Anyone have a ( Millrite ) milling machine

[Bottlecapdigger]

I've been looking for a US made hobbie size milling machine and came across a Millrite machine. What can you tell me about these ? I would mostly be doing slots and maybe key ways . This one I found ok shape. Can't here it run, motor has been rewired for 220V single , no cord on it, power feed on the table is missing the motor, only has collets for it, down feed hand wheel Bent. Hasn't run in 10 years. Just wondering what you guys think it's worth? Sorry I haven't got any picks yet, After I left I kicked myself for not taking any pics. He wants 1500$. For that much there are lots of king and busy bee mills for sometimes less. What are your thoughts. BCD.

 

[ibedayank]

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/forums/burke-us-machine-tool-barker-machines.90/

 

[My Old Tools]

I have a Powermatic green version. Mine has the rapid down lever instead of the wheel. No powerfeeds. It was used primarily as a drill press in its former life so its overall condition is very good. Very little table slop. Seems to have plenty of power for what I need. I put a 6" Kurt on it. Speed changes would be easier with a VFD, but I don't change it that often. Overall I like it. I can load and unload it with my engine hoist. I made an oil gun and got all the oil ******* working. It's a real mill in a small envelope. There are parts available if you need them. Some are R8 and some are BS 9.

 

[w1im]

I bought a Burke Millrite about a year ago. It has the smaller table and knee and the rapid downfeed head. There no digital readouts or power feeds. The mill had not been used in several years and was somewhat dirty but in good shape. The scraping is visible on all of the ways.

The mill came with the original head, as well as a Bridgeport J head which has back gears and power down feed, unlike the Millrite head. I've got the original head on it now and plan to change over to the Bridgeport head once I get a chance to rebuild it.

I paid $1675 for the Millrite mill and Bridgeport head, along with some collets and some end mills. I've been very happy with it so far.

 

[mikegt4]

I have a US Burke Millrite (grey), it is a great home shop machine. They were available with a smorgasbord of options, 3 table sizes, 2 types of down feeds, several motors (even dual motors, side by side or end to end), 120v, 240V, 240V 3 ph, several spindle tapers, the list goes on. It is basically a 3/4 size BP, weights in at about 1200#. Far superior to the typical Asian mill/drill.

The price seems high for what you describe but that may be because you are in Canada. If it was in the states $1500US would get you a well optioned machine in nice condition.

The first 2 numbers in the serial# are the year of manufacture, 67123 would be the 123th mill made in 1967.

They came with 2 types of servo drives, neither is easy to get parts for.

http://www.lathes.uk/millrite/
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BurkeMills/conversations/messages

 

[zkling]

Nice small or home shop mill, just not a hogging machine. Slots and key ways depends on what you are slotting? Heavy ship drive shafts, probably not. Common home owner type equipment, it will be fine. They are a good gun smiting, model making, not too crazy car fabrication machine.

 

[My Old Tools]

I paid about $1400 or so for mine. I really can't remember but I think he was asking $1600 and came down. It is 3 phase and R8. It has the big table. Original paint in pretty good shape. No dings in the table. Came with a dill chuck in a collet holder, an Asian vise, and an Asian rotary table (both likely Enco). They tend to bring a bit more than most small mills and some Bridgeports because they are transportable, fit in a smaller space, and are US made with parts available.