Thread: Kearns Horizontal Borer

I collected my S model borer this weekend , I have sent a photo to RC , as I am not sure how to post them here.

I will be making some tool holders and a mount for a lathe compound as I have a couple of jobs which are a bit large for my current lathe , (12 inch).

The ID of one hub is 13.57 inches as the machine was made when imperial was the norm.

Once I learn how to put pics up , they will appear.

Michael

Originally Posted by Mike4

I collected my S model borer this weekend , I have sent a photo to RC , as I am not sure how to post them here.

I will be making some tool holders and a mount for a lathe compound as I have a couple of jobs which are a bit large for my current lathe , (12 inch).

The ID of one hub is 13.57 inches as the machine was made when imperial was the norm.

Once I learn how to put pics up , they will appear.

Michael

Nice find. I am looking forward to seeing some photos. Was this the one on Ebay?

variant22

Yes , Chris (previous owner) kindly brought it up to Blackbutt Qld , to a mates palace .

Its about 1.7 tonne , nice size very good condition, I just need o learn how to put photos onto this site.

Michael

Originally Posted by Mike4

variant22

Yes , Chris (previous owner) kindly brought it up to Blackbutt Qld , to a mates palace .

Its about 1.7 tonne , nice size very good condition, I just need o learn how to put photos onto this site.

Michael

Congratulations - I have the bigger brother, an OA model with both boring and facing capability and about 2X the work area/travels of the baby S type. I always wanted an S type but realistically, the bigger one suits me far better for the sort of things I do so it's worked out well.

There's a couple other people here with horizontal boring mills as well.

PDW

PDW,
Have you fitted a chuck or faceplate to your machine , I was thinking about also making up a mount for a compound from a lathe so that I could use it as a lathe with a fairly big swing .
Michael

Originally Posted by Mike4

PDW,
Have you fitted a chuck or faceplate to your machine , I was thinking about also making up a mount for a compound from a lathe so that I could use it as a lathe with a fairly big swing .
Michael

Not yet, it's on the job list. I recently sold my Smith-Drum sliding bed lathe but kept the 28" diameter face plate as I plan on fitting it to the HBM. Not for a while yet, though. Too many other projects.

I've got 3 lathes left so until I need to swing something bigger than 18" dia I won't get around to using the HBM as a big face plate lathe.

PDW

Originally Posted by Mike4

I collected my S model borer this weekend , I have sent a photo to RC

Picture I got sent of the borer.

20150913_162937.jpg

Some more pictures from when it was listed on ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kearns-S-...-/111746714810

It is a facing chuck model... The Kearns S type seemed to come in facing chuck only, or travelling spindle only, although I have never seen a photo of the travelling spindle model.

You can face out with the chuck on the fly..

The type PDW and I have are travelling spindle with bolt on facing chuck with about a 24" square rotating table.. They are fantastic machines to own IMO..

Bruce Whitham has some Youtube video of this HBM in action, including making a tailstock/stay for it as his was missing. He would be a good source of information as he's a very knowledgeable machinist.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6H...w=0&shelf_id=0

Originally Posted by .RC.

Picture I got sent of the borer.

20150913_162937.jpg

Some more pictures from when it was listed on ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kearns-S-...-/111746714810

It is a facing chuck model... The Kearns S type seemed to come in facing chuck only, or travelling spindle only, although I have never seen a photo of the travelling spindle model.

You can face out with the chuck on the fly..

The type PDW and I have are travelling spindle with bolt on facing chuck with about a 24" square rotating table.. They are fantastic machines to own IMO..

At least his came with the rear stay. A lot seem to get separated & lost. Understandable as unless you're doing line boring, the thing is just in the way. I've taken mine off for overhaul & cleaning, doubt it'll be going back on any time soon. It was a PITA to get off as the power upfeed shaft was glued into the bevel gear assembly. Lots of penetrating oil, a block of hardwood and a BFH was required to convince it that yes, it WAS coming off. This after pulling all the gibs etc.

Mine has the stay geared (optionally) with the vertical head feed so, once you have the spindle bores aligned, you can raise/lower the head and the stay height remains synchronised. Nice feature if you're doing a lot of line boring I guess.

Nothing on these is lightly built; mine is over 3500 kg. The S type is the baby but it still masses 1700 kg or so and is massively rigid. I like the ergonomics of the Kearns HBM's better than the American pattern ones mainly because I'm left handed and it suits me better.

Power cross feed on mine isn't working ATM (wasn't when I got it) and I have the top rotating table off now. Next step is to pull the lower table off as well but I don't have any exploded assembly diagrams so I'm not quite sure what's under there. Got to ask Tyrone on PM.....

I can see a DRO in it's future - the machines are so versatile that it'll enhance it's general utility a lot.

PDW

Pete F ,
I purchased mine after talking to Bruce , he is a very approachable and knowledgable man.

We hope to colaborate with the work that we do on these machines.

Michael

I am currently cleaning up the electricals and trying to decide where to mount a VFD for the spindle , as I may put a second one on the table feed motor as well .

Has anyone fitted multiple VFD's to a machine ?

I am also sourcing a timer relay to keep the power off for three minutes as we seem to get a few brownouts and blackouts during summer , these can play havoc with electronics..
Michael

Hi Mike4,
Great machine you have there.
When you know the size of the VSD's you need, the details are on the motors name plate your best mounting the VSD's side by side at the top of your Enclosure leaving at least 100mm space around them for ventilation.
I would even suggest a fan and venting in the Enclosure as heat can de-rate the VSD. Your control wiring would operated each VSD separately.
If your unsure about how to design the control circuit there is plenty of help can be given by the brains-trust on here.

Keith_W

Originally Posted by Mike4

I am currently cleaning up the electricals and trying to decide where to mount a VFD for the spindle , as I may put a second one on the table feed motor as well .

Has anyone fitted multiple VFD's to a machine ?

I am also sourcing a timer relay to keep the power off for three minutes as we seem to get a few brownouts and blackouts during summer , these can play havoc with electronics..
Michael

Fitting multiple VFD's is no problem. My surface grinder has 4 vfd's, Wire the VFD's direct to the motors, and use the VFD start/stop/reverse control inputs. With a bit of planning you can keep all the machine controls original.

I like the look of your HBM, I wish I had the room for one...


Ray

I will fit one to the spindle motor first , that will be my learning exercise .

The current price of VFD's makes this more affordable.

Let you all know how I get on , I like the idea of mounting them side by side in an enclosure .

Michael