Harold Hall Milling Head for the Lathe

[cornistParticipant @cornist]

Hello,

Has anyone built and/or used the Harold Hall milling head designed for lathe mounting as described on his website?

https://www.homews.co.uk/page158.html

I fully realise it will not be as solid or versatile as a milling machine (Harold Hall says as much himself) but does offer the chance to carry out milling operations in the lathe only workshop with the job mounted horizontally.

I’m interested in hearing from anyone who has hands-on experience of this design.

Thank you.

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

I did make a start on one when I first got my lathe in about 2009.  I soon abandoned the project as it rapidly became apparent that it was, as you and Harold stated, lacking in the rigidity and versatility that a standalone milling machine provides.  Nice idea, but in my opinion not worth the effort to achieve little more than could be done with a carriage mounted vertical slide.

John

 

[cornistParticipant @cornist]

Thank you, John. That is very useful to know.

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

Completely agree with John. An interesting item for build practice if inexperienced, but the amount of time spent making it out weighs the advantages. You would soon get frustrated with it’s lack of rigidity.

As he also says, a simple vertical slide on the carriage would do just as well for occasional, light jobs.

Mike

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