Cincinnati 207MK restoration

[Ian NorfolkParticipant @iannorfolk84444]

Hi found a 1980's Cincinnati universal milling machine in a scrap yard. Ive had a look over it and can't see much ware in the ways. Believe these has a lot of electro mechanical control which was somewhat unreliable. So probably why it's there.

Is there any forums anyone can recommend the I can get advice on this type of equipment?

Ive tried practical machines by with this being made in the UK Cincinnati factory its being treated with silence. Probably because nobody knows what it is.

[Ian NorfolkParticipant @iannorfolk84444]

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

Any Cincinnati machine I've come across have been very well made mechanically. Even if the control system is totally bad and you have to strip it and convert to handwheel operation, you can probably get a lot of hard use out of it. Typically the wear surfaces in Cincinnati's are much larger than other machines in their class, to reduce wear rate and lengthen machine life.

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Usually machines end up in the scrap yard for good reason, just because the ways are good, doesn’t mean it’s not paggered. Big old lump though, maybe it got weighed in for the scrap weight……Large Horizontal machines are not generally sought after, so in turn dont fetch much.

Have you seen this thread on PM **LINK**

Guess if you have a burning desire to own a big horizontal, and it’s dirt cheap, then worth a punt.

[Ian NorfolkParticipant @iannorfolk84444]

Yes know what you are saying. Probably a boat anchor. Problem is I just love fixing stuff up and Ive not played with hydraulic much so will learn a lot. Ive just completed a CNC conversion on a Chinese mill and it works ok, but you have to nibble as stuff because there is just no rigidity. The electrical side doesn't bother me as Im a electrical engineer. Had another look at it today and the massive y axis box ways are rusty( 0.5 iso deep) , but I scratches that off with a pen knife and shiny steal underneath.

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I've just emailed a friend who was a service engineer with Cincinnati during the 70s and 80s as to what his view is.

Martin P

[BikepeteParticipant @bikepete]

A picture of its current condition would be interesting!

I'd probably be more inclined to make the effort if it also had a vertical head with it, to make the finished machine more versatile.

[Ian NorfolkParticipant @iannorfolk84444]

It has a vertical head and two horizontal arbours arbour support and some 10" face mill with sharp inserts??

The vertical head is missing the brawbar and seems seized. Is the one that only rotates in x plane. The cog to drive the vertical head is even there. Need to open he gearbox up before I commit as have a feeling its full to water.

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

You do realise it’s probably 10hp or more…….plus motors for the feeds etc, gonna take one hell of a rotary converter unless you have 3 phase on tap !

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

My dad worked at Cincinnati from 15 years old (1936) till he retired at 62 ish I can ask him but as he is now 98 not sure how much he will remember. He worked all round the world as a service engineer and was Senior Foreman or higher in assembly. I know he did a lot of work on the Hydrotel millers.

Colin

[Ian NorfolkParticipant @iannorfolk84444]

There is a transformer in my garden. Already has a survey by Uk Power Its ridiculous I know, should get a Bridgeport, but got a bit OCD on this little project no. Plus I feel a bit sorry for the old girl.

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

My friend says he worked from Biggleswade on Grinders the Mills were either made in Birmingham or the USA.

Martin P

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