Thread: Hafco 960b querys.

I can honestly say I know how you feel with there crummy service and run around.
I went through a similar experience myself with my mill, returned 2 and now have the third which still has problems.
Give them a try to see if they come to the party with a direct mount chuck. Then if they wont, ask that at least they supply a new back plate.
If they had to replace the chuck because it was (Taiwanese rubbish one LOL) to put on a quality Chinese one, they should have given you a new back plate and kept that one together with the rubbish chuck.
The back plate you received is really second hand as it has already been machined and fitted to another chuck.

Over the back of the saddle there are usually threaded holes for the light bracket and coolant bracket. Not sure if yours would have it, but there maybe a couple of holes either side of the centre of the cross slide for a taper attachment.

I find it hard to believe that they sold your lathe because the note came off. They have a fully functional computer system, As soon as you pay the deposit it comes up on the computer for any staff looking that it is sold.
Every mill that was delivered in change over period with my troubles, I received a new invoice sent to me for the full price. I questioned them and they said the computers automatically send them out.
I think it is illegal to sell something that has had a deposit taken on, but you would need the serial number of the lathe and a heap of money to fight them in court, which would be more trouble than it's worth, and they know it.
I know of another member on here that is almost certain he received a display model instead of new like he paid for.
I don't know who or why they are doing things like this but there loosing customers, even long time ones are turning away.
I am sure John Edward Hare and Henry Forbes would not be happy to see the way it is run these days, after working hard and building it up from 1930.

Dave

Originally Posted by lather

phoned h&f, apparently the backplate flange needs to be machined to fit the chuck, as well as drilling/tapping the 4 threads.
I was supposed to be informed of this when purchasing.
have other 960b owners had the same problem ?
you would think that at least the service person would perform this task before the lathe is sold, especially when they know of the problem, due to using chinese chucks.

I have not Read all of this Post, only Skimmed through it. I bought My AL-960b of Hare & Forbes in Melbourne. The Lathe was Unpacked in Melbourne and Tested then it was Re-Crated. At one Point when I Rang Michael Madigan to find out how it was going for the Courier He told Me it was nearly ready they just had to Machine the Chucks Backplates. I would have to have a better look at the 4 Jaw to see if it has a Back Plate,but the Camlock Pins were in its Box with it. The Lathe came with the 3 Jaw Chuck Mounted on it. I haven't noticed any Oil Leaks apart from what Drips out from the bottom of the quick change gearbox- this is normal.
I have not used My 4 Jaw Chuck as yet. I want to make some half Moon (to match Chucks radius's) pieces of Timber mounted on Plywood for when I am changing the Chucks first. Before I try the 4 Jaw Chuck out. Both Chucks are Fuerda Brand ones.

thanks Gavin, i will place some bolts now i know their threaded.

the lathe was coated, with a wax like substance, the beds and slides e.t.c. look in good condition, i'm just a bit about doing things that shouldn't have to be done.
only purchased it as the price had dropped $700, this seemed a bargain as the al 336 was about the same price.

the paintwork wont worry me too much, as i could redo this later.
for the condition it is in, they must have painted over crap that was left on the steel, the other display models were as smooth as the finish on the cabinets.
So its a bit of a worry as i dont know if it was done when manufactured or resprayed later for an unknown reason.

trying to find a 200mm d1-4 direct mount 4 jaw chuck on ebay, there wasn't much of a choice, way too expensive.

had taken the studs out then placed the sheet with the chuck holes over it, the new bolt holes would be slightly hitting the stud securing bolt heads.
will drive to H&F to get a new plate (after trying to resize the stud pattern of my spare tyre. )

Thanks Dave,
as i stated before, i assume the note falling off was only an excuse, this excuse failed when after finding another new boxed lathe that was already held for another customer, was sold to me.
good for me, but unlucky for that customer,
bad for their business as it makes me wonder what other tricks they get up to, if they couldn't care about holding goods that have a deposit on them, they must be doing so well that they have way too many customers, and now need to reduce their customer base, this would be a businesses dream.

Steran, looks like there is better service over in Melbourne, service must have somehow got lost on its way over here in Perth.

Hello Lather,
Sorry you are having trouble with your machine. You should not have to drill or machine anything for your chucks to fit. If it is convenient for you, I think you should insist that H&F supply you with chucks which fits properly. Once you start drilling or machining your chucks you have no comeback. The Ombudsman may be able to help you get satisfaction.
Regards, Russell

Russell is right there, Once you machine it, it will void the warranty on that part as you have modified it.
Letting them know you have spoken to or are going to speak to the Ombudsman might benefit and make them more helpful.

Dave

Thanks, haven't touched it, there is no way id be able to drill 4 more holes without interfering with others.
I will place a call tomorrow, if i don't get a response the next step will be to send an email to head office with all the complaints, especially about the deposit.
the other problem now is trust, if they did agree on machining how well a job would it be, i couldn't trust them now to machine a plate.

what i don't understand, is i assume there is a safety issue if i decided to take their advice and machine the plate and drill holes, which would be close to interfering with other bolt heads, if this caused a weak spot and somehow shattered and injured me, who would be liable ?,
as the person on the phone stated that all the 960b's need to have their plates machined and taped by the customer.

I have never heard on any forum world wide of anyone having to fit their chuck to a back plate, even Chinese ones, and it seems the owners of the 960B here didn't have to do it.
You have some good points there, thats something to throw at them.
They wont machine it for you unless they can do it on the computer.lol
The only option they have is to supply you a direct mount one, or a complete chuck and back plate off another 960B or Chinese lathe, or a new back plate with a guarantee in righting that if you mess it up it's under warranty.
Dave

Lather

After reading your post on your purchase of the 960b from H&F in Belmont I am sure they have just re-packaged a second hand one and on sold it to you as new. Or they have sold you their demo model, hence the swarf in various places on the lathe.

Over the years I have purchased a fair bit of gear off H&F and have had no problems, but that was when a different bloke ran the business. He retired back in March, there is a new manager and owner in the shop.

Reading your posts is a horror story, I guess i will be buying my stuff down at Fiora Machinery now.

DD

and it seems the owners of the 960B here didn't have to do it

For the record, none of the chucks on my 960 required the backplate to be machined or drilled. They were delivered in a "ready to use" condition.

trying to find a 200mm d1-4 direct mount 4 jaw chuck on ebay, there wasn't much of a choice, way too expensive.

Talk to H&F about swapping your existing 4-Jaw & plate for a Fuerda direct mount chuck. It should be a zero (or minimal additional) cost option. If you get no satisfaction from the Perth branch talk direct to their head office.

Originally Posted by Dave J

I have never heard on any forum world wide of anyone having to fit their chuck to a back plate, even Chinese ones, and it seems the owners of the 960B here didn't have to do it.
Dave

My first lathe, a Lantaine from Taiwan, had its 4 jaw chuck already mounted to a backplate. But, I had to machine the backplate for the 3 jaw.
Maybe local distributors generally do that as part of preparation prior to sale, but I had specifically asked for a lathe "out of the box".

Jordan

The only time I've ever been in an H & F store was to check out a used lathe for another forum member. The entire experience left me feeling soiled. I have never and will never be back.

Not that the foregoing helps anyone. Perhaps the old "fit for purpose" provisions of the consumer protection laws should be invoked if you don't get a new chuck/backplate RFN.

Will be posting details of what had happened today, im not sure at the moment how to go about posting these details, It was a very strange day as you will know soon enough.
it was also very confusing.

heres a few pics of the lathes minor problems.
most probs are minor and may be normal, hopefully some 960b owners can verify if this is normal for a new lathe.