Looking for Machinery

[Squatchhammer]

Right now I am looking for an engine lathe and a B'port or clone Milling machine. I was hoping to find a Made In USA for new lathes but kept coming up with asian imports, mainly Taiwan. So with that, I was hoping for someone knowledge of a good standing lathe brand new that is pretty precise.

Also for the people that have knowledge of rebuilding lathes (since that's an option too), what is too much rust on what parts? I know the amounts to look for but I dont know what parts you have to rework/replace if they get to rusted out.

 

[Tamper84]

Well on the new stuff, the PM line has a good rep over at hobby machinist. On the rebuilding end, I have a Clausing 5429 that was shipped from Clausing in Jan of 59. Still works good. I would try to stay with a brand that is still around. I can call Clausing and get mostly everything I need.

Chris

 

[southalabama]

Check with ap_mech

 

[Squatchhammer]

Check with ap_mech

Is that someone on here, or is that a place to look up? Sorry if I seem ignorant about it but I only worked with the machines and not on them. If I do go the rebuild/refurbish rout, I was wondering how much would you be able to add features on older machines with and without machining special parts?

 

[zkling]

What size machines are we talking here? You say bridgeport clone so I take it you are looking for a full size knee mill? The grizzly lathes are pretty decent machine. Lots of companies make a good knee mill, prices ranging from mild to wild.

A few things to help narrow down your search.
-Budget
-Power available
-Experience
-Projects in mind aka use
-Location, location, location.

As for rust, you want to avoid heavy rust and pitting on bearing surfaces, commonly called ways. Rebuilding a machine can be fun and a learning experience in more ways than one. It can also be a gigantic money time and patience sink hole.

 

[bsg]

Right now I am looking for an engine lathe and a B'port or clone Milling machine. I was hoping to find a Made In USA for new lathes but kept coming up with asian imports, mainly Taiwan. So with that, I was hoping for someone knowledge of a good standing lathe brand new that is pretty precise.

Also for the people that have knowledge of rebuilding lathes (since that's an option too), what is too much rust on what parts? I know the amounts to look for but I dont know what parts you have to rework/replace if they get to rusted out.

I have a 13 x 30 Monarch lathe in excellent condition for sale.
It does not need to be rebuilt, needs nothing and I'm local.
You can see the machine under power and delivery could possibly be made as well.

Biggest question is what is your budget and what are you looking for in a lathe?

Let me know.

Kevin

 

[PnHmech]

The company I work for just bought out another company, once we go through the move we will be selling some machines, don't kno how soon tho. We're in south jersey


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dr_clyde]

Seeing as how you're in my neck of the woods, I might be able to point you in the right direction. West Michigan has no shortage of nice machinery at a fair price. Check out VanderZiel machinery. They have a HUGE warehouse full of iron in all shapes and sizes. I've dealt with them before and they are willing to make deals.

 

[Parabellum]

State auctions are another one

 

[jake00]

Try Craigslist

 

[Squatchhammer]

Right now my budget is immaterial in the sense I have no space to put said machines. Mainly I wanted to keep an ear on the ground for pricing, quality/repair, and what I would be looking for. I mainly would like a fairly decent size lathe since I had worked with Southbend Heavy 10's at school + a couple of kents. For Bridgeports and said clones, I really only worked on I supposed the standard?

But mainly looking for something I could do some large work with. I would like to be able to work pieces about a foot across to give you an idea but its not needed. Length isn't a big issue but if longer is better, optimum would be a 50" bed but no longer.

 

[Squatchhammer]

Seeing as how you're in my neck of the woods, I might be able to point you in the right direction. West Michigan has no shortage of nice machinery at a fair price. Check out VanderZiel machinery. They have a HUGE warehouse full of iron in all shapes and sizes. I've dealt with them before and they are willing to make deals.

Thanks for telling me that. Some of the machines that I looked at would be great. Now all I need is the space to put them in. I am wondering if anyone close by me that owns a machine shop would let me check them out?

 

[Squatchhammer]

Also, if I do find an older machine I would like to buy but it doesnt have a VFD, what would be the advantages and disadvantages of installing one. Also what would I have to do to install it in a general sense?


Also tooling, I was wondering what kind of tools would I need for starting out with newly bought machines. I know for a mill and a lathe, I would need a way to tram the head and zero out the vice and the jaw chucks for said parts. I want to know the bare bones minimum that I can start out with on both machines and then work my way up from there. I know I can make a quick change out tool and a few others for the lathe but for the mill, I really dont know what you could make. Also I am going to want digital readouts for both since I had used them for both (but the lathe I also used just a dial indicator for measuring the length of cut.) and scraped less parts in class using them instead of manual measurements.

 

[ttpete]

Also, if I do find an older machine I would like to buy but it doesnt have a VFD, what would be the advantages and disadvantages of installing one. Also what would I have to do to install it in a general sense?


Also tooling, I was wondering what kind of tools would I need for starting out with newly bought machines. I know for a mill and a lathe, I would need a way to tram the head and zero out the vice and the jaw chucks for said parts. I want to know the bare bones minimum that I can start out with on both machines and then work my way up from there. I know I can make a quick change out tool and a few others for the lathe but for the mill, I really dont know what you could make. Also I am going to want digital readouts for both since I had used them for both (but the lathe I also used just a dial indicator for measuring the length of cut.) and scraped less parts in class using them instead of manual measurements.

I'm in Dearborn. I have a Burke Millrite, later Powermatic, that is a vertical knee type mill. It's the same type as a Bridgeport except that it isn't as tall. R8 spindle, has power table feed. It comes with limited tooling, some collets, a chuck and vise. Also a variable frequency drive. It was in a university lab and saw very little use, so it's nice and tight. $1500, in garage, you move it.

 

[dr_clyde]

You'll be doing good if you can snag a tight, tooled up mill with a DRO for less than 3 grand.

IMHO, a lathe needs to be fairly large to be useful, but I have no idea what you need for bed length or swing. If you want a small lathe, $1500 can buy a lot. If you want a nicer toolroom lathe, you're looking at 5-8 grand for one worth owning with enough tooling to make it useful.

Deals can be had, but those are everyday "I need one now" prices.


BARE BONES TOOLING

If I was tooling up these machines, this is what I would get. There are cheaper ways, but I make stuff for a living, so I buy high quality tools when I can.

LATHE


Chuck: 3 jaw is pretty standard. If you need to, get a 4 jaw for eccentric turning or a 6 jaw for thin wall stuff.

Dial indicator and base. I like Interapid, Starrett and Mitutoyo. If your work isn't fussy and you want to save a buck, there are cheaper brands. I like quality measuring tools, so I get the good stuff here. NOGA for the base.

Trav-a-dial. You may not need one of these if your lathe has a DRO in the Z axis.

Tool holder of some sort. Aloris, and Dorian Tool make nice QCTP holders. These can get expensive, so look for a machine with a nice one already installed.

Turning tools. Left right and centered. I like stuff from ISCAR, but there are lots of tooling companies that make nice stuff. Familiarize yourself with insert geometry and what shape does what in what metal.

Threading tool

Parting tool. I would really recommend ISCAR here. They are the best. No question. Parting usually gives people grief at some point, why make things hard on yourself?

Assortment of boring bars.

Drill chuck for the tailstock.

Live Center


MILLING MACHINE

Test indicator. Again, get a nice one.

Vise. Kurt is the industry standard for a reason. If nothing else, get a good vise.

Parallels. You can get a cheap set. They aren't rocket science to make, so why spend ridiculous money on a set. They usually get banged up anyway.

Strap clamp/tee nut set. TECO makes a nice made in USA set for about $100

Drill Chuck. Jacobs or Rohm for keyed, Albreight for keyless.

123 blocks. At least 2. These can be imported. Again, its just a block.

Assortment of milling cutters.

Collets and toolholders. R8 for a BPort

That should cover all the bases.

 

[Squatchhammer]

Thanks for the advice everyone!! I wished I had the space and time to be able to rush out to that mill but that's how life goes. Also thanks for the tooling list, I'm writing it down on a check list with new pricing for the measuring tools. I do believe in the measure twice method since you can't really add the material back most times.

 

[Mooniac]

Look on bidspotter.com for auctions...deals can be had depending on who shows up.

 

[Supergleep]

You might also want to spend some time lurking over at the Practical Machinist forums as well if you've not found them yet. They have machine specific subforums with many old tool rebuild threads so you can see what others have bought and what they went through to get them functional again.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/

 

[dr_clyde]

You might also want to spend some time lurking over at the Practical Machinist forums as well if you've not found them yet. They have machine specific subforums with many old tool rebuild threads so you can see what others have bought and what they went through to get them functional again.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/

Be warned, the guys over at PM are professionals. They don't particularly like talking about home shop machines. In fact, there are rules against discussion of certain brands. Grizzly comes to mind. However, they are a knowledgeable bunch and you can learn a ton there. Just read the rules carefully and post with discretion.

 

[Jrican]

I'm no expert, but my favorite lathe at the tech school is a Summit 14. There are 2 there out of probably 20 or so different lathes. Really easy to set up, and opperate.

 

[JSharp]

Auctions can be a good deal also

 

[sasquatch12]

Check "Plaza Machinery" he has tons of good used stuff, been in business for quite awhile with a very good reputation, also carries lots of used parts.
Most all his prices are listed on line.