Hafco AL-250G thread cutting limitations

[Retromilling]

Spoke with H&F today, they apologized but all they can do is send someone up to look at it when I get back from work in a few weeks, which I spose isn't to bad, better then loading it up and taking it back to Brisbane. As for oil, I have been told by alot of people to run hydrualic oil 68.

You are lucky you are dealing with Brisbane as they seem to be a way better more professional bunch than Sydney H&F scum , except George in spare parts he is the only one that I struck that cares at all about customer satisfaction in Sydney . Matt H*re does not give a #### and just forgets your complaints.

[nearnexus]

To the OP.

Looking at the pdf brochure on this lathe from the H&F site.

How easily does the toolpost/compound mount detach from the cross slide?

Also how many ball races does it have on the cross slide threaded shaft - does it have any? Looks a bit puny there.

Interesting lathe with lots of features.

Rob

[tongleh]

The two 6mm nuts holding the compound slide are very close to the slide, but it's not too fiddly, quick 30 second job. There are no bearings on the cross feed shaft. The geared head is great for quick speed selection and apparently you can also substitute a 36 tooth gear in the external gear chain to give it more thread cutting options (imperial). I've made a bench, knurling scissors and a coolant system, which you can see in other threads I've posted on the forum. I tapped the top slide behind the compound slide mount for mounting a mill slide, I’ve also made T bolts and nuts so I can also mount it where the compound slide normally sits.
I’m quite happy with the lathe and haven’t had any problems.

[nearnexus]

It looks to be well featured. I must drop into General Tools in Adelaide (H&F affiliate) and have a close look at one.

This is variously listed worldwide as the CJM250x500 and the CQ6125/500.

The geared head looks like a copy (very much reduced in size) of a 1970s Mori Seiki.

Be interesting to see what the geared head has in the way of clusters. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a consumable nylon gear in there, unless it has a shearpin on the leadscrew.

It's about the only budget geared head lathe on the market with a quick change gearbox.

I hope you have a good run out of it.

Rob

[Auskart]

Price has gone UP $110 since 2012 Catalog came out, went up about 4 weeks ago.

[tongleh]

I went to General Tools to have a look at an AL250G, they didn't have one in so I had to buy one blind through GT, who ordered it for me. As far as I know, they still haven't got one in for show purposes; at the time, they didn't even know that H&F sold them!!!

[Auskart]

What was the price through General Tools.

[tongleh]

I got it on special for $1499, plus freight, during their last sale. Normal price then was around $1640 I think.

[Auskart]

Good price H & F have stuck it up to $1749.

[tongleh]

That's ridiculous, there are a lot better lathes around for that price. Had I not got it for $1499, I would have bought something else, I certainly wouldn't have paid there normal price of $1699.