Any opinions on Hardinge Machines

[cibak1]

I'm looking to purchase a vmc( approx. 20 x 40 x 20 ) and an 8" chuck turning center. Got some good prices on Bridgeport Hardinge Machines, but I don't know anyone with these. Need some unbiased feedback( not a machine tool salesperson ). Reliable, holds close tolerances, customer support, etc.? Needed for a job shop. I work with a wide range of materials from alum. to exotics. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks all,

Jim

[CNCme]

Good day,

 

Be careful, many well known machine builders

have affordable machines built in china,

hardinge has for a while, and bridgebort may also

have....I might check into a haas (USA)...sounds like you want to go affordable?

 

Tony G

CNCiT Precision Machine - Hudson,NH

X Beta Site

Almost Employed Senior Programmer

N.E Massachusetts - Southern New Hampshire

_________________________________________

End mills and tooling are like The "AMMO"

And coolant and chips are like the enemy

Under your boots as you advance in the

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[Flycut]

I've never had 2 much trouble with any Bridgeport Hardinge machine I had to run.

They might not be the best but I like em.

I'd buy one if I had the chance.

[chris m]

Do a forum search for 'Hardinge' and you'll find some threads on this topic, or visit my website at www.hardingeservicesucksa$$.fu

 

C

[Guest]

Gee chrism, Do you have any strong feelings about them, do you?

 

 

[ 11-30-2005, 07:37 AM: Message edited by: jmparis ]

[cibak1]

Thanks for the feedback.

Heard a lot of horror stories on the Haas machines though. Heard they're good as a light duty machine, but won't handle the tougher materials.

 

I am looking for affordable seeing as this is for a start-up, but I can't afford down time even more.

 

Thanks again, keep it coming.

[chris m]

You might want to give the Methods guy a call and talk to him about DooSan. Basically a Chinese ripoff of the Okuma-Howa, pretty inexpensive, and Methods support is unsurpassed [at least in this area]

 

C

 

[ 12-02-2005, 08:33 AM: Message edited by: chris m ]

[Tim Johnson]

The Bridgeport Hardinge machines are built by Yang. They have no power at low rpm, the spindle is cooled by running the flood thru the spindle so you can't machine dry over 3000 rpm. They seem to hold tolerances ok, but not great.

[chris m]

Tim, a common Haas trick [their spindles are coolant-cooled] is to plumb a return line from the spindle outlet back into the sump so you can run the coolant thru the head without getting it on the part; maybe you can do something similar with your [barf] Hardinge.

 

C

[Tim Johnson]

Thanks Chris, I'll pass on the info.

[rsbeadle]

We have three Bridgeport VMC's. Machines are OK but service SUCKS. We just had to wait 3 weeks for an encoder. We are phasing out Bports and replacing them with Mazak Nexus machines (under 100K). They cost a little more up front but when you lose a spindle and they have you one in the shop the next day the machine time you don't lose will pay the difference in the payment.