Arc closure and popularity of Chineese lathes

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

Is the closure of Arceuro going to put users off Chinese lathes in general, or is there now enough knowledge in the community to help solve any issues with them, assuming that spare parts can be obtained. Will an upsurge in sales of them for spares or repair be an outcome. Will there be an increase in demand for older, but perhaps more straightforward to repair lathes happen. Or will it make little difference?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Arc were only one supplier, we still have Warco, Chester, Amadeal, Optimum and a few others to choose from so I don’t see one suppliers closure as something that will affect the market for lathes, mills and many other Chinese machines. The quality goes up every year and the UK or European options are so few and expensive.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Whilst we mourn the loss of Arc, and Ketan, what will separate the sheep from the goats will be the advice pre sale advice, and the aftermarket support provided.

I can think of one company, whom I have used for other things, but based on my experience, would never buy a machine tool from them. If my local branch is typical, I know a lot more than their staff!

Howard

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

Yes Howard I think that it was Ketan’s support that made Arc. With my original question I was also thinking of the second hand market.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

From what I have seen on here most of the problems have been with the speed controllers which do seem to be rather fragile. There are much more robust DC motor controllers around, such as the KBE ones, so perhaps an MEW article on upgrading the controller would be useful?  One could also fit a complete new motor/controller such as one of the Jack professional sewing machine brushless units.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

The speed controllers on the little 7 X 12 Chinese lathes like the one I have at home were very unreliable and a major upgrade to a circuit board designed and possibly made in the USA was carried out back around 2006. The only electrical fault I have had with my late board was the potentiometer/switch which I got from Maplins when they still had shops. ARC held stocks of both variations of the pot. Newer versions have the brushless motor with improved torque.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

I can’t say that they’re the same, but I got a Chinee DC controller for the carriage motor of the Hardinge HLV and that failed. Examination showed that one of the high voltage tracks was right up against the edge of the PCB and had shorted/flashed over to the case. I bought a replacement and out of paranoia, had a look at the PCB layout. Just the same. So I put a couple of layers of insulting tape on the inside of the case at that point and it’s still working perfectly.

 

Just a thought…

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I’ve had my Chester Cobra mini mill for 14 years, and my Chester Conquest mini Lathe for 11 years, both of which have done a lot of work, and neither of them has had any trouble with the speed controls, although I have had to replace the plastic drive cog on the Cobra mills motor. Both machines are still working very well, but if either one, or both, packs up anytime soon, I believe I’ve had most of my monies worth from them.

Regards Nick.

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