Seeking opinions on an Emco Super 11 (green)

[Magnus Forge]

I am relatively new to this forum and still looking to buy my first lathe, I have recently found an emco super11 (green), going to look at it the beginning of the week. The machine is suppose to be well tooled and in great shape??? I am wondering if anyone on here has some input they would like to share? Thanks!

[JCHannum]

They are an excellent machine, and tooling can include a milling attachment.

Some information here;
http://www.lathes.co.uk/emco/page8.html

If you look around on that website, there is also some very good information on inspecting a used lathe.

[nheng]

The Maximat Super 11 is a very nice machine. It's light in weight but is a precision machine. If you can, run the gearhead thru ALL speeds and listen to the gears. A little whine near the bottom of the speed range and at the top of the range is about normal.

If you can, check spindle runout, turn it by hand, listen to it as it comes to a stop. The bed is hardened and I've seen one abused by abrasives that looked good but was badly worn. A quick check is to run the carriage left and right while a dial test indicator, mounted on the carriage, contacts the only slightly used flat tailstock way. A few thousandths is ok but lathe level will also affect this reading.

One seller's "great shape" is another buyer's rebuild Den

[Magnus Forge]

Hey thanks for the input gentlemen, I appreciate it. I have been on Tony's site quite a bit since I have been on the hunt for the past few months for a lathe. Also, I have read quite a few posts on advice for newbie machinist's looking for their first lathe as well as the big "American vs. Asian" debate. I try to do as much research as I can and then ask for opinions from experienced people to round out the info. This is just a very new arena for me at this point.

[wmgeorge]

Hey thanks for the input gentlemen, I appreciate it. I have been on Tony's site quite a bit since I have been on the hunt for the past few months for a lathe. Also, I have read quite a few posts on advice for newbie machinist's looking for their first lathe as well as the big "American vs. Asian" debate. I try to do as much research as I can and then ask for opinions from experienced people to round out the info. This is just a very new arena for me at this point.

What is he asking for it? I paid $2000 to my door from a school in Kentucky. And then had to put another $300 into the gear box. Mine is 3 phase running off a rotary converter. It is an absolute joy to run, right on the money on anything I do. Much better than any China made lathe. BG

[nheng]

The latest red version of the Super 11 cost $9400 and was recently discontinued by Emco in favor of only larger and CNC machines. That's with no tooling.

The build quality is very good and the machine is highly maintainable. European castings, quality bearings and hardware, excellent fit and finish.

[Magnus Forge]

I have actually ran across two of them, one for $3k and one for $4k, waiting for a response on one, and going to look at the other tomorrow. I am also looking at a few SB's, a 9", light 10, and Heavy 10. Now its just a matter of deciding on which machine and for how much. If I get some pics, I will post them.