[TheForge] Tawainese Machine Tools

Mon Sep 22 20:01:02 2003

David,

I have a Jet belt/disc sander that I bought used that is a beast.  It 
looked like it was worked hard before I bought it but I needed one and 
the price was right so I bought it and it has been great. I use it 
constantly.  At Sears, they had a Jet 17" drill press on clearance right 
next to the Craftsman and they looked almost identical.?????????  Thanks 
for responding.

Cheers,
Bill Woolley

David E. Smucker wrote:

>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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