Dope
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2016
I'm posting here in Heavy Iron as that's all I own, machines from the 30s to the 60s. I'm looking for another similar vintage machine (since that's all I can afford). I am the maker of the world's heaviest swords and I have been machining the blades for a while, however it takes forever as I have to do multiple setups per blade edge/bevel. Sometimes up to 3 per bevel as my machines mostly have 28-32" X travels on them. With most swords having 8 bevels you can get the idea of how long all the setups take (weeks, sometimes).
Furthermore, with peeling 100-200lb+ off of each 500lb+ blade blank, I need a stout machine with a 50 taper spindle and 5HP+. I mention this because I understand that many knee mills can nod their heads but most knee mills are R8, maybe a 40 taper at best. The mill MUST be able to nod the head in order to do the angled bevels. I am currently using a 24x48" sine table to do these bevels but it is incredibly cumbersome, especially since I'm using it on a horizontal (Cincinnati #2 dial-type). I have to raise the table with a gantry crane, etc.. Looking to eliminate all that pain and annoyance.
Finally, if at all possible, I'm looking for all of this in as reasonably small/light a package as possible. I don't need some 50HP monster, 5-15HP is more than enough. Something that isn't insanely heavy would be nice too, as I don't want to risk my shop floor with a 20,000lb mill (nevermind the expense and hassle of moving something like that). You get the idea.
Cliff's notes: looking for dream mill suggestions. 60"+ of X-travel, table capacity 600lb+, able to nod the head (NOT tilt side to side, I mean in and out) and keep it reasonably sized and priced (like $10k not $100k).
I've been keeping an eye out for months and months but have not found what I'm looking for. I watch CL, FB, ebay, and every auction within a dozen hour's drive. It seems like Huron or Huron-style mills are probably the closest to what I need, their 2-part segmented vertical heads seem like they should be able to nod (if I'm visualizing it correctly). However, I've never seen one in person and can't find any that within a few hundred miles (and even then, they're smaller mills). Even the most basic leads might be able to help me with ideas. I even considered a planer or adapting a planer with a milling head but that feels like 10x the work.
Furthermore, with peeling 100-200lb+ off of each 500lb+ blade blank, I need a stout machine with a 50 taper spindle and 5HP+. I mention this because I understand that many knee mills can nod their heads but most knee mills are R8, maybe a 40 taper at best. The mill MUST be able to nod the head in order to do the angled bevels. I am currently using a 24x48" sine table to do these bevels but it is incredibly cumbersome, especially since I'm using it on a horizontal (Cincinnati #2 dial-type). I have to raise the table with a gantry crane, etc.. Looking to eliminate all that pain and annoyance.
Finally, if at all possible, I'm looking for all of this in as reasonably small/light a package as possible. I don't need some 50HP monster, 5-15HP is more than enough. Something that isn't insanely heavy would be nice too, as I don't want to risk my shop floor with a 20,000lb mill (nevermind the expense and hassle of moving something like that). You get the idea.
Cliff's notes: looking for dream mill suggestions. 60"+ of X-travel, table capacity 600lb+, able to nod the head (NOT tilt side to side, I mean in and out) and keep it reasonably sized and priced (like $10k not $100k).
I've been keeping an eye out for months and months but have not found what I'm looking for. I watch CL, FB, ebay, and every auction within a dozen hour's drive. It seems like Huron or Huron-style mills are probably the closest to what I need, their 2-part segmented vertical heads seem like they should be able to nod (if I'm visualizing it correctly). However, I've never seen one in person and can't find any that within a few hundred miles (and even then, they're smaller mills). Even the most basic leads might be able to help me with ideas. I even considered a planer or adapting a planer with a milling head but that feels like 10x the work.
