Harrison Universal Milling Machine Vertical Head

[Steve Taylor 2Participant @stevetaylor2]

Does any one have any experience with swapping this machine from horizontal to vertical ie mounting the vertical head.

The vertical head is bolted to the main column by 4 allen bolts and fits into the 30 int taper thats also used for horizontal milling.

 

The issues are the weight of the head which makes it very awkward and the fact that the shared drawbar seems to be held captive. the arrangement means the bolts and drawbar each need to be adjusted a tiny bit at a time.

 

The entire arrangement seems wrong, presently all the bolts and drawbar are tight and its not fully seated against the column. I’m unwilling to continue tightening as it may cause damage.

[Steve Taylor 2Participant @stevetaylor2]

[,Participant @nousername29627]

Hi

I’ve found the simplest way is to put a large chunk of wood on the table and use this to jack it into position. Its fairly easy to balance it with one hand whilst raising the table with the other.

When you have the bolts in loosley you can remove the belt guard (machine isolated of course) and pull the belts round to engage the drive dogs – if you try pushing the head home you should feel them engage. Its then a simple matter to tighten everthing up.

Probably not the ‘correct’ method but it works for me – alternatively you could try eating lots of spinnach!

Regards

Phil

[Steve Taylor 2Participant @stevetaylor2]

Ive overcome the biggest problem by removing the small cowell at the back of the machine as it prevents the drawbar from being removed, once its off and the drawbar removed the bolts will screw straight in.

 

The tip of supporting the head on a block of wood on the table is a good one, thanks.

[Andy PughParticipant @andypugh44463]

(Going through all these Harrison mill messages, even the old ones)

I dangle my head from the ceiling on a chain winch when using the horozontal. (and leave it there, hoisted out of the way).

It makes the whole job a lot less trouble. When the head can swing freely it is also easier to engage the drive dogs.

I have a steel plate with a hole for the chain hook behind the top rotation locking bolt. That seems to end up pretty close to the point of balance.

A picture with the head dangling and the machine set up for horizontal work. You can just about make out the plate that the hook goes through.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uoy2UegtJpcl6BD88u_lFdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

[Phil WhitleyParticipant @philwhitley94135]

Just an aside here, I have a Harrison Horizontal mill that I would love a vertical head for, If anyone has one for sale please contact me. Also I am in the market for any imperial dimensioned arbors for the horizontal set up. 1"-1 1/4"-1 1/2", or what have you 30int tooling etc.

Phil

[Andy PughParticipant @andypugh44463]

Posted by Phil Whitley on 26/03/2014 10:16:13:

Just an aside here, I have a Harrison Horizontal mill that I would love a vertical head forIf anyone has one for sale please contact me. Also I am in the market for any imperial dimensioned arbors for the horizontal set up. 1"-1 1/4"-1 1/2", or what have you 30int tooling etc

The vertical head is actually rather slow, so unless you are in the habit of spinning large face-mills you might be better off with one of the integrated spindles from eBay, possibly mounted on the end of the over-arm on a bracket of your own devising.

I am meaning devices such as **LINK**

eBay also generally has a few 30INT horizontal arbors too:**LINK**

That's 7/8". The same vendor also has 3/4" and 5/8".

I have a daily search running for a 1 1/4" to suit some gear hobs. The Harrison with the Universal table makes a very nice gear hobber.

[Phil WhitleyParticipant @philwhitley94135]

Thanks for that Andy, as you may have guessed I have more cutters than I have arbors to fit them!

Phil

[Andy PughParticipant @andypugh44463]

Here is one possible solution to the vertical head problem.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ry9FaFI4uuoav60Y2

 

 

 

Edited By Andy Pugh on 26/12/2017 16:13:16

[JezParticipant @jez]

I built a wooden (well, MDF) jig type thing to hold the vertical head vertically (!), put that on the table and adjusted it to get the head in the right place.

Regarding the drawbar & bolts, I seem to recall it being a right faff – never did get the knack if I remember correctly. I bought a Bridgeport clone – the Harrison has stayed in horizontal mode since then.

[Author]

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