Show us your milling machine!

Discussion on all milling machines vertical & horizontal, including but not limited to Bridgeports, Hardinge, South Bend, Clausing, Van Norman, including imports.

Moderators: GlennW, Harold_V

Sunset Machine
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:33 am
Location: Washington State

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by Sunset Machine »

Here's a sketch from a 1904 B&S catalog showing the head on the left. The Asians still make these heads today, and I have seen righty's as a special order. The B&S is a left hand machine, the majority of table controls are there. The spindle even has a left hand threaded nose.
Attachments
1904 B&S No.2.jpg
pete
Posts: 2518
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:04 am

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by pete »

I'm always interested in the older machines as well. Unfortunately my shop floor and it's size can't take the larger and heavier machines or that's what I'd have. And I've got a real soft spot for universals, shapers, and planers as well. :-) Have to agree with Spro also. The new machines are just machines.
Jawn
Posts: 283
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:39 pm
Location: Canton, GA

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by Jawn »

Here's my HF mill/drill... WTTool stand and Enco power feed.
20150710_191553.jpg
Pb57
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2016 11:15 am

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by Pb57 »

Here is my Acer mill I bought last summer. Equipped with Newall DRO.
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image.jpeg
Jawn
Posts: 283
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:39 pm
Location: Canton, GA

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by Jawn »

Nice Acer.

^^ My HF cheapie pales in comparison. But I figure it's better than no mill. :mrgreen:
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WesHowe
Posts: 176
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:52 am
Location: Huntsville, Texas

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by WesHowe »

Jawn wrote:But I figure it's better than no mill.
And right you are. The education you will get on that mill will be worth the price of the mill, even if you sell it for scrap when you get your next one.

Oh yes you will, you're addicted now. :)

- Wes
Pb57
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2016 11:15 am

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by Pb57 »

Yes it is better then no mill. I used to have a welding and small machine shop years ago. I then got into law enforcement but kept my lathe and mill as well as other equipment. I did a lot of restorations on anything old and mechanical. I got divorced 10 years ago and had to sell everything which sucked bad. I will be retiring in a few years and have now just got all of the equipment I used to have before the divorce. I just hope I live long enough to enjoy it again. Paul
spro
Posts: 8016
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:04 pm
Location: mid atlantic

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by spro »

Great milling machines! May they serve you well. Everyone has different locations and requirements so we aren't comparing Gala apples to Campari sweet tomatoes. One or the other is best at the time and place. Everybody knows this stuff but I couldn't get a full size turret mill into my basement unless, well, it couldn't happen. I was able to place smaller equipment, one of those being a mill/drill. It is earlier and has its quirks but so convenient to use, I would miss it. Something like the Acer (which is very good) is for another life or something. Can't say that either.
spro
Posts: 8016
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:04 pm
Location: mid atlantic

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by spro »

Something else about Sunset's pic of a Brown & Sharpe; the tie bars or overarm supports. This component is missing from turret mills and m/d s for reasons but they increase the stability of horizontal mills. The milling arbor/cutter is contained tightly to the knee for serious metal removal. More to this about m/ds...
Sunset Machine
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:33 am
Location: Washington State

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by Sunset Machine »

I've never felt the need for them myself. In fact if you look again at the pic of my mill with the head mounted, you'll see that the arbor support is inbound - between the cutter and the column - for visibility. Not the most rigid way to do things, but I like to watch.
dpaulson6354
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2016 11:14 am

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by dpaulson6354 »

Must say we just bought the same Acer for the robotics team at Granada Hills charter highschool a great machine and they give great service and price My only concern is we have all these short kids that cant reach the drawbar.
Dave Paulson
14 years doing First robotics
earlgo
Posts: 1795
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:38 am
Location: NE Ohio

Re: Show us your milling machine!

Post by earlgo »

You should investigate one of the air operated draw bar actuators similar to this one. They really work well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Draw-Bar- ... J8X1656PqA
(I just picked this as an example. Lots of suppliers have these.)
Or a foot stool. :lol:
Whichever fits your budget.

--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
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