Had to choose between a Haas and a used Mazak last year

I was looking at a 2018 Haas VF-2SS and a mid-2000s Mazak Nexus 510C for the same money, around $45k. Went with the Mazak because the iron felt heavier and the local dealer had a good rep for parts. Three months in, the spindle drive went out and cost me $3,200 to fix... still glad I picked it though, the control is way friendlier for the complex parts I run now. Anyone else take a gamble on an older machine and have it work out?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_anthony1mo ago

Your Mazak is almost twenty years old and you're still second-guessing yourself? That $3,200 repair stung but you got a better machine. I ran a beat up 1995 Okuma for seven years before it finally quit. Paid $8k for it, put maybe $4k in repairs over the whole time. That thing could hold a tenth all day. My new Haas cant do that. You made the right call.

sean_cooper581mo ago

@robin591 probably rebuilt his Mazak with duct tape and prayers. That $3200 still hurts less than a new machine payment though.

robin5911mo ago

The Mazak is just built different. That heavy iron soaks up vibration way better than the Haas frame, your parts are probably coming out cleaner even if it stung you on that repair. Smart move sticking with it.