Swiss Lathe

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I just bought a place with a nice heated double garage.
I'm dreaming now of putting a small swiss lathe in there.
I've only recently, after 30 years as a machinist, started working on one.
It's a goodway SW-20 and I am not impressed.
I would be looking at something way simpler and more reliable.

Any of you guys have any experience and/or suggestions to make or model?

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Are you looking for a Cnc or a manual machine?

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I've never heard of a swiss lathe that wasn't cnc.
Has to be full automated with a bar feeder.
I kind of picked up that Star and Citizen are 2 of the top makers.
I don't think Haas makes a swiss, fixed headstock or screw machine.

[YoDoug]

When I worked for the Okuma dealer we also sold Tsugami swiss machines. They are very solid robust machines. Our biggest competition was always Citizen. 15 years ago I helped set up a few Star machines. IMO Tsugami and Citizen are a step above Star. However, depending on your part needs Star may be just fine. As with any machine tool purchase these days, local support is a big deal. In our area Tsugami and Citizen have good support.

[crazy^millman]

When I worked for the Okuma dealer we also sold Tsugami swiss machines. They are very solid robust machines. Our biggest competition was always Citizen. 15 years ago I helped set up a few Star machines. IMO Tsugami and Citizen are a step above Star. However, depending on your part needs Star may be just fine. As with any machine tool purchase these days, local support is a big deal. In our area Tsugami and Citizen have good support.

I programmed and ran a Star 25 years ago. I have to agree with Dog though and this he is spot on with his assessment of the machines and the market.

[Incogneeto]

When I worked for the Okuma dealer we also sold Tsugami swiss machines. They are very solid robust machines. Our biggest competition was always Citizen. 15 years ago I helped set up a few Star machines. IMO Tsugami and Citizen are a step above Star. However, depending on your part needs Star may be just fine. As with any machine tool purchase these days, local support is a big deal. In our area Tsugami and Citizen have good support.

Yep Love Tsugami's. Great controls and Few if any issues. We had 5 of them. We also used I believe the Kennametal interchangeable
Tool holders. in the front,Just 1 turn with a torx and off comes the head then quick pop on a new head with the insert already installed reset tool life and Rip!!

I also think we had them turn keyed by Productivity Great support.

[Incogneeto]

One more thing, They(Tsugamis) are great for Lights out if you get The sensors. We used The Soy Oil based coolant and were machining 5.56 and 7.62 bolts 3/4 material on the SS20 and 7/8 on the SS32. you must wipe the bars before loading in the barfeed and chamfer the ends. The front collet must stay clean. We were running 6000 bolts a week $$$$

Thanks Obama!!!

[byte]

This site has a few machines listed.

https://cncmachines.com/swiss-lathe/for-sale/5">https://cncmachines.com/swiss-lathe/for-sale/5
https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used-cnc-lathes/?SearchText=swiss&productScroll=1">https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used ... ctScroll=1">https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used-cnc-lathes/?SearchText=swiss&productScroll=1
They look pricey, you have a range you are thinking of?

[CNCAppsJames]

I've never heard of a swiss lathe that wasn't cnc.

Swiss machines were originally cam driven.

[Incogneeto]

I've never heard of a swiss lathe that wasn't cnc.

Swiss machines were originally cam driven.

I thought they were Neutral?? That's a Joke.

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[quote="Thee Byte™" post_id=19163 time=1638484006 user_id=50]
This site has a few machines listed.

https://cncmachines.com/swiss-lathe/for-sale/5">https://cncmachines.com/swiss-lathe/for-sale/5
https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used-cnc-lathes/?SearchText=swiss&productScroll=1">https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used ... ctScroll=1">https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used-cnc-lathes/?SearchText=swiss&productScroll=1
They look pricey, you have a range you are thinking of?
[/quote]

I was expecting to spend about 60k but I see a wide range in the link you posted.
Seen some as low as 10k and others at 120k
I don't need much, just a simple machine with a sub-spindle/part catcher.

[crazy^millman]

I've never heard of a swiss lathe that wasn't cnc.

Swiss machines were originally cam driven.

We are showing our age even knowing that. Our one daughter who is 20 remembers watching videos on VHS tapes and her younger class people in college don't even know what a VHS is. I start talking about DOS and Basic Programming language and most of the people in the shops give me this dazed look in their eyes. Saw an old Moore Jig Grinder that was still in pristine condition the other way that could still holder 50/millionths of an inch. Even had the air bearing rotatory on it hat spun within 10/millionths of an inch. Owner was impressed I even knew what it was was much less I had experience working with one. The guy running it was 80 years old and only came in one day a week to help set it up for the 50 year person that was running it. Anyone under 40 he said will not even try to learn it.

[byte]

[quote="Thee Byte™" post_id=19163 time=1638484006 user_id=50]
This site has a few machines listed.

https://cncmachines.com/swiss-lathe/for-sale/5">https://cncmachines.com/swiss-lathe/for-sale/5
https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used-cnc-lathes/?SearchText=swiss&productScroll=1">https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used ... ctScroll=1">https://www.resellcnc.com/products/used-cnc-lathes/?SearchText=swiss&productScroll=1
They look pricey, you have a range you are thinking of?

I was expecting to spend about 60k but I see a wide range in the link you posted.
Seen some as low as 10k and others at 120k
I don't need much, just a simple machine with a sub-spindle/part catcher.
[/quote]
And a bar feeder of course  :_thumbup: