Milling machine identification

[Gareth J]

Hoping to get to an auction next week with this "pillar drill" listed.

Looks pretty grubby but you never know. Would be nice to be armed with some idea of what it is before I get there.

Not looking forward to it, everyone and their auntie tends to go to these things and there's so much junk, it'll take all day. Got to try though!

 

[penfold]

It looks quite like an Abene.

 

[Pete.]

Doesn't matter what it is - buy it.

 

[julianthegypsy]

That looks like a definite Just Buy IT job to me. Worry about what make it is later, but basically, who cares? It's a solid horizontal/vertical mill and they are immensely useful and hard to come by at sensible money.

 

[Gareth J]

Who said anything about sensible money!

The last one of this type I went to, was crammed and by the time you take into account commission and VAT, some stuff was going for more than new price?!

But I'll go along anyway and see what happens, there's a complete workshop dispersal so likely to be something I want!

Thanks for the replies

 

[Pete.]

I wish the photo was a bit better it's frustrating when you get just one blurry aspect. It's kinda Abene-like in layout but differs from any other I can find photos of and none of those have the knee raise handle on the left.

Other than that, it looks to have fairly substantial ways and a heavy cross-slide. That big old motor on top and the exposed belt guard makes it old. At a pure guess I'd say 1940's or earlier.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Is that a universal mill and the bit sticking out the front the overarm?

 

[Gareth J]

Thanks chaps, that's the only photo I'm afraid. I've emailed the auctioneers for any other information but I won't hold my breath. I doubt whoever labeled it "pillar drill" will be a lot of help anyway.

Lots of decent welding plant and some heavy fabrication stuff if anyone's close to west Devon;
http://www.kivells.com/sites/default/files/sales-catalogues/06.02.16 - CAT_0.pdf

 

[Maker]

I've never seen a pillar drill with an overarm support before.

 

[Pete.]

Is that a universal mill and the bit sticking out the front the overarm?

Depends on what you call a universal. A true universal would have a rotating bed IMO.

 

[julianthegypsy]

Depends on what you call a universal. A true universal would have a rotating bed IMO.

That's why I said horizontal/vertical, I couldn't see whether the bed could be rotated or not!

 

[I'm getting on a bit]

You maybe lucky with the price as dealers won't want a machine that doesn't conform to h&s

Maybe even companies with employees won't touch it

 

[Gareth J]

You maybe lucky with the price as dealers won't want a machine that doesn't conform to h&s

Maybe even companies with employees won't touch it

Hopefully. There's quite a few Fred in shed types too though. One acquaintance of mine will be there for sure and I know he's keeping his eye out for a mill. Tbh, this would probably suit him better than me anyway so will have to find him and have a conversation, no point bidding against him.

Auctioneers have said I can have a look before the auction which is great. Annoyingly I have to go to the yard tomorrow and it will be delivered Thursday.

 

[Gareth J]

For anyone curious, it's a van Norman.

It's a nice size for me and isn't in too bad a condition for the age. Bit loose in the middle and tight on the ends of travel and the lower gib is loose but the ways and screws are all well oiled.

Don't know where the nice big vice that was in the other picture was though or if/where there is any tooling which is annoying.

Will have to see!

 

[julianthegypsy]

Very nice! The vertical head tilts in both directions too, that's pretty cool, congratulations on bagging that one!

 

[I'm getting on a bit]

So was it a bargain then

 

[Gareth J]

No. I went for a pre viewing today. Sale's tomorrow. Supposed to be tipping it down which is excellent news

 

[I'm getting on a bit]

No. I went for a pre viewing today. Sale's tomorrow. Supposed to be tipping it down which is excellent news

Good luck

 

[Pete.]

Nice machine Van Norman made great equipment

Some literature:

VintageMachinery.org - Van Norman Machine Tool Co. - Publication Reprints - Van Norman No. 12 Brochure
VintageMachinery.org - Van Norman Machine Tool Co. - Publication Reprints - Van Norman No. 12 Installation and Parts Manual

 

[tinman123]

the vice that was on it was worth the best end of £130 odd but its possible its another lot.
might be no harm that its not on it as it id only drive on the price.