Porper Vs Hightower
- Thread starter chipperd
- Start date
You can't compare them, they are totally different designs. The Porper B is a bench metal lathe and the Hightower lathes are much more portable.
So like I said you really can't compare them in any respect.
I own 2 Porper lathes, and I have used a Hightower Deluxe. I would not take anything way from either machine but if you want something with the power and precision of metal lathe you may want to look closely at the Porper.
Both have good service and both are good products.
Oh and by the way, you will most likely get many responses to your question. Before you listen to people ask them if they have any experience using these machines, it seems some people just like to talk without having enough experience to do so.
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I have not used a Porper, but I've almost finished 20 or so cues on my Deluxe. Chris is very easy to deal with. When you order something from him, you will get it as promised.
I have been using my two Porper lathes since the late 90's. I have spent tons of money upgrading them with necessities that make cue building easier. Rear chucks, aloris tool posts, new bearings, compound slides, quick release locks, as well as a couple secrets. I have been very happy with these lathes. Recently I purchased an inlay machine from Hightower and love it as well. I'm not saying anything bad about Don because he has giving me Excellent service but nothing compares to Chris's service because he is a cue maker and probably has experienced any cue building problem personally that you can come up with. I am very happy with both products. Because Chris builds his stuff on taig based lathes, parts are easy to find either from him or a million places online. With the Porper lathes, you have to order from Don or have it made which can be costly. Porper lathes also seem to me that they are a little more sturdy while Chris's lathes are more portable. Depends on why you are buying a lathe, for repair or building? Both are great products, especially all Chris's help and knowledge. Good luck with your purchase.
Both are good machines. Each has it's pros & cons.
Right out of the crate, the Porper will be easiest to use as it's chuck is far superior and the taper bar already has a taper shape set ready for a small adjustment on one end to determine desired pitch. It has top notch electronics to control the motors, which are also very good motors. It has a heavy lead screw but i'm not a fan of the way it interacts with the carriage. Fan or not, it works & people use the machines every day.
The Deluxe has come a long way in recent years. It now has a lead screw with variable speed DC control. It has a DC motor for the spindle, plus the original AC for versatility. It has a tail stock modded from a small metal lathe, which is a HUGE plus in my opinion not only because it's sturdy & hand crank control, but because it can be adjusted to absolute center if it is ever out of adjustment for any reason. The taper bar allows you to adjust the shape you want, which is good but can be a challenge for a newb. It has bearing rests that give versatility, and has two chucks mounted about 6" apart that make it perfect for facing off components before assembly. There's also a threading attachment available.
Both machines can build a cue as well as you are capable. If you want to pull it out of the box & build a cue, then the Porper will be the ticket. If you want to be able to live thread and adjust your own unique taper, then the Deluxe is it. All in all i'd have to say the Porper is most user friendly & heaviest built. The Deluxe is most versatile. Either machine will build cues and many great cues have been made with them by countless builders. They're both good machines.
Right out of the crate, the Porper will be easiest to use as it's chuck is far superior and the taper bar already has a taper shape set ready for a small adjustment on one end to determine desired pitch. It has top notch electronics to control the motors, which are also very good motors. It has a heavy lead screw but i'm not a fan of the way it interacts with the carriage. Fan or not, it works & people use the machines every day.
The Deluxe has come a long way in recent years. It now has a lead screw with variable speed DC control. It has a DC motor for the spindle, plus the original AC for versatility. It has a tail stock modded from a small metal lathe, which is a HUGE plus in my opinion not only because it's sturdy & hand crank control, but because it can be adjusted to absolute center if it is ever out of adjustment for any reason. The taper bar allows you to adjust the shape you want, which is good but can be a challenge for a newb. It has bearing rests that give versatility, and has two chucks mounted about 6" apart that make it perfect for facing off components before assembly. There's also a threading attachment available.
Both machines can build a cue as well as you are capable. If you want to pull it out of the box & build a cue, then the Porper will be the ticket. If you want to be able to live thread and adjust your own unique taper, then the Deluxe is it. All in all i'd have to say the Porper is most user friendly & heaviest built. The Deluxe is most versatile. Either machine will build cues and many great cues have been made with them by countless builders. They're both good machines.
Love your input
Thanks guys for all your input, I have a friend of mine who has owned a Porper lathe here in Florida for 20 years, he loves his machine, but the customer service with porper is terrible since Joe isnt there anymore. He needs a new saddle for his, because of wear and tear over the years and they won't sell him one unless he sends the entire unit back to California. Can you imagine the shipping on this back and forth, omg. All he needs is a new saddle, and it doesnt take a rocket scientist to switch it, kinda makes me lean toward Chris, never heard a bad word about him, just seems like the porper is a little more commercial grade. You guys are great, and I appreciate all your input.
Thanks guys for all your input, I have a friend of mine who has owned a Porper lathe here in Florida for 20 years, he loves his machine, but the customer service with porper is terrible since Joe isnt there anymore. He needs a new saddle for his, because of wear and tear over the years and they won't sell him one unless he sends the entire unit back to California. Can you imagine the shipping on this back and forth, omg. All he needs is a new saddle, and it doesnt take a rocket scientist to switch it, kinda makes me lean toward Chris, never heard a bad word about him, just seems like the porper is a little more commercial grade. You guys are great, and I appreciate all your input.
Kinda sounds like a personal problem to me, unless I am special. I have had a few issues over the years and the people at Porper (Don) have treated me very well on every occasion
I am kinda uneducated so please bear with me, but I do not know what a Saddle is? Are you talking about a wiring harness? If you are I can understand why they would not ship it alone. If your friends machine is 20 years old none of the parts are the same including the Motor, when I purchased my B-model they had just completed an entire upgrade of the the Panel, Motor, and the entire wiring harness.
So in my opinion the machine would most likely require an entire rebuild.
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Things to know about the saddle:
The main concern should be the center of the tubes on the new one versus the old one. The original saddle had a brass square block to work as a steady rest for the feed screw, The new one already has my secondary gear design built in to it, so if you are changing the entire saddle, It shouldn't matter what you have now except for the centers of the tubes.
Other accessories of importance:
On the wiring harness and boards, even though Creative inventions no longer has a contract with Minarik Electric, http://www.minarik.com/
You can still purchase P/C boards from them, On the forward/reverse switch, the little ceramic block mounted to the inside panel on the front, This piece engages the brake, last but not least the motors. Do a simple search through Google with the part numbers and you'll find them easy enough. Hope this helps.
Craig:
The saddle is the part that rides along the tubes with the tool post and all on it.
They are both good machines, No matter what you buy, you still have to make it your own and learn it's strength's and weaknesses as well as your own.
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Thanks for the explanation Mike, I still think they are having a disconnect somewhere I have had Zero trouble with Porper. In fact I just upgraded my Repair Lathe Motor, control box along with it's board and the price they charged me was not at all bad, however, I did all the work myself.
I'm at my happiest when I know nothing at all so I can't say. Just tryin to help. :dance:
Here is an observation that I have heard made in the past.
Take the Porper and the Deluxe Cue Smith and put them side by side and decide which is best as both have their advantages over the other one. That seems to be a toss of a coin to choose the best.
Now lay them side by side again, but this time lay 12 or 13 $100 bills on top of the Deluxe to make the price value equal. Do you still want to toss the coin?
Take the Porper and the Deluxe Cue Smith and put them side by side and decide which is best as both have their advantages over the other one. That seems to be a toss of a coin to choose the best.
Now lay them side by side again, but this time lay 12 or 13 $100 bills on top of the Deluxe to make the price value equal. Do you still want to toss the coin?
What does that have to do with the machine capabilities????? You shocked me by your post.
I think all he meant was that they can both produce the same results, one just costs alot more.
My Clausings can produce the same results as well and it also costs a lot more. Which one do I pick?
Anyone interested in the Model B that will be at the Super Billiards Expo, I will have mine in action and will be more than willing to show it to you. I'll be in the Mueller booth...
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No shit I am also surprised, no one in thread said anything negative about his product, oh well I suppose we all have bad days.
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even though Joe does not do anything with billiards anymore, Don is there to answer any questions you might have. I have never had a time when Don could not help me or tell me where to go to get the part I needed if he could not provide me with it. Also, if anyone gets time, stop by and talk to Ryan of Ratt Cues. He has used a Porper for years and knows all the secrets. He is full of knowledge when it comes to what to do's for these lathes.
At the same time, Chris is always there to answer the phone when you need him. Not only does he work on cues, he builds the machines he uses. I have never had a problem with him, he always has a workable answer that doesn't break the bank.
To answer your original question, which lathe is better, still depends on what you are doing with it. They both have their advantages. Decide what you want to do and how much you have to spend. Don't forget about service. Good luck
At the same time, Chris is always there to answer the phone when you need him. Not only does he work on cues, he builds the machines he uses. I have never had a problem with him, he always has a workable answer that doesn't break the bank.
To answer your original question, which lathe is better, still depends on what you are doing with it. They both have their advantages. Decide what you want to do and how much you have to spend. Don't forget about service. Good luck