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Vertical slide question for Mr John B. Standard..

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John Hill:
After embarking on my search for a vertical slide, then compound table, I was offered this:

.. for about 160 quid, not much more than a vertical slide would cost if I had to have it sent to NZ.

Specs:
Bench mounted with five speeds.
-416 to 2756 r.p.m.
-16mm chuck - No.2 ST3
-Cross feed: 190mm
-Forward and back: 90mm
-Motor size: 1/2 h.p.
-Size: 800H x 700W x 700mD
-Nett weight: 70kg


Oh dear, decisions decisions.... :scratch:

bogstandard:
Hi John,

I think we have discussed drilling machines being used as mills on here a while back.

It looks like a drilling machine with a very basic X, Y table fitted. Although it does look as though it might be intended for basic milling, as it has a semblance of a quill lock.

To even contemplate using it as a basic mill, you will have to lift the belt change lid, and see if it has a drawbar.

If it hasn't got one, or no way of fitting one, then it cannot be used as a mill, in fact it would be classed as dangerous to be used as such, the reason being, if it has an MT fitting that cannot be locked in with a drawbar, the fitting can be snatched out of the quill whilst milling, and bits of tooling can fly all over the place when it starts to break up. One of the reasons as well for using a proper milling collet chuck instead of a drill chuck. A drill chuck can easily be snatched off it's taper, with the same consequences.

So before committing yourself John, check out what I have mentioned first.

Not doing too well here are we, getting you on the road to milling.

I am only trying to help prevent you from wasting your hard earned cash.

John

John Hill:
John, that is exactly why I share my ideas and often rather confused thoughts on subjects such as this! :coffee:

I did lift the belt lid and felt the top of the shaft, it did feel to be hollow but its of rather small diameter, maybe only 10mm with four splines on it.  Certainly a very valid point for me to explore further.

I can get something that looks more like a 'real mill' for three times the price (which is not really impossible for me) though I had not anticipated spending that much so soon.  The one I thought might be within my reach is this one.

http://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/products2/?op=viewDetails&pid=139

sbwhart:
Thats More Like it John  :thumbup:

What you need from a milling machine is HP and weight and that seems to have it.

Stew

bogstandard:
John,

That one is a nice beast, I used one just like it for many years until I upgraded to my latest one. The one Darren has just obtained is the same type.

There are a few little quirky bits in their operation, but if you can live with them, they are in fact almost bomb proof.

Don't forget to add in the cost of basic tooling. That could be a rather high figure, so it might mean you saving your pennies a bit longer before going for it.

But don't discount the drill one just yet. A little more detective work might find it will do the job. An MT2 takes a 10mm drawbar normally, so your finger test just might show that it can take a drawbar. Time to start asking a few more questions. The lack of accurate scales might be able to be solved with the use of a few cheapo digital scales.

John

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