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CNCToolCat's Cat-House
Been busy at the Cathouse, thus no posts as of late. (I still read PM about every day though!) So, I picked up this 2012 Toyota Tundra regular-cab, long-bed, 2WD w/4.0 V6 back in August for hauling parts for the shop. Truck had 225k TX and SC highway miles, not a spec of rust, paid only $7K...- cnctoolcat
- Post #304
- Forum: Member and Shop Photos
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New Shop Concrete Thickness
Be cautious with concrete contractors, as they are generally not use to prepping and pouring super-strong slabs! Inevitably they will try to cut corners on the prep, and possibly shave an inch or two of concrete depth. I've never been ceased to be amazed by "professional contractors", there...- cnctoolcat
- Post #27
- Forum: Shop Management and Owner Issues
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How will China's new airliner fair?
A couple of major differences in culture though. The Japanese are a more honorable people, take immense self-and-team pride in their work, and compete vigorously but honestly. Chinese culture is different; they want to win at all costs, and cutting corners or being somewhat dishonest is not...- cnctoolcat
- Post #35
- Forum: Manufacturing in America and Europe
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FRL Units - Good/Better/Best ???
SMC is a Japanese brand of FRL's, good stuff!- cnctoolcat
- Post #8
- Forum: General
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FRL Units - Good/Better/Best ???
We've had good luck with the SMC brand here at the Cathouse. I don't think any brand is capable of "set it and forget it" for multiple decades...? ToolCat- cnctoolcat
- Post #6
- Forum: General
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Small shop startup. / FIRST TIME POSTING :)
Sounds like you have a solid background to be able to own and run a shop. Being in machine tool sales, you should already know who is busy in your region, and where all the work is at! You can buy a brand-new VMC or turning center for what the nicer SUV's and pickup trucks are selling for...- cnctoolcat
- Post #5
- Forum: Shop Management and Owner Issues
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Why should I get a Fanuc control instead of a Mitsubishi?
Fanuc was in the right place at the right time in the critical 1980's decade for CNC machinery. They happened to be the control of choice at the time for many of the Japanese builders that would eventually doom the American CNC goliaths to ashes. Fanuc probably has an ever-so-slight...- cnctoolcat
- Post #17
- Forum: CNC Machining
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SQT 250 MS overload on startup (intermittent)
This. Or possibly a failing encoder cable, that open-circuits at the one turret position? ToolCat- cnctoolcat
- Post #5
- Forum: Mazak
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Why don't you use conversational programming?
In life and in business, it's often best to "dance with the partner that brung us." Starting a shop on a shoestring with new cnc machines (easy to lease versus used back in '97), the last thing I wanted was a huge learning curve with the mill and lathe. After seven years of processing and...- cnctoolcat
- Post #45
- Forum: CNC Machining
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Why don't you use conversational programming?
Not all shops are doing complex surfacing and 5-axis work. There is still a lot of 2-axis lathe work and 2.5 axis mill work out there. We make money every day here at the shop doing it. I learned Mazatrol at my previous employer way back starting in 1991, so it was natural for me to buy...- cnctoolcat
- Post #26
- Forum: CNC Machining
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Mazak Quick Slant 30N CAM T4 rescue or retrofit?
Those values for your PS appear spot-on, so as '777 suggests, the PS seems to be OK. So time to dive deeper elsewhere... The monitor is driven by one of the NC rack boards, the FX715 I believe. A bad board can fry a monitor (or two, ask me how I know, haha). Good luck with it, keep us...- cnctoolcat
- Post #23
- Forum: Mazak
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Mori Seiki SL-25Y
What is the Mori SL-25Y exactly, a Y-axis, live-tooled machine from the name I presume? If so, '92 my be getting a bit long in the tooth for a fairly complex turning center?? At least know your way around a wrench, multimeter, and wiring diagram.... ToolCat- cnctoolcat
- Post #7
- Forum: CNC Machining
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NEED HELP- QT-15/CAM-2 won't power up completely
Sounds like your PD14C-1 power supply (PS) is going bad. Either swap it out, or replace all the capacitors onboard (a big job!) Failing power supplies are infamous for not powering-up initially, but eventually working after warming up. It's not always the actual DC voltages that will measure...- cnctoolcat
- Post #35
- Forum: Mazak
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Are Industrial market place's like Xometry worth the time for finding new work
All you have to have is an idea, and some business cards. Go around to all the larger machine shops in your region (they're usually somewhat easy to get inside of, have your safety glasses on). Try to chat with someone about helping them out with overflow jobs, or PITA jobs. Leave a card or...- cnctoolcat
- Post #30
- Forum: Shop Management and Owner Issues
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How is business for you right now? Busy or Slow?--GBI drops to 47.1
jettaguy, The VW/Audi aftermarket may be "dead", but surely there are others you could apply your experience to? The new Ford Bronco, Jeeps of about any sort, the new Toyota Tundra/Tacoma, ATV's, electrics...lots of enthusiasts out there with disposable income. I would imagine not all "want"...- cnctoolcat
- Post #19
- Forum: Shop Management and Owner Issues
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How do you handle one-off/simple parts on the CNC machine?
For turning and 2.5-axis mill work, Mazatrol is fantastic. Programs are efficient, short, and easy to modify. Each machining process is a distinct English-worded "unit" with fill-in-the-blank simplicity. If you don't have the CAD model already, with Mazatrol you're making an efficient program...- cnctoolcat
- Post #23
- Forum: CNC Machining
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Mazak SQT-15M nearly free to a good home
The Mazak SQT's of the 90's were tanks! Huge, heavy slant-bed frame, huge integral spindles, huge turrets, box-way tailstock/sub-spindle. The machines have user-friendly ergonomics: easy to reach into, control is slanted forward slightly and at the perfect height, and the slant-bed and large...- cnctoolcat
- Post #7
- Forum: Machinery for Sale or Wanted
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NEED HELP- QT-15/CAM-2 won't power up completely
Even though the electrical manual you have is not specifically for your machine, I bet a dollar to doughnuts that it's the same as the one you're buying. All those QT15's pretty much have the same electrical schematics, with the only difference being the control (T2, T32, T-Plus). The FX773 is...- cnctoolcat
- Post #31
- Forum: Mazak
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NEED HELP- QT-15/CAM-2 won't power up completely
Your power supply for the NC rack could be going out. It is a large, dark brown "rectangle" to the left of all the NC cards. It outputs multiple DC voltages. The symptoms you're having would indicate a failing power supply. You can source a spare or two to try on Ebay. You might also try...- cnctoolcat
- Post #25
- Forum: Mazak
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How is business for you right now? Busy or Slow?--GBI drops to 47.1
Here at the Cathouse we primarily serve the underground mining, and have been busy along with the industry. Most US underground mining is for metallurgical grade coal, as it sells for a premium. Although what's left of the US steam coal biz has been busy of late too, helping the US and Europe...- cnctoolcat
- Post #7
- Forum: Shop Management and Owner Issues