[TheForge] Tawainese Machine Tools

Mon Sep 22 12:52:01 2003

I have had 5 different Taiwanese machine tools, of which I still have 4.  My
mill / drill (Jet) dates back to the mid 70's and is still a good tool.  I
have a 13" by 40" Taiwanese gear head lathe, which is a very good machine
tool -- it was from the mid 80's and the bearings and gears are from Japan.
I had a small horizontal band saw -- cheap one, never could get the blade
guides right.  I did wear it out and scrapped it.  Replaced it with a 7"x12"
(Jet) horizontal band saw that works great.  I also have a large (Jet) drill
press and have worked it very hard.  Motor bearings are shot on it and it
needs a new motor (casting is cracked).

In general I think most Sears stuff is junk so have never looked at their
Taiwanese tools.  Sears buys on the cheap, cheap so you get what you pay
for.

Many folks have talked about poor quality of Taiwanese motors but I have had
good luck except for the big drill press -- and as I said I really worked it
hard with a lot of slow speed big hole drilling and to keep the belt from
slipping they have to be tight -- so I am not surprised to loose the
bearings after 10 years.

As you can tell I am a fan of Jet Tools -- because I think they are from the
better end of the imports.  Don't know your location but look around for a
local Jet dealer (industrial tools) and you might get a better price /
quality than you think.

Dave Smucker

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Woolley" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 9:50 AM
Subject: [TheForge] Tawainese Machine Tools

> Greetings,
>
> Strolling  through Sears the other day I saw a 17" Taiwanese made
> Craftman drill press on clearance for $300. Quick change speeds from 250
> to 3200, 1 1/2 hp motor.  Their 20" is a nice looking machine with
> larger table, 2hp motor etc.($500).  I don't usually, if ever go for
> Tawainese tools, but at this price I'm seriously considering it.  I've
> been coaxing along an old Buffalo Forge Press that  runs out, a PITA to
> change speeds, table height etc.  This press was had for a half a day of
> welding so it doesn't owe me a thing. I use my drill presses a lot, but
> am not ready to spend $1500 for an Ellis or compatible, and I'm getting
> kinda sick of looking at used presses on the net that you have no clue
> as to their true condition etc. until you are standing in front of it
> running.  Any thoughts from Tawainese machine tool owners as to their
> value, dependability etc?  Thanks.
>
> Regards,
> Bill Woolley
>
>
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