What's the next step for tight-tolerance turning growing a garage shop?

[Don't Look]

I've been working nights in my garage shop and getting more requests for small, tight-tolerance parts the kind of work that screams for a Swiss machine.
A full Swiss setup is obviously a whole different animal and not in the cards for my space or budget right now. For those of you who have grown a small shop, what's the next logical machine to chase that kind of high-precision work? I'm trying to figure out the right stepping stone, whether it's a high quality CNC turning center or a different approach altogether.

 

[cuts&circuits]

Swiss machines are incredible, but honestly, they're a bit much for a small shop that's just starting out. A good CNC lathe like the Tormach 8L or even a used Hardinge GT would be a much wiser choice. They're compact, super precise, and setting them up is a breeze! By the way, what kind of size and tolerances are you aiming for on those parts?

 

[kvom01]

In addition to tolerances, quantity and the number of tools needed are important. A machine with gang tooling rather than a turret seems to be what you want. Something like an Omniturn GT-75 with a collet closer chuck.

 

[Miles]

Need to know the numbers of parts and the tolerances needed. You also need to be able to measure the parts to check critical dimensions. 0.01mm is a lot harder than 0.10 in off the shelf machines.

 

[Don't Look]

Appreciate all of the great input! The parts are mostly small diameter brass and stainless under a half inch with required tolerances around ± 0.5 mil. And yes I am equipped to verify those dimensions.

 

[IVGrbn]

For tight-tolerance small parts without jumping straight to a Swiss, a high-quality gang-tool lathe or a chucker, or a small, precise turning center with live tooling is often the sweet spot. You get the rigidity and accuracy for those finishes and tight dims, and live tooling opens up secondary ops. It's a stepping stone that can handle a lot of what those small parts demand before you need to go full Swiss!

 

[Don't Look]

I've been digging into gang tool lathes and compact turning centers like you suggested. Seems like the proper next step for the kind of parts I'm getting asked to make.
Live tooling looks like a big win for knocking out secondary ops without bouncing parts between setups.
Are there any go-to brands or models that tend to hold up well over time and pop up on the used market? I'm trying to find something that won't fight me on tolerances 6 months in.

 

[viseclampcraft61]

Great choice, gang tool lathes equipped with live tooling really boost efficiency. Consider checking out some used Tsugami or Citizen models, they're dependable and do a fantastic job of maintaining tight tolerances

 

[Don't Look]

Thank you for providing the brand names. Your suggestions of Tsugami and Citizen match earlier recommendations for brands like Hardinge and Omniturn. I know both brands are top-tier and known for tight tolerances. I will monitor the used equipment market this year for a suitable machine.

 

[IVGrbn]

Hey, apologies for not getting to reply sooner! Yeah, you're right to be looking at Hardinge, especially their Quest series. Other great options would be a Haas ST or TL series, or a Doosan Lynx series machine. For a truly high-end machine, keep an eye out for a used Miyano or Citizen turning center, which are built with incredible quality. Before you buy anything though, remember to inspect it thoroughly! Check the spindle for odd noises, look for any signs of wear on the linear guides, and check for any play in the live tool holders. A good machine will pay for itself in short order with the kind of work you're chasing!

 

[Don't Look]

Thank you for circling back with such a detailed list of machines and inspection points. I'll be sure to add checking the linear guides for wear and listening to the spindle to my final inspection checklist before any purchase.
When you check for play in live tool holders, is there a specific indicator measurement that signals unacceptable wear? I also wanted to ask, between a Haas ST and a Doosan Lynx of a similar age, if one is generally known for having a more intuitive control for a smaller shop environment.

 

[graffiti78]

Hey, apologies for not getting to reply sooner! Yeah, you're right to be looking at Hardinge, especially their Quest series. Other great options would be a Haas ST or TL series, or a Doosan Lynx series machine. For a truly high-end machine, keep an eye out for a used Miyano or Citizen turning center, which are built with incredible quality. Before you buy anything though, remember to inspect it thoroughly! Check the spindle for odd noises, look for any signs of wear on the linear guides, and check for any play in the live tool holders. A good machine will pay for itself in short order with the kind of work you're chasing!

Thanks for the info! The Miyano and Citizen sound amazing, but maybe out of our budget for now. When checking spindle noise, is there a trick to knowing what's normal vs. trouble?