[pagoda]

Would love to see more action and reviews on the board. I would like this lathe to be a good unit, but I'm not feeling safe until We get some more happy users. Any Ideas as to the number of units out in the field at this time?

Any of the people that are running them care to share some more feedback and videos?

Thanks!

[compunerdy]

So far I am happy with mine. There are some things I do not like but overall the experience has been more on the good side. I will try and film some jobs to post on here..

[tmarks11]

There are some things I do not like but overall the experience has been more on the good side

Anything new you have noticed that you didn't post on your other thread?

[tmarks11]

I see that Tormach just posted 3 new SPL15 videos:

Tormach 15L Slant-PRO Lathe Demonstration #1 - YouTube
Tormach 15L Slant-PRO Lathe Demonstration #2 - YouTube
Tormach 15L Slant-PRO Lathe Demonstration #3 - YouTube

They have dveloped a series of cut screens at the beginning of these videos, sort of like they did with the mill, but focused on the lathe.

I was hoping they would show the enclosure or the turret in these, but no such luck.

[MichaelHenry]

Looks like the full enclosure won't be available until year's end at best and at least a few of us are waiting for that and/or the turret version (which won't be sold without the full enclosure) to be available before buying.

That said, I wouldn't mind a few other reviews either. Tormach probably still provides contact info for their customers that are will to discuss or demo their mills and probably their lathes as well. It could be worth checking that out.

[sanddrag]

I've had mine sitting un-powered in my shop since June. In terms of quality, the functionally-important parts that matter seem to be pretty well done, and the cosmetic/non-functional parts seem to be rather poorly done in certain areas. The serial number on my machine is in the 20s. I'm hoping to get it powered up next month (need to run a new circuit to it) but I too have been waiting on the turret and enclosure to become available for sale. I don't see the point in investing in a QCTP or gang plate if I eventually go for the turret and enclosure like I'm planning to do. I wish they'd get it done already, or at least give us some kind of an update. It's been a while.

[tmarks11]

...cosmetic/non-functional parts seem to be rather poorly done in certain areas...

It is a machine tool, after all. The cosmetics will be even worse once you start spraying coolant through it.

I am sure that the rough edges will be fixed by the time the Series III rolls around... maybe the enclosure will be released by then too. Look how long it took them to release an ATC and enclosure for the 1100...

[compunerdy]

I also really want the enclosure and tool changer but I will be using my QCTP as well.. there is no way the changer will hold enough tools so it will get the most used ones and the QCTP will hold any others I need.

[compunerdy]

The conversational is cool but I find myself wishing it was Mach a lot. no wireless, no screen saver, no easy single click to tell the machine you changed the tool, no memory on the MDI line, cant move in 2 directions at once with keyboard, etc..

[CNCAuburn]

So can this thing hold at least 7 tenths on .5" ID or even a .375" ID bore. I'm machining aluminum at the moment and would like machine stainless as well-I'm guessing no on the stainless with this machine. What kind of surface finish are you guys achieving?

I'm prototyping right now on a manual lathe. These are small parts, and I have bearing seats to deal with, and I'm currently using a roller burnishing tool on the seats to get within 0 to .0003". I may investigate honing as well, but there are benefits to roller burnishing such as finish and cold hardening the seats. It takes me a little while to make these parts by hand. I eventually want to produce parts. I have been looking at used 20 year old big CNC iron. Only problem is finding one local at a good price and fitting it in at my house until I can get an industrial space--about 1.5 years away. Just moving 10K lb lathes cost about $1500.

My hope would be to use this lathe to speed up my prototyping at home and do some small productions runs eventually in 6061 and 7075. I have been looking for a good used gt27, but they are fetching pretty high premiums at the moment. I live in No. California.

[adamvs]

My experience is it should easily hold 7 tenths. The trick is to approach critical diameters cuts from the same direction as you zero the tool on the radial ( X ) axis. Otherwise you encounter backlash, which is inherent in an open loop tool. Same is true on the Tormach mill. If you have say a hole pattern and setup your strategy such that all holes are approached from the same direction on the lead screws, the thing gets freakishly accurate. But on diameters that small, why not use a chucking reamer. The machine has 3 HP to spindle so I don't see why stainless should be a problem. BTW, I also live in NorCal up in Marin.

[CNCAuburn]

Thanks for the prompt response. I have tried reaming bearing seats with mixed results. I have found roller burnishing to be the best/cheapest solution so far with the added benefits of work hardening the bearing seats and leaving a very fine finish. As far as reaming and then roller burnishing,it is not not recommended as it leaves tears that are hard to remove with the roller burnisher. It is recommend to use a boring bar to get the proper surface finish.

[adamvs]

Agreed, I've used roller burnishers before for the same application. As I remember we were holding 2 tenths in cast aluminum, no problem over runs of several thousand, with all the benefits you mentioned. I didn't know you could get them that small, but cool! The Tormach, for the money, is a great prototyping / short run tool. For long runs you might be bugged by the rapid speeds ( they are steppers ). They have come out with a tail stock also. My main complaint, as I've mentioned is with SprutCAM, which is still pretty buggy, but is usable and generates good code. I've been using my own post-processor so I can have both gang tool and QCTP working on the same part. Here's a cheesy video I made for a coolant fitting:

[300sniper]

I live in No. California.

Auburn, Ca? If so, I'm just across the canyon from you in Greenwood. I'm running a 20hp turning center off a 40hp phase converter in my garage. I can hear the buzz of the florescent lights outside but can't hear the machine or phase converter. Go figure.

[CNCAuburn]

That's great, I'm about 6 miles outside of Auburn. I might still look at a bigger lathe. Given the price on the Tormach seems to be going up and up the more I look at it, a used gt27 would probably be a good compromise given I can find one for the right price.

[menzzer37]

I'm happy with mine. I had a few bugs in the beginning but I just ran a 50 piece job and am holding pretty good tolerances. I have a prototype air closer and it really makes life nice. I am running gang tooling and like it. I would still buy the turret/enclosure when available. I've also been playing around with a bar puller which is really nice. You can't run anything over 3' though until you get some kind of support for the stock.

[compunerdy]

Would love to see some pics of your air closer setup. Is it a Tormach prototype or one you made?

[menzzer37]

It's Tormach's closer.

[compunerdy]

Here are some other updates that I am sure they do not mind me sharing..

As Menzzer stated they are working on the Air closer and currently waiting on some parts..

For the enclosure/tool changer.. Enclosure is in production – no firm date yet on when they will be here. The turrets are here and ready to go, but can’t sell them without the enclosure. Sorry to be so elusive on a firm date, but we’ve learned the hard way that when we promise something and then a last minute hiccup comes along people get much more upset than when we give very conservative estimates (or no estimates at all).

[compunerdy]

I got a update on my comments above.. I guess it would help if I looked into things more before running my mouth lol

“The conversational is cool but I find myself wishing it was Mach a lot. no wireless, no screen saver, no easy single click to tell the machine you changed the tool, no memory on the MDI line, cant move in 2 directions at once with keyboard, etc..”

Wireless is there and supported via USB WiFi dongle: Tormach PN 34705. You won’t be able to surf the internet, but you can use the machine as network-attached storage for your CAD/CAM computer. Details on how to set this up are in the manual.

No screen saver – correct. The screen savers were causing problems with response time on wake up so we disabled them. If you’re not using the machine for more than an hour or so it would be a good idea to power down anyway. I find that people tend to leave their computers on for days at a time, which is not the best practice.

Single click to indicate tool change is the Cycle Start button if the tool change is requested during a part program. Is that what you mean? Or do you want a tool DRO? Typing ‘T2’ in the MDI line seems like not much more work than typing ‘2’ in the tool DRO.

MDI memory is supported. Just like Mach, you use the up/down arrow keys while the MDI line has focus.

Two button jogging should be in place on our next software release.