Posted by Michael Minas on 21/11/2021 07:29:50:
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The more I think about the two holes on the base the more I believe that this casting could have been made or modified for a lathe. In all my research I have yet to see a horizontal mill with only two holes in the base.
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Im not sure where the previous owner had located the motor but I believe it was below the back gear shaft. Is this the best place for it? Or does someone have a better suggestion? I will be fitting a 2.5hp DC 3phase motor with a VFD. Just trying to reduce the array of belts and pulleys.
I could also try and remove some of the pulleys and replace with gears. I have a few large and small ones tucked away somewhere. Is that a better option? Would like to see some setups.
I'm certain the casting was purpose made for a horizontal mill, not a lathe.

On the left is a cast in bed to take the knee, and the base casting comes out to support the spigot holding the screw. The mouldings supporting the top bar are specific to milling as well.
The design is a simple generic type that seems to have been most popular in the 1920s, but I found pictures of similar layout before WW1 and into the 1940s. After WW2 machine tools take on a more rounded look, and have more guards. From the 1950's tools evolved towards the boxy look and bright paint we know today. Fairly sure it was made between the two world wars. Preferred colour before WW1 was black, grey, and light grey came in later.
The design is straightforward and could have been made almost anywhere. I suspect, it's 'inspired by' rather than a specific known make, though big name makers often produced cheaper unbranded kit for badge resale. The complete absence of markings suggests rebadging. Could be British (including Australia), German, Spanish, Czech, Italian, North American, Japanese or a number of other countries.
Early machine tools were driven by a long belt hung from an overhead line-shaft. Later versions from their own electric motor. Machines made in the switchover period (well into the 1940s) often left it to the purchaser to arrange the motor and back-shaft pulleys themselves: I think that's what you have. It would have had 'an array of belts and pulleys' as a cheap straightforward solution.
If there's space for them to be run safely belts are fine, no need to change to gears. Switching to gears is possible, but would require thinking through the necessary gear ratios. The machine and motor have to be matched. Personally, I like to make use of what's already available rather than make new work such as finding and fitting a suitable gear that fits the pulley shaft, and then engineering the rest of the gear train to the motor. Belts solve a lot of problems!
Whether the machine is worth restoring depends on it's condition and your stamina! Assess it carefully. As a small production machine, it might be very badly worn. Inspect the bed-ways for grooves, serious dings, and wear hollows. They might require a regrind. Make sure the bearings aren't seized, have high run-out, or are lumpy. Replacing bearings ranges from easy (common standard size) to expensive nightmare (unusual high-end bearings requiring careful adjustment) If the machine came from a school or non-production workshop, it might be near perfect. However, are any major parts missing? It might have been cannibalised. If major parts are missing, finding spares to fit an unknown ancient machine is hard work.
A complete wreck can be restored if you have the time, money and facilities, but is it worth the effort? Only you can decide. Whilst I'd rather make things than mend old bangers, plenty of others enjoy long restorations! The forum is good at answering questions, and there are a number of threads showing how unpromising kit was brought back to life.
Dave
Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 21/11/2021 10:38:36