Need Help!- BUYING A MAZAK

[Seva]

Looking at buying a used Mazak lathe.
Its must have live tooling which i have no experience of.

Can anyone let me know what to take into consideration when buying these type of machines as information is always a good start.

[northwestlee]

What is the model number and year?

[jimiscnc]

I suggest avoiding the early mid 80's types with the VDI cylindrical shank and chain tool changer. There are many still in use, but I've heard they break down a lot.

Other than that, the newer the better. The two main categories left are driven tool block fixed to the turret, or Integrex style tool changer type. Once again, the newer the better. The tool block type have gone through some iterations for the hybred VDI coupling. This has to do with the angle of the pin that mates to a locator hole in the turret, and the angle of the VDI teeth. There's also evolution for the drive tang.

-jim

[scub]

SQT M probbly most reliable. ST`s are fine, spend a little time setting up the carousel alignment propery(no centre height adjustment on this type IIRC, other than packing up the whole axis). I personally dont like integrex, but thats just me .
Try and get T32 or newer. Pre T32 doesnt have much boring bar clearance considerations. otherwise the chuck spins and the turret scoots up and down, back and forth much and such in the same manner regardless of control