Kia or Hass

[Big B Sprint88]

We are looking at new lathes and have narrowed it down to 2 machines...

Kia 28LMB

OR

Haas SL30

Both machines have live tooling and a full C axis.

 

I have never been around Kia, nor have I heard anything bad about them.. anybody have any input?

 

Thanks

[Phil Orenstein]

A few years ago I was working at a college CNC tech lab where they had a Kia Turning Center (Kia Turn 15) with a Fanuc O/T Control. I never used it but there didn't seem to be any complaints from the folks who did. We were also considering a Haas SL20 recently. I've used and like Haas mills. I know Haas makes good user freindly machines and their service is tops.

 

HTH

Phil

[Thad]

A Kia has a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Oops, sorry, that's the vehicle I'm thinking of.

 

Thad

[kamman25]

i ran a haas sl30 before with MC lathe and never had any problems with it, but if your going to run high production on it you might want to look at an okuma

[Big B Sprint88]

We are a job shop, so high productivity and super speeds are not what we are looking at.. We are looking for a machine that is as user friendly as possible and a machine with a good backbone, as we cut anything from plastic to inconell. The kia/korean thing scares me a bit, but i never heard bad things about them either, just trying to get a feel for what others thin

 

Thanks for the input thus far.

[Thad]

quote:

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The kia/korean thing scares me a bit

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Why?

 

Thad

[chris m]

My buddy has an SL30 and an SL20 Haas which seem to be decent machines but they are definitely not what I would call a rugged machine. If you are going to be doing some heavy stock removal I'd want a demo at the local Haas Outlet or a Haas customer to show the machine will really do it. I know it isn't apples for apples but my Okuma Captain L370 will take stock all day long that I wouldn't even try in that SL30...

 

If you're looking for inexpensive I've heard some positive comments about DooSan. DooSan used to build machines for Okuma-Howa and I can say from experience that Okuma-Howa lathes are VERY rugged, dependable machines. Methods Machine Tools reps DooSan and they don't sell junk; you may want to consider that as an option

 

C

[Big B Sprint88]

Thad, the reson it scares me more than anything is because of a mindset I have, weather it be right or wrong. I always associated korea with cheap junk. like i said it is just a mindset that is hard for me to loose.

On the other hand, we are looking at a mill in this package also and for example a new haas 120x40 machine weighs 12000 pounds less then a kia that has travel of like 86x32.. Looking at those #s the kia is a way better built machine, or they put a lot of lead in there cast.

[chad fisher]

My vote would be for an okuma lathe.

As as far weight is concerned with the mills the haas uses linear bearing ways instead of the "damn cant think of the word" ways.

[Big B Sprint88]

box ways

[Big B Sprint88]

which is another reason i am starting to think "not haas" For instance on that 120x40 mill, i think that is way too much table to be hanging on linear bearings, and that machine only has like a 4000# table cap. thats not a whole lot in comparison to that size table. I have had more weight than that on a 60x30 fadal

[chad fisher]

Yea........box.........Duh!

 

4000lbs is size of a large car!

We run all haas here and i do like them. I run a VF6

and except for a couple little quirks it has been a good machine for general machining.

[Mackius]

Go for the Haas, very sturdy machine, built to last.

 

Also haas has very good support, which is important if machine breaks down.

[Mackius]

quote:

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We are looking for a machine that is as user friendly as possible and a machine with a good backbone,

---

Since you mentioned user friendlyness, definetly go for Haas. They have the new Haas quick code which makes programming very easy.

[herbert west]

Hmm... Haas support. Well they will send a lotta guys who will you will get to know quite well over the ensuing weeks of "support" and you may even want to give them their own office and coffee pot as they will soon become almost temporary employees. They will need a data link and a fax machine also. On the other hand they are very nice people and are local.

[Gary]

The new mazak nexus series are priced real resonable and are very well built,fast machines. We have a quick turn 20 hp and it will move stock and very easy to program.

[chris m]

I'm running my friend's SL30 right now and; like I said, it is what it is: 1/2 as fast, 1/2 as rigid, 1/2 as accurate, and 1/2 as expensive as the Okumas at 'my' shop. Big travel, easy to run, simple to program, but a Mori or an Okuma it ain't...

 

Make sure you let us know how you feel about whatever you buy; nice to learn others' experiences

 

C

[Big B Sprint88]

thanks for all the input, i will let everyone know how things shake out

[Mackius]

quote:

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Haas support. Well they will send a lotta guys who will you will get to know quite well over the ensuing weeks of "support" and you may even want to give them their own office and coffee pot as they will soon become almost temporary employees

---

LOL

 

Actually there is a real simple solution for all this, would you rather pay 5000-8000K/month for 5yrs on a Japanese machine or rather pay off your machine in less than 3yrs with slightly less payments.

 

Its seems like a no brainer to me.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Ford Pinto or AMC Pacer????

[Mackius]

quote:

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Ford Pinto or AMC Pacer????

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Pinto obviously, since its made by Ford.

[Phil Orenstein]

Like my new Corrolla CE, IMO Haas gives you the best bang for your buck. A Corolla is no BMW but it gets me to work and back safely on 1.8L & 4 cylinders. Toyota's are made in America to boot! Either way, let us know if you get the Kia Big B & how it works out.

 

Phil

[CHRISTOPHER]

i must agree, i ain't no jap machine, they will both do the job with a little TLC. have you taken a look at the daewoo machines. we purchased a machine with live tooling c&y axis and were pleasantly suprised by the build quality, looks very similar to an okuma in some ways.

[LNDCAD]

I don't know anything about the KIA, but give me a call, and I can put you in touch with some people who are using HAAS turning centers. They can give you info on the local support response.

[jimspac]

We have the Haas SL30 lathe with live tooling and full C axis cap. There is no Y axis and the live tool spindle is rated for med duty: 3/4 endmill or drill in mild steel max. some XY work can be done thru polar to cartesian conversion thru G112 I have yet to do much with it, but even my friend who works at our Haas rep says not to push it.