Rockwell Type 21-100 Mill

[bmxdad]

Looking at a Rockwell Type 21-100 mill.

Been sitting for a while, table is tight, even with clamps released. I'm thinking it just need a good cleaning. No tooling.
I can scrape ways and gibs and straighten the screw if it's bent. Only thing I'd have issues with is if the ball screw is shot. Parts look kind of sparse.

What would be a good price for something like this, in rough condition. Noticed a few GJ'ers have them ... you like?

 

[IndyGarage]

What's the spindle taper on it? That would be a large factor on pricing it to me.

In rough condition - $200 -400

 

[1953mercury]

I think you mean lead screw. You won't find ball screws on that machine. Scraping, unless you are experienced, and have the proper tools, is not for the faint of heart, and probably easier to mess something up than fix it. There are much simpler ways to tighten up an old machine than scraping. I would take an indicator and base and check the spindle for run out, and X&Y for movement. In your neck of the woods that machine could pretty easily bring 1k, but it never hurts to make an offer. Mike

 

[platypus20]

I have one, mine has an R8 spindle, a great size for a home/garage shop, they are well built, the one weak spots is the fine down feed, not a robust design. The one shown is single phase, make it easy for the home/garage shop, unit has 6 speeds.

Mine came out of a trade school, sat barely used for 20+ yrs, then sold to a boiler repair shop, sat for 10 yrs, in shrink wrap, unused, I bought it for $500. In central NY state, I see them go for scrap value up to $2500, for one like the one shown. The size makes Rockwells and Burke Mill-Rites very popular for the home machinist scene.

ps: from the photos, it looks dirty, not in real shape rough does the table move smoothly?, go up and down?, is the table all gouged up? does it run, bearing noise in the spindle assembly?

 

[bigguns69]

Looks like it needs a good cleaning. From the pictures, it looks like it has been treated ok. I don't see any scars in the table. Doesn't look like it has been used hard. I would buy it in a heart beat. You can find parts if needed but I bet it's all good and a cleaning will resurrect it. In Iowa, a mill like that will go for $2,500 or higher everyday on Craigslist. Get it!!!!!!!!

 

[IndyGarage]

I would heartily disagree with anywhere near $2500. You can buy a good Bridgeport J-head for $2500 - and that Rockwell isn't close to a J-head.

It's closer, but probably not as good as a Bridgeport M-head, which are older, but can be found for $800-1000 in good shape. If it's an R8 head, that's an advantage, I might go $500 on it, otherwise I'd keep looking.

 

[bmxdad]

I think you mean lead screw. You won't find ball screws on that machine. Scraping, unless you are experienced, and have the proper tools, is not for the faint of heart, and probably easier to mess something up than fix it. There are much simpler ways to tighten up an old machine than scraping. I would take an indicator and base and check the spindle for run out, and X&Y for movement. In your neck of the woods that machine could pretty easily bring 1k, but it never hurts to make an offer. Mike

I've scraped a few machines, so that's not an issue. Machine is tight, but not a lot of backlash which leads me to believe that it's just gummed up from sitting. It is a single phase motor, which is a big plus for me. R8 spindle. Fine spindle feed looks to be missing the handle.

Thanks all for the information ... hopefully the price won't be to high. I'm hoping for around $500 as is.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I would heartily disagree with anywhere near $2500. You can buy a good Bridgeport J-head for $2500 - and that Rockwell isn't close to a J-head.

It's closer, but probably not as good as a Bridgeport M-head, which are older, but can be found for $800-1000 in good shape. If it's an R8 head, that's an advantage, I might go $500 on it, otherwise I'd keep looking.

There is a market for machines smaller than a bridgeport though, and they are MUCH harder to find.

I paid $800 for a US Burke Millrite, similar size, R8 about 6 or 8 years ago. It came with a decent vise and an assortment of tooling.

Phil

 

[matt_i]

That size is pretty cool for a basement. J head Bridgeports have a lot of spares for sale. That one won't.

 

[IndyGarage]

That size is pretty cool for a basement. J head Bridgeports have a lot of spares for sale. That one won't.

Walk-in basement maybe - that would be a challenge to get down a set of stairs. I bet the machine is 800-1000lbs.

 

[bmxdad]

Pretty close ....looks to be about 750lbs. But you could probably tear it down and do it piecemeal.

 

[bullnerd]

I've always wanted one of these.

Good luck.

Even if I only used it for drill press Id still buy it for the right price. A lot of flexibility in the head and ram.

 

[matt_i]

I helped put a Clausing 8520 in my Dad's basement. Take off the head/ram, take the column off the base, take off the table. Refrigerator truck with stair climber belts. A little sweat but its all good.

Scraping is all good but it takes a lot of time to machine and then scrape in your cast iron standards to go down in the dovetails. Great if you already have them hanging up

 

[bullnerd]

Well Dad?

Did you buy it?

 

[bmxdad]

I'll find out next week.

 

[Whitworth]

I would heartily disagree with anywhere near $2500. You can buy a good Bridgeport J-head for $2500 - and that Rockwell isn't close to a J-head.

It's closer, but probably not as good as a Bridgeport M-head, which are older, but can be found for $800-1000 in good shape. If it's an R8 head, that's an advantage, I might go $500 on it, otherwise I'd keep looking.

News bulletin: This isn’t 2009, the recession’s over. Can’t touch decent Bridgeport J head unless you’re talking $4500 and over. Anything less is worn out. M heads are hard to find, but figure $1500 good shape and that’s if you’re lucky, (really lucky.)

Rockwell verticals heads are always R-8. Figure $1500, maybe lucky to get for less, wouldn’t count on it. $500 ? get real, even decent condition drill presses are pushing $500 now.

 

[dr_clyde]

News bulletin: This isn’t 2009, the recession’s over. Can’t touch decent Bridgeport J head unless you’re talking $4500 and over. Anything less is worn out. M heads are hard to find, but figure $1500 good shape and that’s if you’re lucky, (really lucky.)

Rockwell verticals heads are always R-8. Figure $1500, maybe lucky to get for less, wouldn’t count on it. $500 ? get real, even decent condition drill presses are pushing $500 now.

Where Indy lives is much closer to the industrial heart of the midwest. Detroit, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, greater Chicago area, and other cities around here had so many surplus machines after the crash that it will probably take another decade for prices to creep back to where they were. Bridgeports for a few grand are quite common around here. Out in WA, not so much.

 

[bmxdad]

News bulletin: This isn’t 2009, the recession’s over. Can’t touch decent Bridgeport J head unless you’re talking $4500 and over. Anything less is worn out. M heads are hard to find, but figure $1500 good shape and that’s if you’re lucky, (really lucky.)

Rockwell verticals heads are always R-8. Figure $1500, maybe lucky to get for less, wouldn’t count on it. $500 ? get real, even decent condition drill presses are pushing $500 now.

Well, someone tried forcing it and now the table doesn't move at all ... anyway, we'll see what happens.

 

[IndyGarage]

News bulletin: This isn’t 2009, the recession’s over. Can’t touch decent Bridgeport J head unless you’re talking $4500 and over. Anything less is worn out. M heads are hard to find, but figure $1500 good shape and that’s if you’re lucky, (really lucky.)

Rockwell verticals heads are always R-8. Figure $1500, maybe lucky to get for less, wouldn’t count on it. $500 ? get real, even decent condition drill presses are pushing $500 now.

I watch stuff pretty carefully.

I bought my last J-Head for $700 in about 2012, and it was used but not used up - that was fire sale I know, but I still see them regularly for $1500.

The guy says the mill is in "rough shape" - that's just above scrap to me. Restorable, but not usable in current condition. No way that Rockwell mill is worth $1500 in my mind - but you are welcome to pay whatever you want.

 

[Slowboat]

I think I bought mine for $600, and there was a line out the door behind me. I love the machine for most projects. It is easy to break down into smaller pieces in a couple of hours (or less). They have gone locally for $2k here. R8 tooling is a big bonus, as is the 110. It has a gear in the back to tilt the head. Make sure that hasn't been mungled up, as it is a nice feature.

 

[bmxdad]

Well, the price is up to $1,350.00 and still another day to go.

Bummer

Washington seems like a desert for this type of machinery, compared to the east coast.

 

[bmxdad]

Sold to someone else for $1988, out the door.

Oh well ... I'll find one some day

 

[matt_i]

Time for a flight to Cleveland and a shopping session at HGR Industrial Surplus. If they don't have it, put a bug in a salesperson's ear about what you want. If they find it they can connect you to it for a fast sale. Last time I was there they estimated 50 full-load trucks came in and out of the facility per week.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I've bought several small shipable items from Lost Creek Machine. They have a BEAUTIFUL Rockwell there now. It's way out of your price range...but might be a bargain considering what it comes with:

http://www.lostcreekmachine.com/

I put an X-AXIS powerfeed on my Millrite and DRO and neither was cheap.

Both were well worth it though...the DRO especially.

Phil

 

[IndyGarage]

Sold to someone else for $1988, out the door.

Oh well ... I'll find one some day

Wow - well, sometimes I'm way off. I sure wouldn't pay that much.