Chin Hung (Kingston) lathe... should I buy?

[Kent_323is]

Hey guys,
I'm looking at buying a Chin Hung (Kingston) lathe, made in Taiwan.
The guy wants $1000 for it and it seems to be in good operating condition.
What's the overall thoughts on this brand of lathes, and how do they compare overall to other more well known brands?
It appears to be 43" between centers, and around a 10" swing (20" diameter turning capability). It's a 1988 year, and perhaps a model HJ1100.
It's near my brother in Pennsylvania, but he can't go look at it until the weekend.
Is this a decent deal, or run away from it?

[digr]

I don't know anything about that model lathe but it sure sounds cheap!!!! For a lathe that size. Someone who knows should post soon.

Ted

[dubby]

Yeah, I've never heard of it either. Be sure to find out what it's power requirements are, if it's 3 phase and you don't have access to such, you might be getting a great deal on a bigger shop investment .

Just seeing the quick change tool post on there, I'd hope it has holders and some tooling to go with it. For gear that size, you're looking at a small fortune right there, and it may be in the area of the asking price alone. Everything looks pretty clean from the pics.

[trukfan]

When i was in tech school, we had a dozen or so lathes like that, but labeled with a different name than what you posted. I liked using them. They were pretty easy to learn to run, and threading was fairly easy as well.

[USMCPOP]

Looks like Chin Hung still make them like that, under the KINWA brand. Looks good to me.

http://www.kinwa-lathe.com/home/products/ch_e

http://www.kinwa-lathe.com/home/company

http://www.machine-catalog.com/adsl/catalog/821/05.htm

If that's equivalent to a Kingston HJ-1100, the new price is over $16,000. They seem to get good reviews by machinists.

[RancherBill]

I am not a lathe guy.

This one looks like your lathe. CH430 The levers and buttons look the same. I told you I was not a lathe guy.

http://www.combitech.com.tw/chinhung/ch430.htm

[milomilo]

Can't tell from pics but if the ways are good, the rest looks OK from the pics. Can you get a list of tooling that comes with it? That would be a big $ item if it has no tooling.

[Roundrocktom]

If it is under power, and can be used to turn some inspection bars.... just snag it.

Every so often you find shops who just need to move out old iron to make room for new CNC stuff. In person is great, with luck there is a bunch of 'stuff' they don't need but let you haul off with it (ahem 10" four jaw chucks aren't cheap.... but snag if offered!)

Most like three phase power. Make sure voltage can handle 230V (OK, 208, but often face plate is 230/460). We can show you how to get standard 220V hooked up with a phase-a-matic and idler motor to get up and running.

Don't know a thing about that lathe, but could be a screaming deal. Easy spend $$$ for chucks, tool post, tool holders, etc. Looks like a working shop, so get them to toss in at least one chuck (or faceplate) so you can make chips.

Tool Post and Tooling.... (new use-enco.com pricing, often you'll fine 15 - 20% off)
Phase II - "D" about $800 for post and holders
Aloris - "D" about $1300 for post and tool holders
Chuck -- two piece jaws. $1000 for a decent one.

[LKeithR]

Around here, for a thousand bucks, that lathe would be a steal--it wouldn't last long on the open market. When buying used machinery like that if the price is in the ballpark for you then overall condition is the biggest consideration. One thing to consider is that most of the Taiwanese made stuff is pretty good quality...

[USMCPOP]

If it's in good working order and not clapped out, its a steal. If the quick-change toolpost comes with it and it's an Aloris or Dorian it's worth $$ by itself.

Edit: I believe that is somewhat of a clone of one of the old MAZAK manual lathes, Mazak Mate or similar.