On Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:35:35 -0800, Jim Stewart
wrote:

Ned Simmons wrote:


Though, personally, I prefer my Taiwanese HLVH with 10TPI screws. (I
can't resist an opportunity to tweak Karl Townsend g).

Is that a Sharp by any chance?

I saw one a few years ago and was impressed.
Beautifully built. I want one.

It's a Feeler.
http://www.suscom-maine.net/~nsimmons/news/Feeler05.JPG

I've heard discussions about the relative merits of Feeler vs. Sharp,
but I'm not sure it's anything more than a Ford - Chevy thing. I can't
find much fault with this lathe, and haven't seen a Hardinge for any
less than $15K (which is 10X what I paid) that I'd trade for.

The only problem I've had is the feed motor was intermittent when I
got it. There were a couple open connections to the commutator, which
I was able to repair. I think I've seen new machines that were
advertised as having a Bodine feed motor, like the Hardinges, so this
may be a common problem.

It'd be interesting to know how many actual mfrs of these knockoffs
there are. I've seen them branded Sharp, Feeler, Vectrax (MSC's house
brand), Wilton, Ganesh (despite the unfortunate choice of an Indian
name, it's apparently Taiwanese), and probably a couple others.

--
Ned Simmons