs NEW Haas TM3P

Hello,
First post, please be gentle! I have a few years prior experience with a 2005 Haas TM-2 toolroom mill (bought new) running GibbsCam. I have a different job now and my new boss is nearly ready to take the plunge into the CNC world.

Parts will be lots of one offs with a few small production runs- mostly aluminum with a little 4130 steel parts occasionally. We won't be running any large steel components or superalloys. A CAM 3D software package will be used as well- not sure which one yet.

First, there is a locally available 2001 VF-4 Haas for sale for what seems to be a decent price (mid $30's- no tooling and no shipment costs from dealer). Dealer has installed a new CRT, new X-axis ballscrew, and some misc electronic components. About 7000 hours on the machine if I recall correctly. It is in good cosmetic shape and does not appear abused- Table is good with no evidence of major crashes.

My boss is hesitant on used machines (possible future problems/repairs) and has sent out for a quote on a new Haas TM3P. Obviously, the TM-3 will be significantly more money ($50k by the time you add options + tooling).

My questions are:
Do you go with the available VF-4 at lower initial cost and obviously higher machining capacities over the TM3, take care of the machine, and hope for the best? Obviously, I know a lot of this will be the luck of the draw depending on the prior work environment of the machine.

Or go with a new TM3 for substantially more money but have a known machine with the latest Haas controller?

Either machine would work well for us and our present work demands.

Does anyone have any experience with the older Haas VF machines and potential issues?

Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Allan

[Geof]

I think getting an older machine at the correct price is a good gamble. I have many Haas machines dating from 1995 up to 2008 including a 2000 VF0 a 2000 MiniMill and a 2001 Super MiniMill which are all still in regular use. Maintenance has been minimal, up to a couple of months ago the VF0 had needed practically nothing but then the spindle drive finally had to be replaced.

On a used machine it may be possible to haggle and get it for less than 30k and the 20k difference between this and a new, lower capacity, machine can go a long way to keeping the older one running.

As I say it's a gamble, maybe I have been lucky.

[V8-AV8R]

Originally Posted by Geof I think getting an older machine at the correct price is a good gamble. I have many Haas machines dating from 1995 up to 2008 including a 2000 VF0 a 2000 MiniMill and a 2001 Super MiniMill which are all still in regular use. Maintenance has been minimal, up to a couple of months ago the VF0 had needed practically nothing but then the spindle drive finally had to be replaced. On a used machine it may be possible to haggle and get it for less than 30k and the 20k difference between this and a new, lower capacity, machine can go a long way to keeping the older one running. As I say it's a gamble, maybe I have been lucky.

Thanks for the input- were it my decision, I think I would be comfy with it. It would be nice to upgrade it to the newer control (with the intuitive programming) but I am sure that would be a major (and expensive) upgrade.

A Haas rep is supposed to be coming by in the next few days. We'll see what he has to offer-

Thanks again,
Allan