Identify knee mill

[GreenMartian]

Lurked sporadically, jumping in with a request. I've been unable to determine make or much else about this smallish knee mill. Would appreciate any insight. No tooling and don't know what it takes.

 

[Erich]

That looks like a Hedwick. It was OEMed by Logan for a while. It has a reeves drive with the motor in the base of the column.
Mine has an R8 spindle.

 

[EmGo]

Looks pretty decent, actually better than a bridgie.

How about this one then ? Has a quill which doesn't show, also stout, could be german or japanese or a copy of or something the locals came up with. Could be soviet for that matter. Or polish. No telling. But I'm more inclined to think foreign or a copy or an 'under-license' or joint venture product. Not goofy enough to be truly chinese. I think I'd like one tho ...

 

[cranium]

Reminiscent of the on-steroids French Huron.

Huron (Hure) Milling Machines

 

[GreenMartian]

That looks like a Hedwick. It was OEMed by Logan for a while. It has a reeves drive with the motor in the base of the column.
Mine has an R8 spindle.

Thanks so much. Suspected that it used an R8 after measuring (or hopeful), delighted about that. Top cover with tach is unfortunately missing. At least I know what it is now.

Complete newb so right at the bottom of the curve. Runs but a good clean and lube is in order. Then instructions and some tooling. Appreciate your help.

 

[technocrat]

The Asian Huron is probably a Roku, made under license in Japan in late 70's when european manufacture became too expensive

 

[EmGo]

The Asian Huron is probably a Roku, made under license in Japan in late 70's when european manufacture became too expensive

That makes sense. Anyone here have experience running one ? They look like they'd be a good cross between k&t rigid and bridgeport versatile.

 

[James H Clark]

Thanks so much. Suspected that it used an R8 after measuring (or hopeful), delighted about that. Top cover with tach is unfortunately missing. At least I know what it is now.

Complete newb so right at the bottom of the curve. Runs but a good clean and lube is in order. Then instructions and some tooling. Appreciate your help.

I had one very much like it but no reeves drive. It also had a a B&S taper. It was also a no-name machine. I didn't keep it because of the B&S taper.
JH

 

[GreenMartian]

Gone around in circles, lots of old posts. Is there anyone on here currently who has a manual? Found the page with the seal and belt info. Mostly I want to make sure that I'm lubricating it correctly before running it. Going to have to replace the spindle seal as it leaks and flings oil.
Would also appreciate a few good pictures of the cover, since mine is missing.

Fun bringing it home. Brought it and the Bobcat from work. It was not completely confidence inspiring picking it, had to tilt back and then slow going so as not to tip forward. Quite a heavy little thing. Left it on the sturdy pallet so that I don't have to bend down to use it and can pallet jack it to move. Will build a better base eventually.

 

[Bill D]

FYI: A full size Bridgeport weighs about 2,200 pounds.. Each piece weighs about 200 pounds, leaving a 600 pound main column.
Bill D

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Gone around in circles, lots of old posts. Is there anyone on here currently who has a manual? Found the page with the seal and belt info. Mostly I want to make sure that I'm lubricating it correctly before running it. Going to have to replace the spindle seal as it leaks and flings oil.
Would also appreciate a few good pictures of the cover, since mine is missing.

Fun bringing it home. Brought it and the Bobcat from work. It was not completely confidence inspiring picking it, had to tilt back and then slow going so as not to tip forward. Quite a heavy little thing. Left it on the sturdy pallet so that I don't have to bend down to use it and can pallet jack it to move. Will build a better base eventually.

Has it got power feeds ? I can’t see any signs of feed levers etc.

Regards Tyrone

 

[GreenMartian]

It does have power feed. The pull down plunger upper left of the quill.
Not sure what the lever on the left side above it does. Right side lever is for the gearbox, high and low range.

As for the weight, 1800 lbs from what I read. I believe it. I had to remove the vice, otherwise picked as one.

Have to figure out how to replace the quill lower seal. Then lubricate it and the bevel drive and gearbox.

 

[cranium]

Originally a Rockford design.

Here a couple links:

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/10902/18072.pdf

Fenlind Engineering Co.; Rock Mill, Inc. - Publication Reprints | VintageMachinery.org

Fenlind Engineering Co.; Rock Mill, Inc. - History | VintageMachinery.org

 

[Erich]

Lever on upper left side of head adjusts the feed rate of the power downfeed. It is infinitely adjustable from about .001 to .005 inches/rev. Loosen red knob slide arm forward or back and snug the knob.

 

[abarnsley]

Often no lip/mechanical seal used on spindle. Total loss oiling can be a good thing.

Oil and contaminent particles run out bottom, instead of turning into a nice slurry... taking out $ precision spindle bearings.

Sealed pregreased precision bearings were an option for Bridgeport spindles. For woodworking type use. Shorter service life was expected.

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Originally a Rockford design.
View attachment 409466
Here a couple links:

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/10902/18072.pdf

Fenlind Engineering Co.; Rock Mill, Inc. - Publication Reprints | VintageMachinery.org

Fenlind Engineering Co.; Rock Mill, Inc. - History | VintageMachinery.org

I made the mistake of backing a “ Bridgeport “ into a corner like that once. Then I had to keyway a long shaft.

Regards Tyrone

 

[Erich]

Mine is in a corner like that, except the right wall is only 2 feet long and then there is a garage door. Long things go out the garage door.