IH growth and delivery - is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

[makeparts]

Hey all - so, I am finally able to consider the investment in a machine and tooling in the $ class of the IH 12Z...

I called/emailed IH last week, as I wanted to see about delivery times etc...they never responded...After reading threads here, I understand why, now.

I am SO leery of dropping the cash on a 12Z, given what appears to be resource/capacity issues, and potentially cash issues. I owned 2 small companies in the 90's; I understand how small business works...so I want to cut them some slack...

It appears some units arrive as promised (timing and quality, etc.) but some do not... Other folks on this forum are right - even if the IH 12Z is the best in class from a specifications perspective, if it take 6x-10x promised delivery cycles, if it arrives with issues, if they don't have the capacity to provide decent support, and, if decisions are made to upgrade the unit with their kits, they are delayed EXCRUCIATINGLY long periods...


Has ANYONE had a good experience with these folks recently? Was this with a manual, turnkey CNC or the CNC upgrade kits? is this a good risk? to be honest, I am very interested in working with them, but without any relationships or real knowledge of their operation, I am looking to folks here speak regarding outlook with them.

There are # of threads here regarding QC and other problems that timely support would address...if they are too busy to give decent support, I struggle to find a way to convince myself they are the company to do business with...

I saw some Novakon and Tormach machines at the Cabin Fever Expo this weekend - their products compare "relatively ok" with IH, and these companies, from my limited research, do have decent delivery cycles and relatively decent support reputations...am I on crazy pills here?

Sorry for the huge post
Best
David

[jetflatline]

[...]
There are # of threads here regarding QC and other problems that timely support would address...if they are too busy to give decent support, I struggle to find a way to convince myself they are the company to do business with...
[...]

While they no longer provide support on this forum, they do read it. They ignored my certified/return-receipt letter asking for a refund, but when I posted here asking for a refund someone called me within 10 minutes and I had most of my CNC kit within the next week.

[saabman]

While Tommy is still kind of tough to reach, Dave (a new hire??) has answered my calls in the last month. I also received some missing parts from my kit during this time.

Word is also that a container of mills is due in next month.

Chris

[oknups]

reasons not to:
Lack of documentation. What you might want to read before buying.
Lack of support as demonstrated in this forum.
Lack of simple reply to a email question to IH.

Seems to me if they have neither the means or desire to communicate with potential buyers, chance of after sale support might not be that good.

On my advice the company I work for spent over $400,000 in machinery in the last 2 years. CNC router, sander and a few other machines not CNC. I take the time to look at customer support and the reputation of the company, if in doubt I ask for a D&B credit report. If they have no D&B listing, forget them. This is my opinion.

I tried to get answers from IH about a $12,000 machine, and got silence.
This would have been a personal hobby purchase, but they will not be getting my money, too many negative posts, and lack of communication.

[Hak63]

I purchased an Ih mill in October 2010, process was smooth, delivered a day early, arrived in great condition. delivered into my Garage. couldn't have been better. Mill had dro on two axis and power feed. Howard

[dbrija]

Novakon and Tormach machines at the Cabin Fever Expo this weekend - their products compare "relatively ok" with IH,

Just curious what you mean by "relatively ok". A bit more travel and a bit more horsepower?

[808welder]

I got my mill in late July 2010, on schedule as promised, 3 weeks from the time of the order. However, I arranged the shipping being that I'm in Honolulu,HI. There were a few hitches but were eventually resolved later than sooner. I think IH was having some personnel issues at that time.

Aloha, LT

[makeparts]

Just curious what you mean by "relatively ok". A bit more travel and a bit more horsepower?

well, when you look at work envelope & repeatable precision, the Novakon units are, at least on paper, slightly less capable

if they work as spec'd, they all appear to be very good units

[Cmtana]

Well I am in the Market for a CNC turn key. I am in agreement with the lack of paperwork. I have never seen anything like that. But the machine is better Tommy seems like his intent is good. But I know intent potential and end product are sometimes different often. I want to buy one said I would. But never got proper paperwork. Darn I thought I had found the machine for me. Any thoughts?

[dbrija]

Well I am in the Market for a CNC turn key. I am in agreement with the lack of paperwork. I have never seen anything like that. But the machine is better Tommy seems like his intent is good. But I know intent potential and end product are sometimes different often. I want to buy one said I would. But never got proper paperwork. Darn I thought I had found the machine for me. Any thoughts?

Yep, buy a Tormach. Fantastic service, great mill. Tons of online documents, continuous product and accessory development. I ordered a mill on a Tuesday, had it setup and making chips late Friday night with zero problems. Doesn't get better than that.

[jetflatline]

Yep, buy a Tormach.

If I were buying now, I'd be looking quite seriously at Tormach. Sure, IH has a huge envelope, but most of my potential business right now fits nicely in a 12" cube on a 4-axis rig.