Haas vs Hardinge Mills

[DTHOMSON]

We currently have 2 Haas mills (VF-4 and VF-8) and are in the market for anothe mill. We have Hardinge lathes and are looking at a Hardinge VMC 600II. The Haas has been ok but looking to see if the Hardinge would be a better machine. Does anybody have any thoughts or experience here? Thanks.

[chris m]

I have 2 Hardinge Conquest lathes and I think that Hardinge, in general, sucks. Their service network [at least in my area] is non-existent, their parts are expensive, their phone support sucks, and the entire corporation has a 'we're HARDINGE' attitude that makes me want to choke someone every time I deal with them. If you like the Haas', stick with what you know; if you are looking to 'step up' I'd look at a machine of some distinction like a Matsuura, Mori-Seiki, Okuma [though the controls are a big change there], etc.

 

C

[Chris Rizzo]

To make a long story short, myself and others have noticed quality issues with new haas machines. I'm not bashing haas in general, but new machines from them make me leary. Personal experience, and I know there's others here who concur . Mori and Mazak now are offering machines that are only about 15-25% more in price than a comparable haas, which I'd say would be well worth consideration. Don't know anything about Hardinge cnc (although I'd trade my 1rst born to have a clean little toolroom lathe in my home workshop)

 

m2c

[Oppiz]

quote:

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I have 2 Hardinge Conquest lathes and I think that Hardinge, in general, sucks. Their service network [at least in my area] is non-existent, their parts are expensive, their phone support sucks, and the entire corporation has a 'we're HARDINGE' attitude that makes me want to choke someone every time I deal with them.

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I couldn't have said it better myself!