Thanks Kevin. A 1440 is bigger than what I wanted to get into. I had a chance to bid on a local KC 1440 but quit early. It looked good, lightly used, from the local college automotive shop. It ended up selling for $3800. In hindsight, I should have kept bidding, but at the time, thinking it was not really what I wanted. I am still of that mindset, generally. The YUWE 1440 we discussed earlier looks appealing and got me considering a 1440 again, and the rave reviews that Modern has been given here on this site by members brought me to it. I spoke briefly with the Ontario salesman for the Modern 14x40 but he was hard to talk to. He gave me a brief est of $8500 but was busy running somewhere. I then I sent an email, as he requested, asking for more info, then an actual quote request but still have not heard anything. I assume that one, I have to go through the Ontario guy and two shipping will be 500-1000. Maybe I should call the Calgary store. If I could go to a store, and see one, and get the service that it sounds like you all have gotten, I might be swayed but not so right now. The YUWE looks good at 6900 but hard to compare all of these machines from internet photos. Side by side would be sweet!
Input here has been great but I need to go reread it again. Basically, the machines are all very very similar ..... but slightly different. And the majority come back to a discussion on 1440's. Modern's 1136 just does not grab me. I have a 1018 so not enough of a gain and if I understand correctly, the spindle speeds are belt changes, a step backwards, imho. I think I mentioned it earlier so just going in circles now. KC has the features I want in the 1236 but once I started looking at these other ones, it just is not as appealing, so damned if I do and damned if I don't! The PM seems to have it all in a 1236, and with a solid reputation. They sent me a quote today, considering all of President Trumps extra charges but it is some format I cannot open so I need to wait till they are open tomorrow to see it in a .pdf. There is a local company that started up, bringing stuff across the border, so I may be able to swing the PM, but not sure if they are doing 1200 lb machinery. Their website only mentions weights up to 75lbs and it almost looks like I have to do a pick up request, as in the parcel is there now, to find out (where is that head banging on wall icon?..! ) I confirmed with a friend who works for CBSA. He said I cannot go over the border.
So, in the meantime, I wait. Not like I am not using one. I am growing fond of my little guy but don't change speeds (carriage feed) much. I made a tailstock die holder last week and ! have been using it lots for threads. It works great! If I had the quick change box, I would have done/practiced single point threading. And as
@RobinHood pointed out, I was pushing the limits (of my chuck) with my pipe project, but I learned from that. I don't forsee many more of those size projects. There is a KC1236 locally that I tried to talk the fella into selling. His last text to me was "maybe in the near future" so if it came to that, and he was fairly priced, I would jump on that, even if it is a KC. The 1236 quick change box uses levers where most of the 1440's have knobs there. I don't know if this reflects the method of gear selection or just user inteface. Most of the later models have knobs there now. No rush. Patience usually pays off if balanced with good research. I am still in the research phase.
I should know more tomorrow even....
But we all know that the day after I pull the pin on ordering something new, that guy with the KC will contact me with a smoking deal or something will pop up on Kijiji...
lol
First world problems
Thanks, cheers, stay safe.
