Little trip report:
I saw the machine in a small ads advertisement and the price was very interesting for the description. Asking price was 4100 E for the original paint little use machine originally from a model shop. Including the original manual, a 3 jaw chuck, a large faceplate and the original turning tip plate (dont know the correct term) + some Multifixes. A phone call confiirmed the original paint.
Now, such machine with original paint still perfect directly under the chuck seems exceptional. The pictures in the ad were pretty much useless for condition. Way too grainy.
I looked at the machine on my way home, which would have been only 30km detour, but on a Friday afternoon near Cologne, this cost me an hour in the traffic jam from hell just to get there.
When I finally got there it turned out what I had already suspected: the machine was repainted. Rather nicely done and not by the seller, but rather obvious. Also a shade too dark and inside the bed in red (???).
The machine was not abused, but had run quite a bit. The fragile aluminum plates this machine has so much of, were not horrible, but not so good either.
Not much wear on ways, but just noticable.
It was the "n" machine, not "nr" or "n3r".
I was scared of the electromagnetic clutches, as I do not need another project. I count 8 such clutches, 6 in the headstock and 2 for the feeds. The seller said he replaced one on another Graziano and it was easy and cheap. I remained sceptical.
The operation side is decidedly ungermanic. The crosslide feed lever will feed in when pushed in, but will not feed out when pulled out. Pulling out activates the longitudenal feed. Very unexpected.
The seller also has a Lacfer lathe (very impressive) and had the same problem, that operating both lathes makes them unintuitive, because they are so different.
As it is I did not have to "rescue" another machine, but if the machine would have been as perfect as hoped, I would have had no choice. These machines are nice and a bit artsy. Should have featured in Jacques Tati's "Mon Oncle".
I told the seller the machine was a bit too expensive for its condition (not really true, but true for my situation), to which he graciously replied that I did not have to buy. True statement.
At least I've seen a sag210 in the flesh now.
Martin
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