Thread: Thinking about milling machines

Originally Posted by PDW

Standard on Emco FB-2 milling machines right from when they were first made.
PDW

Curious: Is the Emco FB-2 (and clones) the only mill that has a round column with positive vertical location?

Originally Posted by nadroj

Curious: Is the Emco FB-2 (and clones) the only mill that has a round column with positive vertical location?

I *think* at least one of the Arboga models did as well.

Never seen a Taiwanese/Chinese drill/mill fitted (by the factory) with one though.

Got to keep in mind that there are some potential advantages in being able to rotate the head around the column. Few, but some.

PDW

I found a mill locally but it's prob too big and too heavy but it's cheap, esp because of all the gear that comes with it.
Stanko machine, looks like vertical and horizontal capable.
It's 3 phase too. Is there any tricks for using 3 phase on single that don't cost an arm and a leg ?

Depending on the HP, VFDs are cheap and gives you benefit of variable speed/reverse and remote panel if you want.

You will need to look at the motor electrical box and see if it has 6 terminals so it can be wired Star or Delter, sometimes it's on the plate showing 220v/440v etc.
If it hasn't you either need a electric motor place to fish the other wires out or buy another motor that can be wired that way.

It's prob about the size of this one.
I wonder what it would weigh.
I got some photos of it but my phone's camera takes aweful photos. Might go back tomorrow with my Pentax.

That's a nice rigid mill, way better than a Round column

That's a nice machine. If the price is right then I would jump on it.

Simon

Yeah for sure.
It's not the one I looked at but similar. Same brand and might be around the same size..
Do you think maybe 300-400kg ?

I would say about 3 tonnes, be aware those Russian mills are really stout, and generally heavier than you think. What spindle taper did it have?

2 to 3 thousand kilo's lol

Originally Posted by phaser

Yeah for sure.
It's not the one I looked at but similar. Same brand and might be around the same size..
Do you think maybe 300-400kg ?

For the vertical head, sure.

PDW

Originally Posted by caskwarrior

I would say about 3 tonnes, be aware those Russian mills are really stout, and generally heavier than you think. What spindle taper did it have?

Oh crikey....That could be a problem then. I figured I might be able to talk the seller into delivery but we are thinking of moving house within the next 6 months, I assume that would mean a huge cost to get it moved again.
And the taper,...I did see some collet chucks etc, flamin' big and not morse either.

I've got a HM52 mill (around 900kg), with the ram and head removed I can lift it onto a box trailer with a 2 ton engine crane. That's a true 2 ton engine crane with thick wall tubing not this latest crap engine cranes machinery house sells.
That mill would need major dismantling for my 2 ton engine crane to move it.

If your going to be moving every few years a bench top mill is much more manageable, or if it's your last move wait to buy one or pay the moving fee.

The taper brings up a whole new thing, 30 taper are not to bad, 40 taper more expensive, 50 even more. The price goes up but so does the postage because they are so much heavier.

Originally Posted by Dave J

I've got a HM52 mill (around 900kg), with the ram and head removed I can lift it onto a box trailer with a 2 ton engine crane. That's a true 2 ton engine crane with thick wall tubing not this latest crap engine cranes machinery house sells.
That mill would need major dismantling for my 2 ton engine crane to move it.

If your going to be moving every few years a bench top mill is much more manageable, or if it's your last move wait to buy one or pay the moving fee.

The weight of 3 tonnes that brings up another question : the shed concrete thickness ?