Benchmaster Mill

[JG Owens]

What's the going rate for a Benchmaster vertical mill?
Thanks

 

[tool_scrounge]

Last on on eBay sold for $585 in So Cal On auction. Seems a bit cheap for what looked like nice condition . I would expect in the $750-$1000 range depending a lot on condition and included accessories

 

[JG Owens]

Last on on eBay sold for $585 in So Cal On auction. Seems a bit cheap for what looked like nice condition . I would expect in the $750-$1000 range depending a lot on condition and included accessories

Thanks. They don't come up very often around me (eastern PA) and I go back and forth between a Benchmaster and Clausing 8520. If I get a stand for the Benchmaster, it will take up as much floor space as the Clausing.

 

[tool_scrounge]

In general, unless you are working on only miniatures, get the biggest stiffest mill that fits. Everyone complains of small mills with chatter and not enough capacity. I personally like the Millrite (aka Powermatic) MVN, especially the version with the short 27” wide table. The Index 40 is also a popular choice if you have the space. The Rockwell mill is a good choice also, but the MVN is my top choice.

 

[larry_g]

I owned a Benchmaster years ago and the Clausing is a far better machine in both capacity and features. As for a small footprint machine consider the Index 40 or 55 model.

Index Model 40

Can anyone tell me about this milling machine? Pros and cons? It's 110v so that's appealing to me

www.garagejournal.com

 

[GeoBruin]

I went with the Rockwell. I had a bench mill with an r8 spindle so I had all r8 tooling.

It was a project (and it's not done) but it turned out to be a nice little machine.

 

[tool_scrounge]

So what condition was the tilting worm gear on the head? Usually they are cracked by the previous owner who forgot to loosing the head locking screws first.

 

[JG Owens]

I went with the Rockwell. I had a bench mill with an r8 spindle so I had all r8 tooling.

It was a project (and it's not done) but it turned out to be a nice little machine.

Nice restoration! That's an older model, any idea of the date?

 

[JG Owens]

Another concern I have is ability to move the machine. I've heard the Clausing breaks down nicely.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I have moved a number of Rockwell mills with my Dad. If we were lazy we used a moving dolly and a lift gate rental truck. Worked well. Remove the head if needed.

 

[Firebrick43]

Another concern I have is ability to move the machine. I've heard the Clausing breaks down nicely.

Engine hoist barrowed, bought, or rented will move one handily.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have moved a number of Rockwell mills with my Dad. If we were lazy we used a moving dolly and a lift gate rental truck. Worked well. Remove the head if needed.

We used a forklift ot load but just a cherry picker to unload. We did swing the head down during transit to make strapping easier and lower the center of gravity but we didn't remove it. Worked great.

 

[GeoBruin]

Nice restoration! That's an older model, any idea of the date?

Thanks, though I can't take much credit for it. I bought it knowing my dad would do most of the work since he's retired and has more time (and patience) than I do. Sure enough he stripped it down to the bones and went through every piece. Sourcing the bearings was the only real challenge. Otherwise, the only thing missing was the handle to lift the knee which I understand is common. There were some plastic replacements on ebay but as you can see he decided to make his own.

I don't know that I've ever found a definitive list of serial numbers but I seem to remember it being around '65?

Heres the tag.

 

[JG Owens]

Thanks, though I can't take much credit for it. I bought it knowing my dad would do most of the work since he's retired and has more time (and patience) than I do. Sure enough he stripped it down to the bones and went through every piece. Sourcing the bearings was the only real challenge. Otherwise, the only thing missing was the handle to lift the knee which I understand is common. There were some plastic replacements on ebay but as you can see he decided to make his own.

I don't know that I've ever found a definitive list of serial numbers but I seem to remember it being around '65?

Heres the tag.

It's interesting, when you look up the number 21-100 on Vintage Machinery there are no Delta codes with only five digits. However the first two numbers (21) in all six digit codes places the date of manufacture from 1942 to 1943. Not sure when Rockwell entered the picture but I don't think it was that early. In any event, it's a pretty machine. http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/DeltaSerialNumbers.ashx

 

[Firebrick43]

rockwell purchased delta in 1945 but I am not sure if they started putting rockwell tags until 46?

 

[GeoBruin]

21-100 is the model number, not the serial number. The serial number is two letters (which indicates it came from the Tupelo plant), and then the 4 digit numeric code.

According to Vintage Machinery, it looks like DG through DK serials (including my DH) were manufactured in 1965.

 

[bl00]

Last on on eBay sold for $585 in So Cal On auction. Seems a bit cheap for what looked like nice condition . I would expect in the $750-$1000 range depending a lot on condition and included accessories

What's the going rate for a Benchmaster vertical mill?
Thanks

Anywhere between $800 to $1800. I had one for awhile and would not recommend them. On a stand they take the same space as a floor standing mill. I have had an Atlas, Clausing, Millrite, Benchmaster, Rong Fu, Mattsson Zetterlund and others. I passed on another Benchmaster at $200. They simply don't compare to the better mills. They have no quill and a tiny work space. I would take an RF30 round colum milll over a Benchmaster.

 

[Maui]

There’s a Benchmaster mill being advertised locally for $1,400. They are nice little mills for working on small parts. I milled a new set of brass jaws for my Wilton bench vise on mine, and they came out beautiful. The mill itself weighs on the order of 250 lbs, so moving it is easy. To get mine set up I simply picked it up with my hands and placed it on my work bench. I’ve had several people ask what I want for it, and I refuse to sell it. It’s simply too useful. Mine came complete with a full set of collets. Often they only come with the collet that is mounted in the machine. And the collets are not easy to find. So that is something to look for.

 

[Death Row Dave]

I have been looking for one for years , nice find

 

[rsanter]

IMO, the only real purpose for a benchtop mill is a small basement shop as it can be taken downstairs easily

 

[Aaron_W]

Thanks. They don't come up very often around me (eastern PA) and I go back and forth between a Benchmaster and Clausing 8520. If I get a stand for the Benchmaster, it will take up as much floor space as the Clausing.

There is no comparison between a Benchmaster and a Clausing 8520, they are in completely different classes. Benchmasters are more in the class of a large mini-mill. Benchmaster weights about 200lbs, with a 6x14" table and 8" of vertical travel. An 8520 weighs close to 700lbs, has a 6x24" table and 12-16" of vertical travel depending on whether or not you have one with the spacer block.

I'm not putting them down, I think the Benchmaster mills are neat, but they are quite small.

Clausing is easily disassembled for moving. I moved mine by myself with the exception of the column, which was a 2 person lift (200-250lbs with the knee attached).

Rockwell 21-100 is another mill very similar in size and capability to the Clausing.

Prices on Benchmasters are all over the place. Occasionally I see them at a "reasonable" price but I've also seen them apparently sell in the $1500-2000 range which seems excessive to me for what you get.

 

[Maui]

IMO, the only real purpose for a benchtop mill is a small basement shop as it can be taken downstairs easily

Exactly what I did with mine.

 

[dougf]

Benchmaster's are super cool little machines. I have one in the horizontal setup. I haven't done much to it, but I'm looking for a 6" rotary table to put on it for some gears and a few other tidbits.

 

[TailGunner3000]

I have both a Clausing 8520 and a Burke No. 4. The Clausing is a very good machine. If I was to replace it, it would be with a Bridgeport.

The Burke is surprisingly versatile for a horizontal machine.

I would recommend either of these machines if you can find one.

 

[tool_scrounge]

If you want to take off lots of material, is it hard to beat a stout horizontal mill. I am fond of the Nichols tool room mills. Not as versatile as a Bridgeport but way stiffer. You can hog a lot of material fast with a 2.5” shell mill.

 

[Sandxssun]

Look what I just found here in town: a Duro/Benchmaster Vertical Mill! ca 1942. Apparently, the Duro brand was one year only, then changed their name to Benchmaster.
She’s dirty and missing the motor (I have an extra around here somewhere), but everything appears to work…
Can’t wait to clean her up…

I’m in the Los Angeles area…

 

[Maui]

Look what I just found here in town: a Duro/Benchmaster Vertical Mill! ca 1942. Apparently, the Duro brand was one year only, then changed their name to Benchmaster.
She’s dirty and missing the motor (I have an extra around here somewhere), but everything appears to work…
Can’t wait to clean her up…

I’m in the Los Angeles area…

I've had one for years. It is sitting on my work bench in the basement, and has been incredibly handy for milling small parts for projects. I've even milled replacement vise jaws on it. I hope you got all of the collects with it. If not, they can be difficult to find.