Lets See Your Milling Machine and My Serial Number Question

[Mark in Indiana]

Hi Garage Friends,

A few weeks ago I acquired a Cincinnati No. 2 MH milling machine. One of the things that I love the most about acquiring old tools and machines is learning the history. This machine will perform both horizontal and vertical milling operations. It weighs 4800 pounds, takes up an 8' x 8' area, has every known accessory, and uses VFDs to run the 3 phase motors on a 220 volt single phase service. It's a new toy to learn on because I'm used to your typical Bridgeport vertical mills. So after the weather warms up a bit, I plan to clamp in some wood blocks in the vise and make some cuts to get a feel for the machine. Currently I've wired it up and ran the spindles and table. Right now it has as many knobs and levers as the Tardis (some of you will know what I'm talking about).

Posted are 3 pictures: The first one is the milling machine being pulled out from the previous owner's (a friend) garage. The second one is setting it on the tow truck. We used the winch and boom for lift and the wringer under the base. The third one is where we're transporting it.

Now my serial number question: This milling machine has a serial number of 5A2P1F-52. From what I've read about, the "52" notes that it was the fifty second machine made in a year. The "F" notes the year of manufacture. F would have been 1936. A "J" would mean a DOM of 1940, a "L" would mean a DOM of 1942. Does anyone have knowledge of the serial numbers to let me know if I'm right to wrong?

Lastly, if anyone has their own milling machine or loves the one that the use at work, please share pictures and stories about it.

 

[Strouty]

That is pretty cool, I just got a bridgeport myself. I am also waiting for it to warm up so I can get some use out of it. Not to change the thread, but what is the big box thing behind the mill?

 

[A_Pmech]

5A - Machine model
2 - Machine size
P - Plain horizontal
1F - 1938
52 - 52nd machine made that year.

I've never run one of that vintage, but I've run newer Cincys with universal heads. The #2 is a good home shop sized machine and capable of doing many things a Bridgeport can do, only better.

Make sure the oil pumps are circulating oil and the sumps are full. It looks like that machine received some love in it's recent past, but one of the mail causes of machine tool wear is lube system failure.

Enjoy your new machine!

 

[TurboCup87]

Hi Garage Friends,

A few weeks ago I acquired a Cincinnati No. 2 MH milling machine. One of the things that I love the most about acquiring old tools and machines is learning the history. This machine will perform both horizontal and vertical milling operations. It weighs 4800 pounds, takes up an 8' x 8' area, has every known accessory, and uses VFDs to run the 3 phase motors on a 220 volt single phase service. It's a new toy to learn on because I'm used to your typical Bridgeport vertical mills. So after the weather warms up a bit, I plan to clamp in some wood blocks in the vise and make some cuts to get a feel for the machine. Currently I've wired it up and ran the spindles and table. Right now it has as many knobs and levers as the Tardis (some of you will know what I'm talking about).

Posted are 3 pictures: The first one is the milling machine being pulled out from the previous owner's (a friend) garage. The second one is setting it on the tow truck. We used the winch and boom for lift and the wringer under the base. The third one is where we're transporting it.

Now my serial number question: This milling machine has a serial number of 5A2P1F-52. From what I've read about, the "52" notes that it was the fifty second machine made in a year. The "F" notes the year of manufacture. F would have been 1936. A "J" would mean a DOM of 1940, a "L" would mean a DOM of 1942. Does anyone have knowledge of the serial numbers to let me know if I'm right to wrong?

Lastly, if anyone has their own milling machine or loves the one that the use at work, please share pictures and stories about it.

Very cool machine. How does one find these things? I don't live in a metro area and don't have contacts in machining business.

 

[930dreamer]

Great find.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

That is pretty cool, I just got a bridgeport myself. I am also waiting for it to warm up so I can get some use out of it. Not to change the thread, but what is the big box thing behind the mill?

The box is a military generator. I think it's a 15ky with an Allis Chalmers diesel. Sorry, don't know much more about it.

 

[Strouty]

The box is a military generator. I think it's a 15ky with an Allis Chalmers diesel. Sorry, don't know much Morea out.

Thanks, I figured that it was something cool. I always like stuff like that.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

5A - Machine model
2 - Machine size
P - Plain horizontal
1F - 1938
52 - 52nd machine made that year.

I've never run one of that vintage, but I've run newer Cincys with universal heads. The #2 is a good home shop sized machine and capable of doing many things a Bridgeport can do, only better.

Make sure the oil pumps are circulating oil and the sumps are full. It looks like that machine received some love in it's recent past, but one of the mail causes of machine tool wear is lube system failure.

Enjoy your new machine!

Sounds like you know a few facts about the serial number. How does 1F one out to 1938?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Very cool machine. How does one find these things? I don't live in a metro area and don't have contacts in machining business.

I don't know what part of WV that you live in but I believe that it can be harder to find industrial machinery in a more rural area. This mill originally cams from a GAF plant in Mt. Vernon, IN.

 

[TurboCup87]

I don't know what part of WV that you live in but I believe that it can be harder to find industrial machinery in a more rural area. This mill originally cams from a GAF plant in Mt. Vernon, IN.

Huntington. 55k population. One of two biggest cities in the state, but obviously not big. Used to be quite a bit of manufacturing here, but it has been disappearing for the last 40 years.

 

[A_Pmech]

Sounds like you know a few facts about the serial number. How does 1F one out to 1938?

There is no "code", they decided to start out with 1A in 1933 and went from there.

Speaking of accessories, did you get the rack cutting attachment?

 

[dr_clyde]

I have a mill like that cinci. They are pretty versatile machines. Welcome to the club!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

There is no "code", they decided to start out with 1A in 1933 and went from there.

Speaking of accessories, did you get the rack cutting attachment?

If it's like a spin jig that mounts on the table, then no.
However, I have several horiz. shafts, collets, various cutters, stabilizing bars, clamps and vises.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I have a mill like that cinci. They are pretty versatile machines. Welcome to the club!

Please post a picture.

 

[A_Pmech]

If it's like a spin jig that mounts on the table, then no.
However, I have several horiz. shafts, collets, various cutters, stabilizing bars, clamps and vises.

OK, my envy has died down a bit. When you said "every known accessory" I though perhaps you'd found one of those rare "bought everything in the catalog and let most of them sit on the shelf" deals.

The rack attachment is the rarest of all B&S milling machine accessories:

 

[Mark in Indiana]

^ Neat looking gadget. Thanks for the picture.

 

[dr_clyde]

This picture is mid-degreasing. This thing was FILTHY. It's the only pic I've got on my phone

 

[Mark in Indiana]

This picture is mid-degreasing. This thing was FILTHY. It's the only pic I've got on my phone

Hey, that rig looks great!