Chevalier (VMC)

[Davidgil]

Anyone out there using or have experience with Chevalier VMC's. I'm looking at a 2552VMC from them, and am wondering if this might be a better option for me than a similar sized HAAS or FADAL. Any comments appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

[Keith Graydon]

WE bought a few surface grinders from Chevalier a number of years ago and they are junk. Sorry to say. May be the quality has improved over the years.

[Greg Williams]

Hi,

 

I agree with Keith, We also have a surface grinder, What a piece of crap! Give this brand a wide berth.

[Michael1286490636]

Can't say much for their grinders but, a mold shop in Jersey just bought 2 VMC about a year ago and loves them. All his other equipment are HAAS, personally keep the money in this country if at all you can.

[JAMMAN]

It would be unfair to compare a Chev2252 to any of their cheap grinders and bridgeport copies. 8000 rpm 20 horse spindle, Fanuc 18m control, 20 tool changer. After reading a little about it I would have to take a serious look at it because it seems to be in the same class as Fadal or Haas.

You should find someone with one and talk to them.

Good Luck-

[PE @ IHS]

I have run a Chevalier lathe as well as the grinder. The CNC lathe wasn't bad, the grinder was crap.

 

I would not buy a Fadal, since the control is weird, the machine lacks rigidity, and the toolchange takes forever. Haas is a better machine for the same price. If you do want to get an import, Leadwell (Taiwan) are a decent machine for the money.

 

Peter Eigler

[Christian Raebild]

I don't know the Chevalier machines, but from what Jamman mentioned, I would guess that machine is similar in size to the larger Shaublin lathes. Shaublin lathes may be expensive, but I have only heard good words about Shaublin lathes. They are rigid, they are very accurate (+/- 0.002 mm or better for repeating positioning), and they just keep running with next to no maintenance. I have seen a Shaublin lathe which could still stay within that accuracy after 10 years of running 24/7, and the only maintenance it had required was new oil and coolant at appropriate intervals. After those 10 years, it got an overhaul (regrinding the guideways and a control update), and for all I know, it is still running within 0.002 mm, 9 years after that overhaul.

[Gary]

we have 2 mills and a lathe that are alll chevalier and can say they are alot of machine for the money.

[Davidgil]

Thank you all very much for the information. I love this forum because it lets us all share our experience to make life easier for all of us.

One of the previous comments on this thread mentioned the FADAL. I was looking specifically at the 4525 which seems to be a much more sturdy machine than the original 4020 machine. I am also toying with the idea of going with the Siemens 810D contoller if I choose the FADAL. Any comments or experience with this configuration?

Thanks again,

Dave