Denford Timeline?

[Davek0974]

Hi all,
looking at maybe getting into CNC lathes in a small way and the only affordable option seems to be a Denford.

Does anyone have any info on models - seems they have many, Triac, Orac, Mirac and so on, but i cant find a comparison anywhere.

I want an ATC option and an interface that uses regular G-code, is that normal?

Anything i should look out for?

Thanks

Dave

[andy_con]

http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/12674-Denford-Triac-ATC-with-LOADS-of-extras-(testing-the-water)?p=107897#post107897

[m_c]

I'm not sure on timeline, but all the lathe models they done are - Starturn, Mirac, Orac, Cyclone, Novaturn, Cyclone, ZeroTurn, and Turn270.

Zero Turn is the biggest, but all the zero machines are pretty rare (they were probably the most production orientated machines Denford made, but never really sold).
Then the Cyclone is the second biggest, and is probably the most common of their larger lathes

I've seen a few Oracs/Miracs for sale, but I've never really paid much attention to them, I think they pre-date the Cyclone though.

The rest are all smaller, so I've never really paid much attention to them.
If you want to do some research, check out the Machines board over on the Denford forum ( http://www.denfordata.com/bb/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=dcb9bfbdf8f4eb3c24e08fe87119cf9c ) as if you look in dedicated boards for each machine, there is normally copies of old sales brochures/manuals in stickied threads near the top.

[jamesgates1000]

I have a Fanuc based Cyclone with ATC, let me know if you have any questions.

[Davek0974]

What sort of price would a Mirac be looking at ? There is one but at £2000+ it seems a bit spendy for a tiny lathe?

Are they capable of any sort of low volume production use?

Anything to look out for?

[AndrewMawson]

Best buy the MIRAC Dave they are good lathes :)

ps my copy of your plasma table extractor under hood is working well !!

Andrew Mawson

[Davek0974]

Best buy the MIRAC Dave they are good lathes :)

ps my copy of your plasma table extractor under hood is working well !!

Andrew Mawson

LOL, small world ;)

No offence meant, i just have to be really careful with the pennies ;)

Not even sure i can fit it in the workshop yet, getting a bit tight in there.

Really want one though ;)

[AndrewMawson]

You could always set it up doing loads of knurling :)

(I'd offer you one of my cut knurlers, but they are too big on the shank for the Baruffaldi tool turret slots )

[AndrewMawson]

Could you fit THIS one in?

It's why the Mirac is for sale


25632

[Davek0974]

Could you fit THIS one in?

It's why the Mirac is for sale


25632

I would love to but i only have a double garage size shop and i can only just get in the door now :(

I dream of a little VMC with an ATC but cant fit that in either due to no headroom :(

[Davek0974]

You could always set it up doing loads of knurling :)

(I'd offer you one of my cut knurlers, but they are too big on the shank for the Baruffaldi tool turret slots )


We do seem to cross paths a lot ;)

Would that knurl be possible? There is no tailstock on the Mirac is there? So i guess a turret lathe style tool would be needed?

[AndrewMawson]

No there is no tailstock but Denford did offer one. I've even seen drawings of them.

Were I doing your knurl on the Denford (or any small lathe) I'd set up a tool as used in a capstan lathe where a roller steady and knurler are incorporated in one tool giving support as the carriage moves

[Colin Barron]

What about the Denford Easiturn 3. Not that many about but you should be able to find one in need of modern electronics.
https://www.google.com/search?q=denford+easiturn+3&oq=denford+easi&aqs=chrome.3.0j69i57j0l3j69i60.10016j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
They sit somewhere in between cnc toys and serious lathes.