It's alive............

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In May of this year, I was given an Enco GL-30 mill/drill.  Motor bearings were shot, looked like it had been dumped on it's side & water got in the motor.Over this last 3 months, I've been busy replacing/making the parts that needed fixed.  I built hand cranks for the X & Y axis, fine downfeed, head crank & a stand to put it on.  I replaced the motor bearings & added a TECO single phase to three phase VFD.  I finished the stand today, built a bracket for the VFD & got it running.It has a R-8 taper in the spindle, so I ordered some parts from CDC Machinery (where I've purchased several lathe tools).  I did order a 6" vise, which is too big.  I may order a 4" one in a month or two.  Collets, indicator, Vee blocks, 52 piece clamp set & a wiggler set.  I do not have the cash for the power cross feed, so I'm relegated to using the handwheel for now.The stand has casters on it to move it, plus 1/2" bolts to level the table.  The stand was modified from a bench a buddy gave me.  It's all 3/16" tubing & very stout.  Casters were from Grizzly.  Top is 1/2" plate that had been cut by my supplier & the customer didn't pick it up.  It's really thicker than I wanted, but was cheaper than a specially cut 3/8" piece.Pic 1 & 2 - bringing it home & unloading it from the truckPic 3 - On the welding table, where it sat since bringing it home.  Until todayPic 4 - Bent downfeed shaft.  Took it to my buddy that has a press, pressed it back out straight & reinstalled it.Pic 5 - Built a new headstock crank.  Used my lathe & endmills to cut the slot, my buddies pressbrake to bend the handle.If you look at Pic 3, notice no hand wheels, fine down feed wheel, motor not installed & dirty/rusty, no motor pulley & no handles on the downfeed.  I had to build the handles & hand wheels, get a new pulley (a friend from upstate New York sent me one) & build clutches for the hand wheels. Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:The stand was originally built by a fabricator & used as a bench to fab farm equipment.  Another friend had this sitting at his ranch for about 4 years & said "come get it".  I cut it down to 20" wide & 24" deep.  Welded on some brackets for the casters, welded some nuts for leveling bolts, added the 1/2" plate top & set the mill on it today.Pic 1 - stand lying on the portable welding standPic 2 - cutting the stand apart with the bandsawPic 3 - on it's feet.  Just needs finish welded & the casters put on.Pic 4 - the hand wheel clutch.  I had to build 3 of these. Pic 5 - built the handles & used my ball turning attachment to turn the balls on the handles.More to come.................. Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Then the motor was making noise when I spun it by hand, so I got new bearings locally & installed them.Pic 1 - New bearings on top, old bearings on bottomPic 2 - New bearings installed on rotorPic 3 - All back together with new pulleyPic 4 - Pulley needed broached to 1/4" keyway, shaft is 22mm, bore is 7/8".  I need to shim the pulley when it's installed.Pic 5 - Motor installed on the mill, pulley installed - shim was 4 layers of aluminum foil.  No wobble is observed now.  Had to file the key to fit the shaft, then set screws hold it in place. Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Got my buddies engine lift yesterday & this morning got the mill moved to the stand.  Bolted it down with 1/2" grade 8 bolts.  Probably didn't need grade 8 bolts, but I had them on hand.  I really didn't like that puke green color of the stand, the olive drab green of the mill is ok.  So I shot some paint on the stand, not the mill.Rolled it back into the spot it's going to be sitting & got to wiring the VFD.  2 weeks ago I ran power to a new subpanel in the garage & put some outlets in that location.Pic 1 - new powerPic 2 - stand with new topPic 3 & 4 - Mill on stand & bolted downPic 5 - I can even use my welding table as an outfeed table. Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Finally, I was able to build a bracket for the VFD & get it mounted.  Then wired it up & now it's alive!Pic 1 - the stand isn't ugly green anymore.  Looks better.Pic 2 - VFD mounted.Go here to view it running.  No I don't talk in this, I talk enough teaching students. Attached ImagesLast edited by MarkBall2; 07-25-2011 at 12:10 AM.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Sweet. You've put a lot of work into but it'll be worth it. Besides the milling it'll be a whole new world of drilling too. All around better than a drill press."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Losing your X and Y settings when you adjust your Z axis height on round column mill/drills will drive you crazy.   Nice refurb.
Reply:My hat's off to you Mark - you really did take a monster and restore it to life!Well done...Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:You got more skills that I will ever have in restoring stuff like that,also your shop is great tooDrink a Guinness Draught....Millermatic 140Do you still rememberDecember's foggy freeze --when the ice thatclings on to your beard isscreaming agony.
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966Losing your X and Y settings when you adjust your Z axis height on round column mill/drills will drive you crazy.   Nice refurb.
Reply:Nice save Mark, this looks to be a bit smoother that the start you had with the lathe!Matt
Reply:Thanks guys,Sandy, I have a drill press also.  No problems with it, but I cannot slow it down enough to run the S&D bits.  I guess I can use them on the mill now.Joe, I belong to another web forum where they made a guide for the round column mill.  It clamps to the bottom of the mill & top (above the pulleys) then has the crank melded to the guide.  This cuts down on the distance needed to re-tram the head.  From what I've read, it's actually pretty accurate.Rick & Giddy, thanks.  It's a typical 3 car garage in Yuma.  I have the lathe between the two garage doors, the mill against the far wall, welding table & projects in the 3rd bay.  I can still get my truck & van in the rest of the garage.  Skills?  I just like to play with anything mechanical.Kafer, I would have liked a Bridgeport style mill, but then I would need more room.Matt, you are correct.  This was in better shape than the lathe.  Fewer repairs or repairs needed I could do without spending much money.  The VFD was the single most expensive part I bought, the rest of the money was primarily tooling costs.  But I would have had that no matter what kind of mill I bought.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Mark,Nice work. Shouldn't there be a telescope with a SBIG camera in the middle of all that?Jeff
Reply:Mark, I'd be interested in seeing the guide you describe once you are finished  I've also heard that some people use a laser mounted to the head and have it project to a vertical line on the wall 10-20 feet away.Gotta get me one of those VFD's for my lathe. I'm getting tired of changing belts!
Reply:markball2, the table on your miil/drill, you need to oil it up and stone it..  then take some 3m polishing compound and a buffer and shine it up, then oil and stone again.. you ought to keep your eyes open for one of the 36"bridgeports or the hens teeth clausing 8520/8525/8530..  i've seen the small bridgports sell for $600... nice job on the rebuild.. a trick to slowing down a drill press is adding another set of pulleys off to the side.. make an adjustable leg to clamp onto the post and make the height of the shaft adjustable using slip collars..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Awesome job Mark! My Enco lathe wants to know why I don't have one like it to keep it company.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by joedirt1966Mark, I'd be interested in seeing the guide you describe once you are finished  I've also heard that some people use a laser mounted to the head and have it project to a vertical line on the wall 10-20 feet away.Gotta get me one of those VFD's for my lathe. I'm getting tired of changing belts!
Reply:Brucer, thanks for the idea, but I really don't have room for a full size mill.The table is just dirty right now, it actually cleans up fairly well, just has a patina on it.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:congrats on the new toy  what type is the vise that didnt fit ?350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:Thanks for the link Mark.
Reply:It's an import 6" vise with the pivoting base.  I've taken the base off for right now & it's way too big.  Should have bought the 4" version.  Think I paid $119.00 + shipping on it.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Here are a couple shots of how big that vise is & a close up of the VFD. Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:YEA  it's alive.   Very nice work Mark,  "ugly green"... oh that, well i painted my stuff too, sumthin' 'bout that green YUK!  Now mucho mas bien. In Yuma there is some clear thinking on garages.  one fella bought a nice 1800 sq foot home on a cauldesac then he had them build TWO double garages side by side. one is for his wifes car and stuff, the other is a very keen wood working shop.   I think everyone should have two garages really? Mill me baby.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I learned the same lesson when I bought a 6" vise for my RF-45 clone.  Too big.Sold it and bought a 4" vise.  It fits much better.
Reply:Yes I agree with the 2 double garages Bret.  I am running outta room & need a shop like your's.Joe, I'm willing to trade the 6" for a 4" if someone has one.  Needs to be a pivot base 4".  If not, in a couple months, I'll get a 4".  I need a face mill, the power feed for the table & a couple other things, then projects.  I think Bret has one in mind for me.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Buildi   love  threads  like  this  ,        restorations   or even rebuilds         make my day  !!    Very nice work  ..    so whats the first   part u  made with the mill ?   or are u not totally   set up with tooling etc ?>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:Haven't made anything yet.  Still getting some tools.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:is that one of those schars  vices off ebay ?if so i would lie to check it out350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:No, it's one from CDCOtools.com.  It still has the grease on it, so comon over if you want to look at it.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Hi Mark, first congrats on the effort in the rebuild, machinery is my life too and I've been doing it since I was 14, about 50+ years ago but now retired.When I left UK for OZ in 1980 I almost bought the very same mill, well at least it was a mill/drill, to take with me, as all my possesions were packed in a big crate and it went by sea so I only had to pay by the cubic foottage....I assumed that OZ was out in the backwoods machinery wise and according to some friends who had been there...long story.Anyways, when I got to OZ, and about a year later, I joined a model engineering club and got pally with one of the old guys who had a workshop......lo and behold....pride of place in the 'shop was a mill/drill.So, long story short.....I was able to use the mill to do a number of jobs in getting my own shop together, one being the refurbishing of an old Colchester Bantam lathe, circa 1920/30 vintage.I see you are thinking of a facing milling cutter....the mill originally was supplied with a 4 tooth carbide tipped facing milling cutter.......woe and torment.......the problem(s) with mill drills is/are the round column....not only as a pain in the butt when raising the head etc and losing register, but because mainly the round column does not give enough support to side movement when milling with a significent size cutter......even a 3/4" diam milling cutter doing a 1/4" deep keyway is enough to make the whole shebang shudder and shake.I put off going out and getting one on that basis, even though I was so restricted without a mill of any description to do even the simplest job.I toyed with the idea that maybe a V shaped brace to the top of the column and attached to the shop wall would cut out vibration....but then I was lucky enough to be able to buy a belt drive 42" Bridgeport from my previous employer for $3,000 when they downsized the whole toolroom, and then when my mate saw it he wanted one too, so I sold that to him and bought an Ajax 54" table turret mill on Ebay for the same price, same type of turret mill, but a bit bigger, and with power feeds and fast traverse on all axis....spindle taper in ISO 40....so some big milling capability.I often wonder how it is that all those fiddly bits like locking levers and handles get lost when the mill changes hands.....there must be a market for those items....or mills with more than one winding handle LOL.BTW, I keep my mill and the lathe covered in a clear plastic sheet, and find that even in the coldest weather I get no rusting on the bare steel/iron surfaces, which will occur even when oiled up if'n it's left uncovered........cuts out all the dust particles that hang around in the air too.Before you go out and tool up big time, I'd give the mill some test cuts to access it's capability, and I found you can mill more off of flat surfaces using a single point fly cutter than a multi point facing mill.You could build up a gantry behind the mill attached to the base and project an arm from it bolted to the top of the column to brace it, but that's just my 2 cents worth.....have fun.Ian.
Reply:Time for an update.  For the past couple months between teaching out of town & teaching in town, I haven't had a lot of time to do much.  When surfing the web, I found some pictures of an alignment rig to help keep the round column mill spindle square with the table as a person lifts/lowers the head.  So I've been working on that.  I finally got it finished yesterday.Here's some pictures:  (Warning picture heavy)First I changed the location of the VFD & added remote controls on the side of the mill.Then I started working on the alignment brace, MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:More Alignment Brace:This first picture the needle is actually sitting on zero.  The second is actually on the first line past zero.  then today added a spindle light.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Hey Mark, thought you were in Arizona?  What you doing with Canadian content on your mill?  Now I have to run down to Princess Auto to get me one of those lights for my drill press!   GeorgePrincess Auto "PowerFist" Dual MIG-136, WF & cap modGas Powered Alternator Welder (being rebuilt)
Reply:If you do, just watch the size of the center hole.  I held it up to my Clark drill press & it was "WAY" to big.Worked better to bore out the center approx 1/4", then it fits the quill like a glove.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build