Buyer beware warning

Hi, been a long time.

Just bought a tool from online auction site with the following description;

(Mizoguchi universal facing and boring head. Designed for performing the most precise operations, with the highest accuracy. Int 40 taper fitting, no damage or marks and a comprehensive kit of extensions and accessories. A superb piece of Japanese engineering and worth every penny as an investment.)

I received the item the following week and was devastated, the photos provided looked ok but there was no photo of the working face where the boring bars are fitted.

It turns out the boring head as been involved in a crash there a burr raised which has turned blue and purple.

On closer inspection this boring had been dismantled which is evidence by the damaged 3 screws in the top feeding ring. The feeding ring binds up and the lower ring does not turn for fine adjustment.

The boring head is actually Morse taper 3 fitted with an Int 40 adapter, I told the seller to remove the adapter to confirm this and he did.

I decided to try it out , the fine feeding button was pushed in while rotating both rings to engage the fine feed.

I run it at 50 rpm with the button in and could not hold the ring by hand I then used the small bar supplied and it snatches out of your hand. The fine feed does not even move the slide.!!!!!?

The lock used for boring does not lock anything whatsoever !!!!!?

I then decided the boring and facing head does not match the description at all, yes everything in the photos was shiny, but without the function, At the moment its a very expensive paper weight. The dispute is ongoing with the seller.

Yesterday I at last found a British company in Norfolk that deals with Boring and facing heads so I gave them a call;

I have told the following:

1: head crashed (I have detailed photos of damage)

2: possibly broke fine feed lever?

3: possibly broken gear train

4: possibly missing internal parts due to incorrect reassembly

5: match pair of gears not fitted correctly

I have been advised by said company that its only worth 50% of original price or less.

Possible problems parts no longer available, they would need to be made at more expense.

So the boring head is going back where it came from.

The boring head serial number is; Mu-3 H.E no.5599

Just in case it gets relisted.

I hope this helps anyone else contemplating such a purchase.

Manny

Right down to the S/N! That's how to warn a community.
I'd also find no hesitation adding specifics on who they are, pics of the head etc. Not being subversive, but a good way to transfer sensitive info is in a pic, without mentioning company, user names etc. It will be less concerning if you receive a full refund.

I own a number of Japanese made Wohlhaupter design boring heads (bought locally in Japan.) They were made by several manufacturers, I have Kuroda Precision units. If you are looking for a unit with a native Morse Taper 4, then they will typically be labeled UFB-4 or UFB-4S, and will be clearly marked on the front MT4 along with the metric retaining thread size. I believe they made tanged and tangless variants as well, so make sure you are getting what you want.

They are cheap over here as well, I picked this UFB-3 set up for $100 last week. Didn't need it, but