Which (classic?) (Turret?) Milling Machine?

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

Hi Folks,

Just looking for some advice to broaden my horizon, I know these machines are probably based on something old but I don't know what. I like the older classics but I'll buy new if I have to.

I'm a bit of a Magpie when it comes to machines and I fancy a change, I like change, especially when change means upgrade!

I'm looking at the Toolco VM28 or the Warco VMC, these seem to tick all the boxes and is truely half way between the Champion 20VS and the RF-25 I owned previously.

Are there any classic machines that these designs were based on?

Things I consider and like about these:

Overall less floor space considering the swing of the table left/right than my Champion 20VS and it's 700mm table.

Good solid build,

Knee type mill so height can be easily changed between drilling a 1" hole with a taper drill, and slotting 1/2" holding the endmill directly in the spindle with a collet.

Good Quill depth so can be used as a drill press (which is probably most of the use it gets sometimes). (thus the Boxford VM30 doesn't seem appropriate for me)

Any hints or machines I might want to look at would be great, if your selling something – let me know!

(Vertical machines of course, but any that can be dual purpose like the Astra mill's could be handy but I think they're to small for my liking.

Edited By Russ B on 23/04/2015 19:08:13

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

Boxford VM30, Toolco VM26? Warco VMC

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Google 'Bridgeport milling machine', that will give you a start.

Tony

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

The Clausing vertical mill was possibly an inspiration for the VMC and 626 type of mill check it out on Tonys Lathes .co.uk site.

Mike

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

Michael,

Thats exactly the sort of size I'm looking for, a real beauty, I'll add that to my list of things to look out for thanks.

Tony, thanks I've researched in to the bridgeport, it looks the same but it's 3 times the weight and height, they're 7 foot tall !! Thats some serious industrial metal no doubt about that, but perhaps not so suitable for my rather bijou workshop

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Not sure of the date of the clausing but the Elliott 181, and Juniormil were similar but grew out of the horizontal mil. They still appear occasionally so combine the advantage of a horizontal too. The centec 2b is a nice size for the amateur.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

You want older classics? British? They don't come much better than an M1 Tom Senior with the S type head.

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

A chap at our club is sellin a very good Myford turret mill if your interested?

Brian

[ANDY CAWLEYParticipant @andycawley24921]

Russ, if you live within striking distance of Doncaster, come and look at my Centec which will be for sale. No obligation for looking.

PM me if you are interested.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Elliott Omnimill if you can get a good one.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/elliottmillers/page2.html

[IMG]http://www.gandmtools.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DSCN4366.jpg[/IMG]

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

Beat me to it Vic, best of both worlds in a small toolroom. Pity the buttons are where they are. Started on that one and was promoted (Sorry Sir John) onto a Bridgy.

Regards Ian

[VicParticipant @vic]

Yes indeed. Having both vertical and horizontal spindles is very useful. The way the head moves in and out, rotates and tilts is also very handy.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Except most Elliot Omnimills and Harrison's don't have a quill feed head.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Really? My Elliott Omnimill had a quill feed.

Top picture!

http://www.lathes.co.uk/elliottmillers/page2.html

Edited By Vic on 01/06/2015 09:50:38

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