just bought an used knee mill ... photos!

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Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

Nice little mill. I looked for one like that for a LONG time, but then found my Burke Millrite (aka a Rockwell) - ended up with the version with no nod. The dealer had 2 - one with Varispeed, nod, and the small table, but kinda beat, and one with belt change, the larger table, and no nod, but still showing oringinal flaking... Guess which one I took?

Congrats on the find - Knee Mills are a tad more versitile than Mill/drills. Plan on making a bunch of scrap - buy some material/get some from a scrap bin, and do things like square up the block, make grooves, etc - aka - play, before doing "real" work

Oh - and don't bother with the real cheap cutter sets. Frankly, they don't work real well, get good end mills - they don't have to be the TOP of the line. I've found little use for solid carbide, except when I needed a 9/32 ball end mill, and I could ONLY get it in carbide. I've had luck with OSG, Putnam, and Niagara (which I believe is a Travers Tool house brand). That said, the "house" brand cutters from the big houses (MSC, Travers etc) are a LOT better than the cheapy sets the same company often sells (stay away from the Enco cheap sets, even if they have been owned by MSC for something like a decade)

Roughing end mills, or even "fine finish" roughing (aka semi-roughing) take a lot less power to drive, and on a lighter mill, put a lot less forces on the mill - I bought a couple of STEEL (not Carbide) Niagara 3 flute roughing mills in 3/8", and they are one of my favorate mills to use (I don't know if they are still made)

Just like any other machine tool, you can easily spend more on tooling than the machine, and mills are worse than a lathe, as the vise is expensive, and tooling (the mills) aren't cheap, and are not something you can re-sharpen yourself unless you have special tools
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

Well, thanks to Barry, my new mill is home. Let me share it in "my normal way", with lots of photos !!!

My day started early, and I was at the Uhaul place at 8:30AM this morning:
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Since I don't own a vehicle with a hitch, I rented a small truck and the trailer:
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I then went to the bank to get the Cashier's Check, and off I went. I did the pickup on my own, with only my GPS as company:
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Got there 2 and 1/2 hours later - no problems. It was a medium size machine shop. They had a 2-3K pound BP-type mill, and another even bigger, probably in the 5K pound range. They had two CNC machines, a large lathe (like 16x60 or so, and something like my 12x36 or 14x40 was their smallest machine). This mill they got new 10 years ago, was used briefly, and it just sat in a corner for many years - basically it was too small for what they needed. The paint is still original and except for the years of neglect (no cleaning, just collecting dust), and superficial rust on the main bed, this machine looks much better than the pictures on Ebay. It did not even have an AC Plug, and the belts still clearly show all of the white lettering, while the pulleys show almost no wear - who knows when it was the last time this ran. This machine (made in Taiwan) was worth $4910.16 when new, back in 1998. Even now, it is easily worth twice what I paid, so I felt very lucky indeed. Thanks much Barry 😉

They had a fork lift, so loading the mill on the trailer was super easy:
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I had no less than 6 straps on this thing!
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So after another 2 and 1/2 hours (today was a LONG day!), I got home:
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The 1 1/2 HP motor can be wired for both 110 or 220 - it is right now wired for 220:
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I removed some pieces/parts, specially the motor, to make it lighter to move, and once my great neighbor came from work, he and I were able to slowly and carefully slide the mill to its new home (of course I had to make room for it):
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The garage is not fully organized yet, but it is getting better:
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Will
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

I really like your new machine😀 The diameter of the quill looks to be as large as a full size Bridgeport, and the support of the head is massive. With a 2" face mill, that thing will fill your garage with blue chips.

I didn't see the knee crank handle in the eBay photos ... did you get that?

Before running it at speed, you may want to pull out and repack the quill bearings. Over time, especially without use, bearing grease tends to dry out & harden. Enco tech services may be able to help you with this. If not, a large bearing supply house (like Motion Industries or Bearing Headquarters) can recommend a suitable grease, including the correct amount.

The one shot lube pump is a nice feature, found on most Bpts. Fill it with nondetergent 20W oil, pull the handle, and the knee, apron & table slides get what they need most.

Nice grab.
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

Nice... Very nice! The paint looks real good on it and you say it's dirty and dusty! Can't immagine what it will look like after you clean it up! :party:

Congrats Will! :wave:

Ray
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

I'm still waiting for the dimensions. Or did I miss them somewhere? Is the table 8.5 x 30 or 9 x 36? I can't really tell.

That is a good find. It looks to be in excellent shape. Better shape than mine.

Did it really rotate 60 degrees in the bed of the trailer on the way home? That would be scary. Very scary.

Yes Barry, it will make blue chips with a 2 inch face mill. A shower of them, and boy are they HOT!

OK Will, Time to wire it up and make some chips!

Daniel
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

precisionworks said:
I didn't see the knee crank handle in the eBay photos ... did you get that?
Click to expand...
Yes, I got that 😉


precisionworks said:
Before running it at speed, you may want to pull out and repack the quill bearings. Over time, especially without use, bearing grease tends to dry out & harden. Enco tech services may be able to help you with this. If not, a large bearing supply house (like Motion Industries or Bearing Headquarters) can recommend a suitable grease, including the correct amount.
Click to expand...
I might have to contact you to review what needs adjustment - this is literally in a different class than my X2 mini-mill :devil:


gadget_lover said:
I'm still waiting for the dimensions. Or did I miss them somewhere? Is the table 8.5 x 30 or 9 x 36? I can't really tell.

That is a good find. It looks to be in excellent shape. Better shape than mine.

Did it really rotate 60 degrees in the bed of the trailer on the way home? That would be scary. Very scary.

Yes Barry, it will make blue chips with a 2 inch face mill. A shower of them, and boy are they HOT!

OK Will, Time to wire it up and make some chips!

Daniel
Click to expand...

- yes, it is in trully excellent shape - just plain dirty.
- the table is 8x30
- yes, the lathe moved a little bit right after I left, but when I stopped shortly after for gas, I re-aligned and tighten the straps again before the long trip back home.
- I need to first clean it well, adjust it, wire a 220V connector for it, and then I should be able to cut chips with it 😉

Will
 
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Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

wquiles said:
- the bed is 8x30

Will
Click to expand...

OK Will. Time to pop a cold one and take a break.

We know that your new lathe is just FANTASTIC. As a result it must, literally, be in your thoughts at all times. I'd have a hard time not thinking about it. I'd have a hard time not dreaming about it. I'd love one like that.

But it's time to twist your mind around a little.....

The mill does not have a bed. It has a TABLE. 🙂 The TABLE is 8x30.


Which is a good size. Mines the same size, with the same general design and the same HP. The same wattage that is. I have added a SINO DRO to it, though I'm waiting for a replacement on a defective scale. In the mean time the Z axis scale is mounted on the Y axis. I'll be mounting a cheap Chinese scale to the quill soon, maybe today.

I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Daniel
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

gadget_lover said:
OK Will. Time to pop a cold one and take a break.

We know that your new lathe is just FANTASTIC. As a result it must, literally, be in your thoughts at all times. I'd have a hard time not thinking about it. I'd have a hard time not dreaming about it. I'd love one like that.

But it's time to twist your mind around a little.....

The mill does not have a bed. It has a TABLE. 🙂 The TABLE is 8x30.


Which is a good size. Mines the same size, with the same general design and the same HP. The same wattage that is. I have added a SINO DRO to it, though I'm waiting for a replacement on a defective scale. In the mean time the Z axis scale is mounted on the Y axis. I'll be mounting a cheap Chinese scale to the quill soon, maybe today.

I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Daniel
Click to expand...

Oops - fixed 😱

Yes, a DRO. I "have" to install something!. I have a brand new, just completed (except for the box) Shumatech DRO (Milling Version), so I am debating going to that, or buying something "nicer".

Is your SINO DRO from CDCO? Where exactly are you mounting the scales?

Will
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

wquiles said:
Oops - fixed 😱

Yes, a DRO. I "have" to install something!. I have a brand new, just completed (except for the box) Shumatech DRO (Milling Version), so I am debating going to that, or buying something "nicer".

Is your SINO DRO from CDCO? Where exactly are you mounting the scales?

Will
Click to expand...

Will,

If you can wait a few weeks I think Matt has a shipment of DROs coming in. I'm pretty sure for my mill I will be getting the Easson when he gets them in.
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

wquiles said:
Oops - fixed 😱

Yes, a DRO. I "have" to install something!. I have a brand new, just completed (except for the box) Shumatech DRO (Milling Version), so I am debating going to that, or buying something "nicer".

Is your SINO DRO from CDCO? Where exactly are you mounting the scales?

Will
Click to expand...

My unit is from SHARS.com. It is the 12" x 24" x 16" 3 axis Dro digital readout glass linear knee Milling Package --- $640.00 The numbers at Shars refer to the travel, not the table dimensions nor the scale length. The Y axis really has less than 8 inches of travel, so 4 inches of that scale will be forever unused.

The 24 inch scale for the X axis is just over 30 inches long. I built standoffs to fit the table stop slot in the front of the table. I can still get to the stops and it is easily removable. The reader head is attached to a bracket on the saddle.

The Y axis is under the right side of the table, with the scale attached to supports attached to the saddle, and the reader attached to a bracket extending from the knee. Again, I have it far enough out and down so that I can reach the Y axis table stops with a socket wrench. It's complicated by the fact that my 1-shot oil pump is located on that side of the knee.

The Z axis is on the left side of the knee. I wanted to put the scale on the knee, and mount the reader to the column but found that to be problematic. The 16 inch scale is more like 21 inches long and no matter where I mounted it it looks funky. So it goes on the column and the reader on a bracket attached to the knee. Since the column is slanted, I am using a swiveling mount at one end and a standoff at the other to make it parallel to the movement of the knee.

It's worth it to buy a mill with the DRO installed. Doing it right can be a pain in the neck.

Daniel
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

Congratulations!

that's a lot of machine for the dollar, Good Pick!

Oh.... and for the record, your garage is fine, no more cleaning necessary!!!

In fact, if you could all please make a point to make your garages a little messier so when I browse around on here I don't feel so bad, that would be very much appreciated!

Cheers,
Eric
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

mdocod said:
Oh.... and for the record, your garage is fine, no more cleaning necessary!!!

In fact, if you could all please make a point to make your garages a little messier so when I browse around on here I don't feel so bad, that would be very much appreciated!

Cheers,
Eric
Click to expand...

LOL, I felt the same way. I've actually spent all this last weekend cleaning out my garage. In fact that's what I'll be doing today as well.
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

Nice score and nice Maxx. Mine's in pieces and it makes me kind of sad, it's pretty much not worth rebuilding because all the stock parts are warped.
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

65535 said:
Nice score and nice Maxx. Mine's in pieces and it makes me kind of sad, it's pretty much not worth rebuilding because all the stock parts are warped.
Click to expand...

My Maxx still runs, even though the tranny gears (plastic!) are a little bit worn. The problem is the NiMH packs - they are dead AGAIN!. I am tired to buy/replace packs almost yearly - getting to expensive to have fun with the Maxx, so it just sits there in the garage ...

Will
 
Re: just bought an used knee mill ...

gadget_lover said:
My unit is from SHARS.com. It is the 12" x 24" x 16" 3 axis Dro digital readout glass linear knee Milling Package --- $640.00 The numbers at Shars refer to the travel, not the table dimensions nor the scale length. The Y axis really has less than 8 inches of travel, so 4 inches of that scale will be forever unused.

The 24 inch scale for the X axis is just over 30 inches long. I built standoffs to fit the table stop slot in the front of the table. I can still get to the stops and it is easily removable. The reader head is attached to a bracket on the saddle.

The Y axis is under the right side of the table, with the scale attached to supports attached to the saddle, and the reader attached to a bracket extending from the knee. Again, I have it far enough out and down so that I can reach the Y axis table stops with a socket wrench. It's complicated by the fact that my 1-shot oil pump is located on that side of the knee.

The Z axis is on the left side of the knee. I wanted to put the scale on the knee, and mount the reader to the column but found that to be problematic. The 16 inch scale is more like 21 inches long and no matter where I mounted it it looks funky. So it goes on the column and the reader on a bracket attached to the knee. Since the column is slanted, I am using a swiveling mount at one end and a standoff at the other to make it parallel to the movement of the knee.

It's worth it to buy a mill with the DRO installed. Doing it right can be a pain in the neck.

Daniel
Click to expand...

Thanks much Daniel - this helps me a lot in trying to figure out what to get and how to install it 😉

I am right now comparing notes with Brian as he is also looking for a DRO for his mill as well :devil:

Will
 
Yeah, the tolerances are not too hard to meet. The problem is deciding exactly where to mount the scales. They are longer than the travel by the length of the reader head. This can make for some awkward mounting.

The bigger concern is deciding what existing features you want to block, remove or preserve. On these mills the Y is only 8 inches or so. That makes mounting a scale on the back (a typical place) somewhat undesirable. There's a set of stops on the front of the table that might be worth using, so bolting it to the front is sub-optimal.

The side of the knee has "stuff" on it. The knee crank housing and the oiler to name just two. Mine also had (note past tense) a collet rack and a rack for a clamp set conveniently on one side.

The actual installation is not too difficult. After all, you have a mill to make any necessary brackets. 🙂

Daniel
 
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