Need a little advice on a Mill

[dannyrocci]

Well I am going to take a look at this machine tomorrow afternoon and thought I would see if you guys have any advice or input on it. I have been looking for a smaller mill and thought this might fight the bill. Right now I have a little Chinese mill/drill and it work fine as long as you go slow and take light cuts but doesn't really look right next to my restore south bend.

I don't know much about these mills so would love to hear what you guys think and what things I should be looking for when I see it. The seller is asking 750.00 but there is room to bring that down.

Thanks for the help guys,

Danny

 

[abarnsley]

A Frankenmill, A small mill with a BP head (missing minor parts) attached.

That Van Norman in background, is 3 x the machine...

It is a 1 hp, step pulley Bridgeport J head, see link to right : Page Title

Can't see enough of mill from profile to identify..

Looks like only 2 bolts are holding head ON ... Standard BP uses 4, and is considered a flexible flyer with 4...............

Pretty rusty/rough looking. A set of new J head spindle bearings alone is around 300+.

Not a 750.00 machine unless it purrs like a kitten.. Or you live in a machine tool wasteland like Alaska, where it might sell for 1500.00 or so..

 

[wb2vsj]

Where did they hide the x-axis table hand wheels?

 

[aerodark]

Run the other way!

Just seeing the disarray the owner has kept his stuff, I say run. Fast. The other way.

 

[jockofthelowveld]

Wait for a real Bridgeport or Millrite.

That machine pictured will not be any more rigid and useful than what you have now.

 

[Rex TX]

If you are looking for another restoration project it might be interesting, but I'd try to buy it for no more than $400

 

[Johann Ohnesorg]

Not very impressive. Maybe spend 250-300 bucks on a good Bridgeport M head and marry it to your mill/drill. If it´s a dovetailed one that is. If not, sit tight for a Clausing or Millrite, you already got limited milling capability now and can afford to wait for a better deal.
I would consider the j-head the buy. The rest is only dead weight.

Cheers,
Johann

 

[dannyrocci]

Well just got back from looking at the mill and man is that a project. Besides it being two different machine mated together it is also missing a few things. The table is missing the x-axis assemble so that would have to be replace and or made and the head bridgeport head is mounted to a bracket on the dovetail so it no longer as any lateral travel from front to back and is mount so far back as to only have about 2 inches maybe 3 inches of milling room.

I told him he had a big paper weight and the most I could give him was a couple hundred. He said he would think about it and call me. I don't mind the project and to be honest sort of want one but this looks to be more trouble then it is worth.

Thanks again guys for the advice,

Danny