What lathe to buy?

response to hightowers equip.

By all means I'm not knocking chris's efforts and equipment as far as to say its not for anyone... I'm just very busy and use my model b for more commercial applications then just a few basic repairs here and there. but out of fairness, I had his little toy one he first marketed back in the late 80's early 90's so I havent had the opportunity to view his new and improved models....
But I do believe in first impressions especially in the "Business" world and considering the price of the typical lathe... I usually dont give a second chance to the same company whom I was dissatisfied with initially...
Once again I'm not bad mouthing Chris hightower, just wasnt happy at the fact that there was virtually zero accuracy in the machine due to its flimsy design, and lack of power, even for the basic of repairs....
I researched Joe Porpers Equip. and at that point and time it was simply the best on the market, and 16 yrs. later he still is leading the competition with several models to choose from. I am only offering my personal and extensive experience with these products and are not in any way receiving perks or monetary rewards for advertising porper lathes, only that they are what they are... "the best" and his service is above and beyond any I have ever encountered regardless of what you purchase... cases, tooling, cues, equip. etc.
By all means its you who has to buy it and use it, just remember one important aspect of it all, the machine will need replacement parts eventually and the quality of the machine will determine how soon, so please do your research, not only on the product but the longevity of the company and the cost of the replacent parts as well as the future service...
I personally have several thousand hours logged into porpers model b and this was originally the model "a" refitted and upgraded to the "b" several months later, so 16yrs it's been and its still running like a champ with the same motors and saddle, tailstock, spindle, etc.. only replacement parts i have had to get is a couple of worm gears for the saddle and 1 set of I/O boards to run the motors.... boards are very INEXPENSIVE and extremely reliable and well built, but of course everything wears out... Joe knows me very well and feel free to ask about my machine and he will be delighted to show his exitement to know his machines are out perforning the competition on consistency and reliablilty from his own genius design and tenacity to make a great product.
Good luck and enjoy.... it's a very rewarding craft and profession for those who have the passion !
Once again I hope the info is useful, and Chris, don't take offense we all have to begin somewhere and thats the beauty of improving on our mistakes and learning from our accomplishments.....

- Eddie
 
bubsbug said:
Unique product Inc are theives! (In my opinion)! Look at any thing they sell.

The hell you say! In my book, you make a serious accusation that I don't care to let go unchallenged here. The company that you call "theives" (by the way, if you are going to insult someone by calling them one of the lowest types of people, make sure you spell it right) recently donated one of their pieces of equipment to a benefit auction. Do you know who the auction was for???? one of their competitors mentioned in this thread. Some thieves huh?

You have every right to not agree with their pricing, or state why the equipment may not be suitable for your needs, give a technical review of your actual experiences, but your accusation is completely out of line. Calling a company/merchants thieves in a public forum is grounds for libel, are you prepared to prove your defamatory remark?

Kelly
 
I understand that price is always the issue but you have to compare apple to apples. You cannot compare the smaller repair type lathes to the bigger cue making lathes.

Cuemaking is expensive. Do not expect to it to be cheap and easy. If it was, everyone would do it because it is the greatest profession in the world.
 
WheatCues said:
... Joe knows me very well and feel free to ask about my machine and he will be delighted to show his exitement to know his machines are out perforning the competition on consistency and reliablilty from his own genius design and tenacity to make a great product.


- Eddie
How does one fix the tailstock being off from the spindle on those new Model B's?
 
Hey Bubsbug!

Theives? That leather wrap fixture was just the tip of the iceberg for the charitable donations of Bryan and Jim. You obviously don't have a clue as to what you're talking about.

Certain people, you included, should be very thankful that Hightower, Porper and Unique exist. I know there is a large portion of fulltime, part time or hobbyists out there that would not be involved in any part of this business if it were not for them. This is a place for advice and information and if the responses and comments can't be professional and courteous then simply don't respond. Keep the insults and slander to yourself because this forum is no place for it.

Merry Christmas

Mark Bear
 
JoeyInCali said:
Now, if I can get a cnc machine that does tapering, inlaying/making billets and v-pointing for less than 10 grand....

Hello? CueMonster from Unique? I have it... it does all that and more... $8500.
 
PetreeCues said:
Hello? CueMonster from Unique? I have it... it does all that and more... $8500.

yes~~~ unique products cnc machine and taper shaper are two of best
cue maker machine :D
 
bubsbug said:
The thing to remember here is cost effectiveness. Uniques products do an average job. Its the person working the equiptment that determins the quality. Unique product Inc are theives! (In my opinion)! Look at any thing they sell. UV light $10,000 come on, please. I ran into a guy from I think it was lebabon Indiana or something like that who suposedly was the desiner of this product and gave me one for $3000. Everything they sell is completely priced to high. I suspect that if they lowerd their prices there company would be more profitable because they would sell more business. Heck there linen press is $150. And for what 2-mapel handels and 3 Cam Followers. It might cost $20 bucks to make. All Im saying is that the cost of uniques products doesnt warrent buying because they have priced themselves out of the market. Just go to Cue Componets and read there reviews. Hightower is right in line with their product and cost. The real issue here is repair lathe. Let quit comparing apples to oranges. Throw out porper model-B and Unique's cue maker. They are not repair lathes but cue making lathes. If you want a cue making lathe buy a metal lathe and be done with it. Bang for buck it goes to Hightower.

Rediculous. Calling someone a thief is a little over the top. That booth they sell is MUCH more than a light and power unit, like the $3000 rig you mention. It costs a ton more to build, and you get functionality far beyond any other UV solution out there. If it's too expensive for your taste, then don't buy it... but in my opinion, this thread did not need to be a Unique Products bashing. I've done business with them in many aspects, and for many years, and they've been there every time for me, including the "cost effectiveness" category.

What the heck happened to you that you are so upset with them over, anyway? I would be very interested to know what Jim and Brian did to deserve this?
 
bubsbug said:
Unique product Inc are theives! (In my opinion)! .


Ok, we're going to handle this this way:

I'm giving you two warnings.

One for starting this flame and the second for a multiple ID. ( Cue-Healer )

Which identity are we going to ban?
 
Mr. Wilson said:


Ok, we're going to handle this this way:

I'm giving you two warnings.

One for starting this flame and the second for a multiple ID. ( Cue-Healer )

Which identity are we going to ban?
How about both and let's get back to constructive posts?
 
Mr. Wilson said:


Ok, we're going to handle this this way:

I'm giving you two warnings.

One for starting this flame and the second for a multiple ID. ( Cue-Healer )

Which identity are we going to ban?

Multiple ID's are the lowest...........
It's not like this is a new topic to debate...........
Maybe someday this guy will grow a set!
(if it is a guy!)
 
BarenbruggeCues said:
You have to watch that Sickles guy........he's a chick magnet!
Yeah, I was just waiting for his left-overs.
Must be his shaft slicker formula.
 
BarenbruggeCues said:
You have to watch that Sickles guy........he's a chick magnet!
...maybe in a women's prison with a fist full of pardons!:D :D :D
In all seriousness, 3 of my lathes are made by Unique...and I've yet to have one single problem out of all of them. They are high quality units that will run indefinately as long as you use them for their intended purposes.;)
 
Varney Cues said:
...maybe in a women's prison with a fist full of pardons!:D :D :D
In all seriousness, 3 of my lathes are made by Unique...and I've yet to have one single problem out of all of them. They are high quality units that will run indefinately as long as you use them for their intended purposes.;)
You mean you can't make baseballs with 'em?
 
JoeyInCali said:
I warned Jim Sickles.
When we were in Vegas, he picked up this chick at The Rio.
I warned you Jim.:D

I saw the other commercials about it staying there... but I didn't see the one that says "What happens in Vegas, JOEY WILL POST ALL OVER THE INTERNET!"

Some pal you got in that guy, Jim. =)
 
hightower

i have bought 2 delux lathes from chris. and have been very happy. chris has been very helpful in getting me started in the cue building experence. his equipment is top notch and his knowledge is very helpful.
 
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