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I have the opportunity to buy this old mill. I know absolutely nothing about mills. Looking for any and all information and advice. It was very dark in this guy's shop so I didn't try to take a picture of the whole thing.
GlenHobart Champion 16Hobart Hefty CC/CVHobart Handler 140Lotos LTP5000D
Reply:
Originally Posted by ArcTan
I have the opportunity to buy this old mill. I know absolutely nothing about mills. Looking for any and all information and advice. It was very dark in this guy's shop so I didn't try to take a picture of the whole thing.
Reply:Good, reasonable, sensible questions. But when have I ever bought something based on whether it's sensible or not?
Answers below
Originally Posted by Oldiron2
What kind of work would you have need of a mill for? Fun! If I figure out how to use it, I'm sure it would be helpful for some of the projects I do.What other machining equipment do you have?A very old lathe that I haven't yet setup. (See answer to next question...)Do you have the room for it?Not yet. Doing some work to my barn and will have space for it when that's done. This unit is very small, probably smaller footprint than a kitchen stove.Does it come with any tooling?YesIs the motor single, or three phase and if the latter, do you have power that would run it or would it need a converter? I'm not sure, I will investigate that next time I'm there. I would need a converterEnco used to have very high quality cutters ( from places like Yugoslavia, IIRC) and other attachments, but I'm unaware of any company with similar deals now.
Reply:I have 2 horizontal mills. One is a small one that is set up to cut woodruff key slots and the other, larger one, is used for cutting straight keyways, slab surfacing, and if I ever get around to it, possibly some gears and/or some gear rack. I don't use either every day but I have a lot of things like that. I do use them though. I have the remains of 70 years of tooling from my and my father's time in business. I still need to buy tooling sometimes. My wife will sell mine when I pass my expiration date but until then I won't part with them. Oldiron2 asked some good questions but only you can decide if you want it. IMHO they are not as versatile as a lathe but depending on what you hope to do they can be useful and fun.PS-My larger mill weighs somewhere north of 2 tons so it is fun to move.---Meltedmetal
Reply:Good info, thanks.Anyone hazard a guess as to what a reasonable price range would be? I know there are lots of variables but just looking for some thoughts.GlenHobart Champion 16Hobart Hefty CC/CVHobart Handler 140Lotos LTP5000D
Reply:Try searching Facebook Marketplace in your area to see what people are asking. Doesn't mean they are getting it. Ease or difficulty of moving it can be a factor. Machines in the hobby-size range will nearly always out-price industrial sized machines and I'm confident the owner will be willing to accept as much as your willing to give him above his minimum. This is a link from marketplace in Canada to give you some idea.https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ne&exact=falseLast edited by Meltedmetal; 4 Days Ago at 09:32 AM.---Meltedmetal
Reply:The Horizontal ate great for milling a lot parts. When had shop I did most milling on the mill. It will make quick work compared to a vertical. But most do not buy the cutters to make work well.Dave
Originally Posted by ArcTan
I have the opportunity to buy this old mill. I know absolutely nothing about mills. Looking for any and all information and advice. It was very dark in this guy's shop so I didn't try to take a picture of the whole thing.
Reply:If you go to look at the machine, take a mag base with a dial indicator. Wiggle/pull everything that moves. The machine is only worth what your tests show.
Reply:I don't know much about Sheldon mills, but I have had two Sheldon lathes (still have one). Sheldon made quality machinery that was often as good as some of the bigger names. There is an active Sheldon group page you may want to check out. You may have to join to be able to see the files with catalogs, manuals, etc, but that's easy enough. There are a lot of helpful folks there as well. If you can't see the files yet, and want me to look something up, shoot me a PM with what you're looking for....I've been a member there for years.https://groups.io/g/sheldonlatheCheck out my bench vise website: http://mivise.comMiller Syncrowave 250DXMillermatic 350P with XR AlumaProMiller Regency 200 with 22A feeder and Spoolmatic 3Hobart Champion EliteEverlast PowerTig 210EXT
Reply:Thanks everyone. Planning to return sometime this week. He's asking $300 for it and tooling. If it is 3 phase I will definitely pass on it. I know I could get a phase converter but it's just not worth it for something I don't even really need. It just seemed like a good deal and could be useful and fun to play with which is why I'm interested. We'll see what I find when I go backGlenHobart Champion 16Hobart Hefty CC/CVHobart Handler 140Lotos LTP5000D
Reply:
Originally Posted by ArcTan
Thanks everyone. Planning to return sometime this week. He's asking $300 for it and tooling. If it is 3 phase I will definitely pass on it. I know I could get a phase converter but it's just not worth it for something I don't even really need. It just seemed like a good deal and could be useful and fun to play with which is why I'm interested. We'll see what I find when I go back
Reply:I don't know anything about sheldons but usually those older smaller mills only have 1 belt driven motor and a single phase motor is a couple hundred dollars that you easily get back if you sell the machine. I have a 10 hp single phase on my older lathe and my mill has a 3 phase 7.5 hp haven't needed to change it because I have 3 phase in the shop. but smaller equipment, just change out the motor so much easier to just plug it in in any 240 plug.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:Have a look at it. If it runs and appears to look in okay shape just buy it and figure out the rest later. $300 doesn't go far these days. Even a minimal amount of tooling would be worth the purchase price. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk:
Reply:It's possible to build a redneck phase converter using a few three phase motors.For myself, I opted not to go the variable frequency drive choice. They are designed for a specific machine, don't play nice with several different motors. Temperature moisture & dust kill them.Last edited by Willie B; 1 Day Ago at 08:29 AM.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:
Originally Posted by Willie B
It's possible to build a redneck phase converter using a few three phase motors.For myself, I opted not to go the variable frequency drive choice. They are designed for a specific machine, don't play nice with several different motors. Temperature moisture & dust kill them.
Reply:I have a little Sheldon too. They are baby size but still cool.3 phase static converter is super cheap - I'd just buy the mill and stuff for $300 and figure out the rest later.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I don't think you can go wrong for the price. I have a comparable mill made by Diamond and I love the machine, especially its size. Small footprint, 1" arbor and is able to everything I need it to do. You can always change out the motor easy enough. As long as it isn't totally worn out, Buy it.All you need to know about the Sheldon. http://www.lathes.co.uk/vernon/page3.html
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发表于 2022-2-9 15:52:16