Thread: Hafco AL-540 - Anyone own one?

Originally Posted by benskyring

Hi All,

I'm still thinking about which machine to get. The main two I've been looking at are the Hafco AL-1000c and the AL-540a. The 540a has slightly better stats overall, but the 1000c is supposed to better quality (because it's from Taiwan?).

Does anyone have either machine?

It's odd that the 240v version of the AL-1000 has a imperial leadscrew and the 415v version is metric. Maybe one is a misprint?

Cheers,

Ben

No its not a missprint . the AL1000C has an Imperial lead screw because being 240v they presume that it will be used by hobbiests for using a thread chasing dial on inch threads that hobbiests and re builders will use quite a bit . However with the footbrake cutting either thread can be done without the use of a thread chasing dial. Unless something breaks or moves and you need to disengauge the half nuts to start again.
They presume that the AL1000D will be used by industry , a Metric lead screw is normal in industry .

My AL1000C will be on the market soon..It is a 2001 model with taper turning, freight might be a bit steep though... I have ordered a new bigger lathe...

Hi Ben
I see H&F has got the old stock grey ones for $5500. If you are going to buy one of them,try getting them down on the price as they were $5250 before the price rise earlier this year.
Dave

it will depend what price they land the machines at. The dollar is improving now but if stock is 6 months old it was bought at 6 month old exchange rates therefore will still be a bit more expensive than say late last year before the sky fell on americas head.
I noticed though that the catalogue prices are higher than the website on many items, considerably higher in some cases.
looks like they are bringing the prices back down gradually as stock turns over.
probably try for some kind of package deal if you can swing it.

I heard murmurs about a sale at the Sydney store in mid november, might be a good time to buy then.
probably all of the Hare and Forbes will have a sale around the same time.

Yes the usually have a sale around then, though they didn't last year? probably because of the price rise. The grey lathe's are old stock around 1 to 2 years as they brought out the blue one's about a year ago. I was watching these lathe's myself as I had a buyer for mine back then but when the price went up, I didn't bother.
Dave

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I noticed they have a sale in November, so I'll hold off until then.

The AL-540 on sale doesn't have DRO or Quick Change Toolpost. I'll be looking at the 540A.

Cheers,

Ben