Asong power feed?

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

I just picked up a power feed from Warco in the sale, (it’s for my VMC mill). It’s branded “Asong” which I wasn’t expecting. I messaged them before purchase asking what brand they supply and I was told “ASGLS”. Which after a lot of research seems to be the best rated of the Chinese clones. This reflected in the price, being more expensive than the others.

There is little information about the “Asong” version on the web and what little I can find isn’t very positive. I am a bit annoyed tbh! 😠 But before I complain, I thought I would ask here first. Has anyone used this brand? Good/bad experiences?

[Peter Neill 1Participant @peterneill1]

Had this one on my Bridgeport for 20 years, got it from Warco way back then.
Look the worse for wear but works just fine, haven’t even needed to use the spare gear it came with.

[PeteParticipant @pete41194]

What you bought Hollowpoint, is it designed to be a direct bolt on fit to your VMC mill? If so that will make the installation multiple times easier. Afaik, the Taiwan produced Align brand is generally considered as only a bit less for quality and durability compared to the true Servo power feed units all these clones were copied from. And with the highest price for any of the Asian built power feeds.

The Asong brand I don’t really know anything about, but it probably should be ok since that brand has been around for awhile. Taking the time to do multiple trial fits and adding the correct number of shims to properly set your gear tooth engagement point between the small drive gear on these power feeds to the large driven gear on the mills feed screw is vitally important. I used a felt tipped marker to color the teeth on the driven gear to double check the tooth engagement on mine until it was correct. That tooth engagement point should be at least half way down or just slightly more on the tooth flank for the driven gear. Mine does use a steel drive gear and a bronze driven gear though.

If yours uses a Nylon or some other type of plastic driven gear which some brands now seem to have gone to, checking that tooth engagement should still work the same. If the tooth engagement is too tight, it will create much more wear, noise and far higher loads on the power feed itself up to possible failure of the driven gear or power feed. You’ll also lose power to the feed screw itself just due to the increased friction and drag. Too loose might be just as bad as the loads are then transmitted to just the outer ends and weakest part of the gear teeth.

This is a PDF for the Servo brand power feed units that might help or add to what’s generally pretty poor instructions for any of these Asian power feeds. https://www.servoproductsco.com/specs/9114_80495.pdf I can say for sure that a power table feed was one of the best items I’ve added to my own mill.

[andy198712Participant @andy198712]

It’ll be covered by a warrenty from them I’d have thought? Which would take the worry out of it for me.
That’s sort of what your paying for when you buy from a U.K. shop which is a plus

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Peter- knowing that you have had yours for 20 years relieves my fears a little.

Pete – the one I have is one of the many Chinese clones of the Taiwanese align one. Mine being branded “Asong”.

Andy – that’s partly why I bought from Warco. But I was expecting the slightly more expensive ASGLS version. I can get 2 to 3 of the cheaper ones for the same price from Amazon, AliExpress etc

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

Why not return it and buy one from another site eg Amazon?

Probably no different.

Stuart

[Author]

Posts