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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
    Posts
    208

    Default opinions on Jones and Shipman 540 surface grinder

    I may have a opportunity to buy a Jones and Shipman 540 surface grinder. What I am trying to find is a surface grinder for toolmaking, not production. I have no experience with surface grinding (i don't have one yet). I also have not been able to find a manual for this grinder yet, and most youtube info is video from used tool sellers advertising their ware. I have read the info on lathes.co.uk. The size of work this machine seems to be able to do sound good.
    Does anyone have any experience with these particular machines? Any opinion, advice or warnings you would like to share?

    Thanks,
    Peter

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,542

    Default

    Peter, I haven't used one but 540's have been made for decades so they must fit a need somewhere. As was pointed out to me, grinders generate grit, so the biggest thing to watch for is that way covers are good. Backlash in screws are another possible impact of grit floating around.

    Michael

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default 540

    Peter

    I have a 540 but have never fired it up. I bought it from the machinery dealers out near the Kangan TAFE the other side of Melbourne, the dealers had two of them , SAME PRICE . Mine was $1200 and I saw it running . The other one is still on their web site for sale but NOW IT IS $3000 ! The price has more than doubled since I got mine ! Has the 2nd hand machinery market changed in the last 18 months ? J&S offered a head re-build exchange program at one time, but that was many years ago.

    I have some manuals but they changed the design quite a lot during its production run . Mine has the power vertical feed fitted.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    They made a brazilian of them. They are a very well regarded grinder and last a long time thanks to the auto lubrication to the ways. I have an older one that has the plain bearing spindle, it was ex-government and only lightly used. I quite like mine. Very easy to use.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Kyabram. Vic
    Posts
    632

    Default

    I have a reasonably late model with the ball? bearing spindle. Manual down feed and has the J&S coolant system and grinding wheel profiler. Love it and is easy to use; even for a mug like me. There is still lots to learn though. I paid top price for what I think is a top machine from out of a closing down engineering shop. All the manual and cnc machines appeared to have been very well maintained.

    Copies of the manual are available from Lathes.UK; but are a bit pricey. Parts available from J&S, Andmar and another supplier in the UK. Grinding wheel hubs are also available from Sopko US and Taiwan Tools.

    Ken

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Blue Mtns
    Posts
    115

    Default

    The Jones and shipman 540 was arguably one of the best tool room surface grinders you could buy. If it's in good nic it will perform well. I've seen clapped out ones perform well.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
    Posts
    208

    Default

    Thanks everyone for the info. I am quite sure it is an older model from what I have seen on pictures and videos from ones that are/were on sale. From your comments I learn that there are two different types of bearing on the spindle. Can I determine which one it has without disassembly ( I am quite sure the seller wouldn't like me to take it to pieces before buying opinions on Jones and Shipman 540 surface grinder)? And what are the pro's and cons of each?
    It appears to have power feed up down (y axis) and some sort of special profile dresser for the wheel. On the pictures the front part of the wheel cover is missing, don't know if it is there. Shouldn't be impossible to make one if it is missing though.
    Don't know yet if everything is working as it is supposed to. I have asked the owner for more information, and am trying to make an appointment to go take a look next week.
    Morrisman, do you have a digital copy of the manual? If so I would be very interested to receive a copy if you don't mind.

    To be continued.....

    Peter

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    It would have to be old to have a plain bearing spindle. The whole spindle housing looks different for them plus they have an oil sight glass and filler plugs. The roller bearings are greased for life, flat on top for attachments and rounded underneath. Here is a video of mine with plain bearing spindle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHUORmZdveI

    99% of the 540's you see are roller bearing models.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
    Posts
    208

    Default

    I received some pictures. I have an appointment for next week, time do dig in to the specifics of this machine!

    Peter

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default

    That appears to be in reasonable condition, with the original factory paint job . Not flogged too death . I would buy it .

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