How much mill is too much?

D

deker

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
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So I spent today with a friend working on his lathe making some grinder parts. Afterwards, we stopped by his son's place (his son is a very talented machinst who works for the local water company in their maintainance shop). A while ago, when the shop he works in got a new mill, the old one got dropped in his driveway. He had intended to put it in his shop, but he hasn't gotten to it, and since he already has 2 mills in the basement, he's trying to find it a new home. He had wanted $1000, but made it clear that he would take less. It has a box of tooling with it (don't know what all is in it, I know there are some collets, etc. I can get a list from him I'm sure).

I have a new shop building coming up and have space for a mill (I had hoped someday to learn how to use one and have one in the shop).

So far, all good. The one thing that concerns me is that this mill is BIG. He showed me one of the collets and it was about 4" across the bottom. The table was probably 4-5' wide. I can't recall the manufacturer (I was in shell shock from the size of the thing) but I'll find out. It was made in the '40s.

Ordinarily, it would be a "nice idea, but how will I MOVE it?" situation. Well, it just so happens that another member of our blacksmith guild (and very close friend of the mill's owner) makes a living moving heavy machinery...

Then there was the "I dont' have 3-phase" argument...He has replacement single-phase motors that come with it...(the 5HP one is HUGE)

So, I'm a guy who knows nothing of how to run a mill, but has an opportunity to get a mill I could honestly deck an engine block on. It's a known good piece of equipment (he used it for 15 years before they bought a bigger one) from a known source.

So, I guess it boils down to one question. "How much mill is too much?" Sure it's overkill for slotting guards, but there's a LOT more I could do with it once Ilearn to use it. I have the $$, I will have the space. I'm just afraid that it's biting off a piece about 5000lbs more than I can chew.

What would you folks who have mills now do in my situation? Any advice?

Thanks,

-d
 
That thing sounds huge. Something you'd do engine blocks on.................for battleships!;)

I'm sure it's worth what he's asking, but the trouble is, will it even take smaller end mills, like 1/8, 3/16", etc.?

Maybe you could find a place to peddle it or trade for something more down to earth like an R8 colleted knee mill.
 
deker said:
I have the $$, I will have the space. -d
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This is reason enough to make the purchase if there is even the smallest possibility you might ever use it. A man can never have to many tools!!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D
 
Why doesn't anybody ever drop something like this off in my driveway?
Just the box of tooling is worth far more than $1000.

Mike
 
Remember you are doing small parts ,not engine blocks. This mill sounds way to big for your needs. You can do a lot more with a smaller mill ,like a bridgeport and it will be more user friendly,espicially for someone that doesnt have milling expirence. What you will end up with is a big piece of iron sitting in your driveway that you cant get rid of also. Save your money and invest in a machine you can use. Rember bigger isnt always better.:) :)
 
Bigger is not better here.It would become a table for other tools and a rack for your grinding belts.Get a mill suited for the work you will be doing.
A butcher knife will not do the job of a scalpel,if a scalpel is what the doctor needs.
 
Yes, what they all say deker, come and drop that big useless piece of steel off in my driveway.:D

Mike
 
Just to fill in a little more info. It's a Van Norman Universal Mill(does horiz & vert milling). I'm not sure of the specific model yet (waiting to hear back) but some googling would indicate that it would have to be a #50NST taper for tooling.

I'm still on the fence...I guess I need to talk more to the current owner and find out what tooling it has (for example,. if there's an R8 or Morse #2 collet that takes a way a lot of worry...I think...) and how well it will hold tolerances on small to medium work since that's what I'm likely to be doing.

Speaking of tolerances, what's involved in setting a mill up once it's been moved? I imagine everything has to be leveled and readjusted. How much of a PITA is that? Should I see if I can con the current owner into coming up and helping me set it up?

Keep the opinions and info coming folks, I still don't know what I'm doing! :)

-d
 
i have a bunch of cat 50 and #50 tool holders if you need them. if that machine is a #50 taper it is large.
 
14cm said:
i have a bunch of cat 50 and #50 tool holders if you need them. if that machine is a #50 taper it is large.
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14cm,

If I end up with this machine, and I'm right about the tooling, I'll have to talk to you about that :)

Thanks!

-d
 
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