PMD
Well-Known Member
Is is permissible to gloat on HBA?
37 years ago I bought a Taiwanese 13 x 40 lathe that weighs in around 800 lbs. It is 2 HP but in reality not nearly rigid enough for a decent cut when using "all" of that mediocre power. Over the years, it is pretty well tooled up, and as those who use machine tools you know that means spending almost as much as the tool itself. BUT, it is getting a little worn, a few things have broken so it is time to sell it off and find something a lot more "industrial".
Had hoped for something new enough to have both SAE and metric values (that my ancient Taiwan tool has). Stumbled into a Colchester Triumph VS 2500 at a farm and industrial on-line auction where farmers usually bid lathes through the roof, but such a bad ag year, there wasn't much action. I ended up getting it (half the age of my old one) and at a full 2 tons, 7.5 HP a LOT more machine. It came in far below what I was prepared to spend - but now it is on to transformers, VFD (380 V 3 phase) and worst part - all new tooling. Won't be able to land it until spring as it is way over what my overhead crane can unload. Either way, pretty pumped about this! Colchester Triumph VS2500 Manual Lathe
Also scored a nice welding table and Proto 3/4" torque wrench for peanuts. Also got a full set of 4 x 200,000 BTU radiant tube NG heaters that I NEED to build new hangar/shop. Great day.
37 years ago I bought a Taiwanese 13 x 40 lathe that weighs in around 800 lbs. It is 2 HP but in reality not nearly rigid enough for a decent cut when using "all" of that mediocre power. Over the years, it is pretty well tooled up, and as those who use machine tools you know that means spending almost as much as the tool itself. BUT, it is getting a little worn, a few things have broken so it is time to sell it off and find something a lot more "industrial".
Had hoped for something new enough to have both SAE and metric values (that my ancient Taiwan tool has). Stumbled into a Colchester Triumph VS 2500 at a farm and industrial on-line auction where farmers usually bid lathes through the roof, but such a bad ag year, there wasn't much action. I ended up getting it (half the age of my old one) and at a full 2 tons, 7.5 HP a LOT more machine. It came in far below what I was prepared to spend - but now it is on to transformers, VFD (380 V 3 phase) and worst part - all new tooling. Won't be able to land it until spring as it is way over what my overhead crane can unload. Either way, pretty pumped about this! Colchester Triumph VS2500 Manual Lathe
Also scored a nice welding table and Proto 3/4" torque wrench for peanuts. Also got a full set of 4 x 200,000 BTU radiant tube NG heaters that I NEED to build new hangar/shop. Great day.
