Mill to complement SB Lathe Capabilities?

swells · Feb 10, 2008

I'M still looking for a small horizontal mill in great condition to add to my workshop.
This is my South Bend I found this last year, with aprox 20 hours or less of use on it.
I believe this little mill actually said "Thank You" to me, when I lifted the cover off and
in the same motion, turned and said "I'll take it" to the son of the deceased owner.
His father had told him to keep it covered with a drop light on and touching the mill after his health problems forced him to abandon his metal working hobbies shortly after he bought it.
He must have followed that advise, as the only spot on the mill was where the light was on the table and it almost all rubbed off. Not a speck of rust on it. The machine was never used again after the father passed away in the early 90's. I discovered this Mill posted on e-bay and knew right away, there was something special about it. It wanted a new home,
in my shop! After all the moving, and prep to power it up, I don't think It would be fair to ever cover it up again.
This is the imported H series, a TM 2 HC-W, sold in April of 1987.

Steve

Texas Made · Feb 11, 2008

Wow! Nice mill Steve. Is that the original paint?

Brad

swells · Feb 11, 2008

This is all orginial exactly as it came out of his shop, I wiped and sprayed it down with BreakFree CLP after I rolled it off the trailer and into the shop. There are a couple of slightly off color touch up marks here and there, but I don't believe he did the brush work, probably from shipping. The invoices and manuals for the mill, Servo power feed and the Enco vise were in the side door compartment. Also some tooling invoices, oiling notes and a few other items.
Several thousand dollars worth of mill and lathe tooling were also given to me at the time of pickup. I was told to take everything I could use, and I gladly did!.

Does anyone know if these were made by Millport? There is still an "M" in base casting.

Steve

stephen thomas · Feb 11, 2008

Quote: "Does anyone know if these were made by Millport? There is still an "M" in base casting."

Now I enjoy a good gloat as well as any, but this is getting unseemly

That cast in M usually indicates it was made in a Mehanite licensed foundry.

smt

swells · Feb 11, 2008

Stephen,

So, it has the Mehanite iron (didn't know the "M" was for that) AND it was made by Millport...har har
Maybe that's why it "spoke to me" when I pulled the cover off...

Steve

bentwrench · Feb 11, 2008

A question for you small grizzley mill owners:

I have been eyeing those for a while? I have heard horror stories form some poeple I know about small mill/drill machines, how are these for general purpose work? What is the biggest limitaion of ths SX# or similar types other than size? Also how is the build quality, servicability, and "fun factor"?

I really am looking at one because it would have to go into a basement. Thanks all.

Paula · Feb 11, 2008

We should probably scale back the discussion of "Asian-built, HSM-type" machines. This is not aimed at you, Bentwrench, as I'm as big an offender as any, and tend to "forget" the forum guidelines. Incidental references are OK, but any in-depth discussions should be curtailed, as they fall outside the stated purpose of these forums.

However, I welcome any privately-submitted questions or comments relative to the subject equipment.

Paula

bentwrench · Feb 11, 2008

These are a taboo? I didn't mean to offend? Don't think I wouldn't love a bridgport, or suitable american clone, I would love a Deckel if they weren't $$$$ in the states. But what elese could I buy and get it down the stairs with a buddy and a cart?

bikebuilder · Feb 11, 2008

Well, looks like Swells put that question to rest...... clearly the 'ultimate' companion to a SB 9 lathe!
Nice.

bb

jim rozen · Feb 11, 2008

" I'm as big an offender as any,"

As moderator you come as close to being equipped with the
kevlar/nomex suit as you can get.

Swell's milling machine would be a perfect companion to,
say, a 13 inch SB lathe. A tad on the overkill side
for a 9" lathe!

Jim

bentwrench · Feb 11, 2008

Oh I am sure it could be done, then when I move I would have to do it again, it would be easier to wait a few years, but that would be a few years wihout a mill. My 9" SB was cake to get down stairs, to bad no one made a bench mill with a knee, well I guess there are a few but they are hard to find. The lil grizzley mill would do my projects and for a few years untill I had a suitable place of a real mill. There is an absolutly gorgeous mill about 60 miles from me with 3 axis power feed and looks beautiful, but is is all of 3500 lbs.

Texas Made · Feb 11, 2008

Although I have not moved it yet, the Millrite I posted earlier only weighs about 1,200 lbs and can be broken down into several pieces, the largest of which would be the base casting. I am told the base can be handled with an appliance dolly. It looks like it will require about 4 x 5' of shop space. The pricing was less than the new Asian mills of lesser size. I was originally looking for a Clausing 8525 when I found this unit. The Clausing is even smaller than the Millrite, more like a drill press.

If you are interested in an American made unit, one could be found that may fit your sizing parameters. Althoug it is hard to deny the convenience of having a brand new Asian Machine delivered to your doorstep, especially with the availability of R8 tooling.

Brad

Paula · Feb 11, 2008

Texas Made said:
...it is hard to deny the convenience of having a brand new Asian Machine delivered to your doorstep, especially with the availability of R8 tooling.

I think you've nailed it there, Brad. And the freight cost seems far more reasonable than you can negotiate for a private sale. Many are leery of purchasing used machinery from remote sellers, of unknown repute, with "as is" terms. And even if the seller offers a money-back policy, the cost of freight both ways can easily exceed the value of the machine itself. The peace-of-mind that comes with an established, reputable business, is its own premium.

Though it may be difficult for some to comprehend, not everyone is blessed with a cadre of friends/relatives with strong backs, willing hearts, large trucks with low-boy trailers, flat-bed trucks, fork lifts, ramps, gantries, hoists, bobcats, front-end loaders, etc., who are ready at the drop of a hat for the next big machinery-moving challenge. To get my little bench-top mill delivered, I had to prevail upon a local tool & die concern to take shipment of the mill, and then it took three of their men to strong-arm the uncrated mill from the back of a pickup truck to a wheeled dolly. They seemed pleased to help, but I absolutely hate having to prevail upon others that way. But I'm perfectly willing to allow that others' lifestyles may make the purchase/ownership/movement/disposal of heavy machinery a less daunting prospect. They are truly fortunate in that regard.

Paula

bronto48 · Feb 12, 2008

I did not see anybody mention the little Clausing model 8520 vertical mill.

That is the "companion" mill for my SB 10L. I love mine and would not be without it even if I had a real Bridgeport or such. Think of it as a baby Bridgeport. On its factory stand, it takes up about as much floor space as a 17 inch drill press or so. It is a real vertical mill, not a mill-drill. Disassembled, the heaviest part can be carried down the stairs by two people. Mostly assembled, it takes 4 people to haul it up a flight (I know, we did that when I purchased it).

Do a search on Clausing 8520 and see other comments.

Kurt_W · Feb 12, 2008

I think there's one on fleabay right now...

Stu Miller · Feb 13, 2008

I've never been sorry I bought a 9" by 49" Supermax mill to go with my 9" South Bend lathe, although if I had it to do over I might opt for variable speed. Easier to do a small project on a larger mill than the reverse.

stogiepuffer · Feb 15, 2008

Mill

I picked up a Sheldon horizontal a while back to complement my 10" Logan. The Sheldon also has the Rusnok vertical head for it. Nice match for the hobby stuff I do.

jim rozen · Feb 15, 2008

Horizontals make an excellent choice for the space
challenged. I did not make that suggestion in the
beginning because usually there is such an unholy
clamor that happens, starting with the "But It Has No
Quill!!!" effect.

Yep no quill. It's a milling machine. Not a drill press.

Jim

Shad · Feb 15, 2008

I also have a little Sheldon horizontal with a Rusnok vertical head. Didn't get the base casting for the mill, so I built one of sturdy lumber, with heavy steel angle reinforcing under the top. I've added sides and a door so I have some limited storage in the bottom. Still need to hook up a motor to the horiz. drive, so I can use it. Have the overarm support, arbors, and collets for that, plus a full set of tooling for the Rusnok. Nice little rig for hobby work, and a nice complement to my SB 9"

jim rozen · Feb 15, 2008

Wait. That's not a sheldon, or a rusnok.

It's a hardinge (vise)!

Those are nice ones.

Jim

Mill to complement SB Lathe Capabilities?

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