Shoptask poor construction

[digitalmdj]

Here is a reminder what you are buying when you purchase a Shoptask. The first spindle casting was cracked and the Chinese tried to weld it. It leaked all the oil out. The JT tried to send me a cracked replacement which I had to repair myself. The crack was covered up by that lead paint and bondo they use to paint the machine. The spindle casting was full of welding slag and casting sand. The mill gearbox I haven't fixed yet but its going to be a problem getting the hole center so the gears mesh correctly.

[Fast01]

Thank you for posting up those pictures. You are the first person I have seen who actually posted pics to back up their complaints about the machine. I will be sure to check mine very carefully.

[digitalmdj]

Also you will need to remove all the burrs on all the gears and bushings. They did a poor job on everything.

[jalessi]

Digitalmdj,

Are the pictures you posted of a current machine they are still building?

Is the quality better on any other of the machines they build?

Jeff...

[digitalmdj]

I am about two thirds through with the project . I changed jobs last July for more money and better location. I had another two projects I just finished . I am starting back up on this one and should be up and running in July. A friend is machining all the parts at his convenience so it takes time. With the Chinese it's all about numbers not quality. The cost of the good parts is alot so if your not up to it don't get started. Remember JT cannot get replacement castings. Believe me he cant deliver. So you will have to fix it due to his inability to carry spare parts. The runaround you get and the money you spend is truly not worth the effort. But i was to far into the machine trying to find out why I leaked out all the oil in the gear box just to send it back. jT even tried to threatened to sue my last employer because of this but they were just a shipping address. i have all the pictures and he cant convince a California judge that he is honest. It would cost him dearly to even try. I have all his emails just waiting for the opportunity to make things right. Here are some more pictures of the project. All JT has to do to make it right is to replace the cracked castings and we will be even. But I wont hold my breath. That would be the spindle , mill and mill gearbox housings.

[instructor37]

Good luck on your project- from your photos it looks like you are modifying one of the older units into a Patriot model.

[jalessi]

Digitalmdj,

First of all , who is JT?

Next question:

Are the pictures you posted of a current machine they are still building?

Third Question:

Is the quality better on any other of the machines they build?

Jeff...

[digitalmdj]

My advice is if you are buying a machine go and look at the one you are buying and have them run it . Check the run out and inspect the inside of the gearboxes. If JT doesn't want to do this don't buy it. Purchase the one he is showing you not one in the box. Make sure you get the number off the machine to verify it when it arrives. If he seems agitated so what you are not going to throw good money away and how dare him to question your motives. Remember he is a salesman get everything in writing right down to how the machine is suppose to perform. If he says within .001 per foot get it in writing. The warranty does not state that so he needs to write it out for you so he cannot say otherwise . And all repairs are on him if something is not as advertised. Get it in writing. PS JT is the owner of shoptask. As for which machine is better none of them are. The Chinese are not going to put out anything good until they get rid of the corruption in their country. The same goes for our country.

[jalessi]

Digitalmdj,

How old is the model you have in the pictures?

Thanks for the info.

Jeff...

[digitalmdj]

My machine is a little over a year old. I was going to run it as it was when I bought it but with all the problems with cracks and casting sand in the gearboxes. Metal shavings on everything I had to start from scratch. they used putty to cover up casting flaws and painted over metal chips and casting sand. It was a shame the way they put this thing together. Its like buying a fiat and trying to get replacement parts. He has none. He does have tooling and ball screws and the basic stuff but no castings.

[jalessi]

Why didn't you return it for one without defects?

Jeff...

[digitalmdj]

Do you know you have to pay return shipping and I already took it down to find the welded casting flaw. And then I tried to get a replacement casting. Then JT sent a cracked replacement . He hid the crack with the lead paint they use and putty. That is when he gave me excuses and it was to late to do anything. So if you purchase a machine get one that you inspect first.