Thread: Have You Seen Or Bought Any Of Their Machinery?

Metalhead,
Apart from the between centers and 190 rpm higher spec it is the same specs as my lathe.This one one has coolant where as mine had a quick change tool post.
This model can also come as footbraked model.

Either the vendor doesn't know,doesn't care about telling a porkie or is too willing to accept the statement of the manufacturer as a fact.

You can check it out on the Asset plant website, or I will take a piccy tomorrow.

I hope I'm not raining on your parade,but I would hate you to do a "me"


regards
Grahame

Well its tomorrow already and heres your piccy. I can't pick any major differences.
Yeah!yeah! I know, the position of the change levers i the top of the headstock box is different.
I am taken by the flash paint job though.

Probably, the big difference is in the finish /presentation of the units, maybe they were'nt painted by a cretin in the middle of a Mongolian sandstorm.
If someone can get an opportunity to get a squizz at the lathes in person and gives us all a report, I would be interested in their milling machines as well.
Grahame

For what it's worth, I had a look a couple of months back when I was just starting to look for a lathe. My impressions were that the Turner 320 was pretty nice as far as Chinese lathes go. It looked immediately a notch better in fit and finish than the Hare and Forbes machines. The friendly salesman ran the motor...the motor/gearbox ran quietly with no vibration...but then again it wasn't doing any work. It is a single phase machine only, which may or may not be what you eventually want. A QC tool holder is available...I think the foot brake is standard.

The machines I saw didn't have any rough castings or indifferent machining, and the oils seals looked good. The paint job had been done with more than typical care, although in an ugly shade of yellow/orange. I didn't get a look into the gearbox.

The salesman did say that the 320 was better than the smaller machine they have-it appeared to me that the price difference would have been worth it.

Standaco also sell Top Tech's series of small mill drills, as well as rather more serious industrial machines from King Rich and Kent.

TopTech had a large booth at the recent manufacturing show in Melbourne, almost unique among Chinese vendors. (Usually we never see the name of the actual factory on stuff we buy here). It appears that they are actually trying to make a name for themselves for quality machines.

As an aside, I also looked at a half dozen older machines...Colchesters and a couple of Taiwanese things. They were all around $3,000, but had expensive repairs needed. Worn ways and visible slop in hand wheels/slides. Your choice seems to be a basket case lathe that would be unaffordable if new, or a new Asian lathe. Among the Chinese (as distinct from the higher dollar Taiwanese) machines, the Top Tech looked pretty good.

I have read stories about a new "fresh off the pallet" machine being much cruder than a tarted-up showroom one...but I would be surprised if that happened with these guys. Perhaps something to mention when buying to ensure there are no 'misunderstandings'?

I would have considered buying one of these but I instead chose a smaller but very heavy old toolroom lathe as a restoration project. Machine restoration is an enjoyable part of my hobby, but this course obviously is not for everyone

Thanks Grahame for the information and picture. Btw, I am not presently looking to buy but I was just interested to see if there were any advice/thoughts of this machine and particularly the company.

Thanks very much Gregory for sharing your opinions and recent experiences. Did you see the "TOP TECH" machine anywhere else in Melbourne apart from at the show? I have seen a couple of Colchesters in recent times but felt they were overpriced for the age and condition they were in.

Cheers
MH

Originally Posted by Metal Head

Thanks very much Gregory for sharing your opinions and recent experiences. Did you see the "TOP TECH" machine anywhere else in Melbourne apart from at the show? I have seen a couple of Colchesters in recent times but felt they were overpriced for the age and condition they were in.

Cheers
MH

I have only seen them at Standaco, and the show. I think standaco may be their Australian agents?. The older lathes that I have seen have all led a hard life, and are now unloved and unwanted by their owners. I am still surprised by the high dollar that ancient Colchesters still get. I saw one that went for $3500 that had a cross feed so worn that the handwheel moved up and down an inch (!). In the end I paid more at a dealer, but it was the machine that I wanted-a rare find. Probably a lot less trouble just to get the Turner 320, but I like a challenge. I hope I don't end up eating these words.

Originally Posted by gregoryq

I have only seen them at Standaco, and the show. I think standaco may be their Australian agents?. The older lathes that I have seen have all led a hard life, and are now unloved and unwanted by their owners. I am still surprised by the high dollar that ancient Colchesters still get. I saw one that went for $3500 that had a cross feed so worn that the handwheel moved up and down an inch (!). In the end I paid more at a dealer, but it was the machine that I wanted-a rare find. Probably a lot less trouble just to get the Turner 320, but I like a challenge. I hope I don't end up eating these words.

Nah you'll be right (hey we are in Australia)

I would have bought an older toolroom lathe if I had been able to find one....saw a nice German one at a dealer but at $8k I didn't think so.
Ended up with an older Taiwanese belt drive which seem fine although belt changes are a PITA.
A Harrison V330TR would be luvly