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 Post subject: MDR Machine
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 2:57 pm 
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Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:50 pm
Posts: 194
I secured a mdr 103 for 1200 dollars, wont get it until mid April but I wont have to pay shipping either. I am just wondering if there is anything in particular I should look out for?
Pretty excited, this will be a nice upgrade from the old graves!


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 Post subject: Re: MDR Machine
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:01 pm 
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The MDR machines are a nice, simple machine, and capable of excellent cutting when properly operated. They are not however, a cut by the numbers kind of machine, so operator skill is important. They are very well build and durable so should serve you a long time.

From the pictures it looks like your machine is very complete. Also, it looks like a left handed copy of the MDR. If you are used to cutting right handed that might take some time to get used to.

Once you get it let us know if there are questions regarding getting it set up, dialed in, and cutting with it.


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 Post subject: Re: MDR Machine
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:42 pm 
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Awesome, thank you!
He said it was missing the water hopper and stand but he was going to look for it, along with a tray of dops.
Do you know the shank size for the dops 1bawana1?
The graves I use is also left handed, I wasn't wanting to switch either because it's really comfortable for me, so this works out great.


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 Post subject: Re: MDR Machine
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:00 pm 
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Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm
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Location: San Marcos, CA
Agree with Steve, I owned a MDR Model 300-C newer than this model, had very little differences, and I still have my pre-historic model late 60's early 70's. I learned faceting on it and then upgraded to the newer model. Used it for a few years and then upgraded to a Poly-Metric basically because it works well interchanging dops from our Jang machine, not because there was anything wrong with MDR. Like Steve said your going to have to learn the machines little quirks, there good machines but not perfect. Only thing I can advise is Index gears are not easily found, can be made. The mast track glide uses two brass keys adjusted by set screws, depending on how much use it has had can sometimes cause some mis-alignment in the mast tilt from side to side. Again a good machine shop can make new keys if needed.
The dops are standard 1/4" dops. The graves dops should work, but I think they are going to be a bit short for some situations.
Congrats and looks like you got good deal based on the pic.

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 Post subject: Re: MDR Machine
PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:08 pm 
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Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm
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Location: San Marcos, CA
I found a pdf file for the manual of the MDR model 102 I scanned a while back, which is the same as yours. The 103 was a desktop mount option where the 102 was portable mounted in a box. You may find some some useful info on the gibs and adjustments. Do not hesitate to ask us for info, happy to help.


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MDR-Master102.pdf [578.22 KiB]
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 Post subject: Re: MDR Machine
PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:56 pm 
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Great to hear :) Thanks for the pdf I'll put it to use as soon as I get this thing.
Dops, I can get more if needed or have some made. It's nice they are 1/4" since I have some already, if they work.
As always I GREATLY appreciate you guys sharing your experience! Thanks!


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