Fancy drill press

[rswyan]

You're right, the OP didn't.

Would be nice to know though .....

..... and I'd love to have one myself

 

[4shorts]

Would be nice to know though .....

..... and I'd love to have one myself

Well he basically stated that he paid less than $500. for it because he considered letting it go for $500. and putting it in the bank.

Just a few observations on my part.

- I've NEVER went to an auction where no one showed up. Not even during a snow storm.

- If I went to an auction and looked at a 3000 lb plus tool that I had no idea what it was used for I'd be very hesitant to bid any amount of money on it because I'd be afraid I'd get stuck with it.

Ah I'm just thinking out-loud. It's really just an observation on my part I supposed anything in this world is possible. Nice machine no matter how you got it. Before you do go with some kind of a phase converter research "static converters" There inexpensive but for a reason.

 

[sandman2234]

Static converters are inexpensive, and every says you don't get full power from them, but with probably 2hp, the original poster will have more power than he ever had, and plenty enogh to tear something up. Not trying to start a phase converter war, just mentioning that my 2hp Bridgeport has been preforming flawlessly since I bought it in mid 90's, and before that with the original owner on the same static converter. Not a bad investment for $69.
As far as the mill price, it probably was a good deal, but I recently bought a Maho 600C mill, which is a universal CNC machine. I was bidding against another previous employee who got the other one, which had a lot more hours/wear on it. Price was less than $500 also, but I didn't get a Kurt vice with it. Not going to be able to run it off a static converter, lol.
David from jax

 

[4shorts]

Static converters are inexpensive, and every says you don't get full power from them, but with probably 2hp, the original poster will have more power than he ever had, and plenty enogh to tear something up. Not trying to start a phase converter war,
David from jax

No me either BUT this link is worth looking at. a lot of companies won't even give you a warranty on a machine now if a Static converter is used.



Phase Converter Type Comparison Chart - U.S. Phase Converter Standards Organization

 

[rswyan]

Well he basically stated that he paid less than $500. for it because he considered letting it go for $500. and putting it in the bank.

That was certainly the impression that was left ....

Nice machine no matter how you got it.

Indeed !

 

[4shorts]

That was certainly the impression that was left ....


Indeed !

The expensive part starts now. THE TOOLING :shocked:. If he didn't know what a mill was starting out he's going to know what it is and what it costs to use it by the time he's done :laughing:

 

[JRP]

I got some help. An electrician will install a variable motor drive on it that will take my 240 volt two wire power and change it to three phase where the motor speed can change. The part is $190. The machine does take three phase electricity, which I don't have. The bid drive motor is 2 hp or 3 hp for 30 minutes? It will be set to go one speed because the mill has a crank to change the speed from the top outside.

The box is a computer that operates the three little motors. One guy came and got the motors to come on. The machine has programs in it and he started one, which moved the table around. The big numbers change as the work area moves and it looks really precision. The numbers are four digit, like x2.9678. I can't imagine that for tractor parts.

He also looked at the cutters. There are about 10 cutter holders that pop in and you twist a collar to make them come out. He said the holdes keet the tool the same length, so every time you put it in the tip is exactly the same place. The cutters are steel or brass colored and drill bits and chucks that are nice because you don't need a key. There are several boxes of cutters. He said all the gray ones are carbid athat is very hard and expensive. He also said I stol the machine, like I paid less that the cutters would cost..

I'll post a picture when the china speed drive comes.

Thanks for the website called Enco. I think it will be a good place to buy from.

 

[k0ua]

JRP, I did not mean to be disrespectful in my first post, I though you were just pulling our leg, did you not really know what the bridgeport was?, and did you really get it for less than $500?.. I though you were just having a little fun with us. Good luck on getting your Mill fired up
James K0UA

 

[JRP]

It sort of says I'm an idiot for not knowing.

 

[KubotainNH]

Nice find, I would think you could get some decent money for the whole setup. Anyone have any guesses on what it's worth with all the bits? I used something like that in high school, it was fun to makes stuff and really precise.

 

[CurlyDave]

Somehow I have the feeling that with all the computer control and programming, not to mention a manual thicker than a bible, it might be faster to make one or two parts with manual control. Of course if you need a thousand of something, setting up the computer will turn them out pretty fast.

 

[fcamillieri]

It sort of says I'm an idiot for not knowing.

Being a machinist I know you got a great deal. I sold a Bridgeport with an Anilam CNC cheap to a friend and got $2000 for it. I bought it new for over $20,000 about 20 years ago. You get some good deals at auctions especially now that the economy is so bad. I just got a 10 year old $300,000 CNC for $35,000 and that was only because one other guy wanted it.

 

[Grateful11]

You guys are right. I have learned some. It does say Bridgeport and the big control back is Anilam. It also is called a mill not a drill press, and the cutter that cuts sideways is called a ... milling cutter. They are expensive. It turns out every thing on this beast is expensive. The work clamp is called KURT and they are outrageous.

The motor would not run right - only hummed until I twisted it, then it started turning, but slow. My neighbor said it uses three wire electricity and I have only two connected, so I need an electricians help to install another wire.

The control box box just plugs in the wall and turned ON ok and has numbers that change when I turn the cranks. The manual reads like a math book.

Frankly I think you might want to get rid of it because after that statement
there's a good chance you're going to get hurt on it.

I spent 2 years in Tech school and 3 years on an informal apprenticeship and
the last 27 years in Machine Shops. I'm a card carrying Journeyman Machinist.

Did you really buy it thinking it was just a drill press?

 

[JRP]

The motor drive came. It is small and will fit in the box on the side.

Thanks for your help with Enco. It looked like a good deal so I got two R8 cutter holders.

The control computer works fine and will move the table and spindle. The machine can be moved with cranks with the "servos" off and on the monitor you can see the exact location where it is at. Exact!

With the program you can cut circles and drill a six wheel bolt patterns with one line of program. I got some help with this from a college professor.

You guys are right that this is a lot more than I need, but for now I'm gonna have fun. I'll post a picture of a part when it's running.

 

[chickenman]

The motor drive came. It is small and will fit in the box on the side.

Thanks for your help with Enco. It looked like a good deal so I got two R8 cutter holders.

The control computer works fine and will move the table and spindle. The machine can be moved with cranks with the "servos" off and on the monitor you can see the exact location where it is at. Exact!

With the program you can cut circles and drill a six wheel bolt patterns with one line of program. I got some help with this from a college professor.

You guys are right that this is a lot more than I need, but for now I'm gonna have fun. I'll post a picture of a part when it's running.

there are some you can put is a learn mode and will duplicate the movements that you make by hand

make the first manually and the second under computer control

 

[laurencen]

great deal, if you look at the feed screws the handles move, are thet threaded screws or ball screws, if they are ball they will have a spherical shape rather than the typical threads on a bolt,

Not sure how its set up be careful not to hold the handles when running the cnc control, there are many cnc forums and they will give good advise on the use.

The Kurt vise is likely worth 500, quick change tool holder and collets easy 500 and the mill in good order should be easily 2500, the knee mill is a great machine for the shop.

 

[dpero]

It was said once already.... seriously.... sell it before you get hurt and buy something you really need. At the least take a basic machine shop class if you choose not to.

 

[JRP]

I got lessons from a college professor who is now retired. He is good and showed me basics of a program. The motor runs now and I can use it like a - very precise drill press.

The programs will take some work but he is good. Now I know there is a use for algibra.

The handles could be wicked when turning. There is a spring that folds them in, you have to pry them out to use them by hand, except the down handle that could whap you. It comes off easy.

Thanks for all the great posts. I got stuff from Enco and precision flat parallels from ebay.

Now, I need to start looking for a lathe.

 

[tatra805]

Dpero;

if you were talking about me i 100% agree

Dont know the OP and his approach to things. But i still agree with the workshop classes.

I had basics at technical university going over lathe, mills etc etc and learned 1personal thing: never consider having any such tool at home, you'll get killed in no time.

My teacher agreed with that by the end of the school season :laughing:


We have a workshop in our building, about 50 machines from simple old drill presses to latests CNC mills. No month without injury and no year without amputation so far. And those are pro's working 40 hours a week on these machines.

The thing with having them at home is time-pressure and how you handle that. I am always in a hurry trying to finish a project and then quickly starting up one of these torque monsters rapidly becomes a bloody mess.

so OP, congrats on your purchase but be careful and respect your learning curve. (and I would postpone that lathe till you master your mill)

 

[chickenman]

I got lessons from a college professor who is now retired. He is good and showed me basics of a program. The motor runs now and I can use it like a - very precise drill press.

The programs will take some work but he is good. Now I know there is a use for algibra.

The handles could be wicked when turning. There is a spring that folds them in, you have to pry them out to use them by hand, except the down handle that could whap you. It comes off easy.

Thanks for all the great posts. I got stuff from Enco and precision flat parallels from ebay.

Now, I need to start looking for a lathe.

I made a collar for the elevating handle shaft with a screw in the side to keep the handle in place, or you could put a screw in the handle itself