Vertical milling attachment

[slim_boy_fat]

While I wait for Maurice [Malcolm's cousin ] to arrive from @MattH I've been looking [as you do in those quiet moments] at attachments for the Myford, and saw this copy vertical milling attachment http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122261435134?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT - original ones are available but the one I spotted was twice the price.

Does anyone have experience of such attachments and if so, what are your observations? I'm aware of the limitations, but I have no room for a milling machine and can't go on depending on my mate who is a) in his 80s, and b) lives 40+ miles away.

I don't anticipate the need for machining big parts so one of these might provide an adequate solution.....?

 

[daleyd]

Have you seen this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112236203791?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

may go for daft money in the end but may be worth keeping an eye on.

 

[Mr shiney]

I have one for my Myford. Beware they are very limited in what you can do with them. Its very much a model makers attachment and is only suited for small parts. I persevered with it for awhile but bought a Dore Westbury in the end. The set up takes ages and you have to plan very carefully the sequence of operations. I found it much easier now to use the separate mill and how the advantage of being able to keep work in the chuck and move it between the machines.

If you are happy with small parts and simple operation it might work for you. I might even sell mine!!

 

[Seadog]

I have one for my Boxford. Invaluable when need to do some milling if you have nothing else. Of the two my preference would be the after-market one rather than the original. It is a lot more versatile since it allows you to tilt and rotate the table.

 

[MattH]

While I wait for Maurice [Malcolm's cousin ] to arrive from @MattH I've been looking [as you do in those quiet moments] at attachments for the Myford, and saw this copy vertical milling attachment http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122261435134?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT - original ones are available but the one I spotted was twice the price.

Does anyone have experience of such attachments and if so, what are your observations? I'm aware of the limitations, but I have no room for a milling machine and can't go on depending on my mate who is a) in his 80s, and b) lives 40+ miles away.

I don't anticipate the need for machining big parts so one of these might provide an adequate solution.....?

FYI, I've not forgot you!

 

[GrahamGKD]

I have one of the swivelling type for my Myford - it is a genuine Myford product which I have had since I was a lad and was into model engineering. As said above, they are a bit limited. The swivelling function is quite useful but I wonder whether the non swivelling version might be more sturdy?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Have you seen this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112236203791?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

may go for daft money in the end but may be worth keeping an eye on.

Thanks mate - bookmarked out of interest if nothing else.

 

[rikrobson]

I've got one for my boxford, but as @Seadog says its very limited in what you can mill. its got the be bolted tight down to the top slide or it will move on you. the forces in milling are in completely different directions to those in turning and the lathe has no real way of coping.

I have an old milling head attachment of a minilor mini lathe, that I'm going to mount on the ways of the Boxford and use the cross slide as a milling bed.

The problem I have is that I need a milling machine to make the part to fit on the ways.

 

[Gritineye]

I have one and it's good for making small parts, and good work can be done especially in aluminium.

They're not the stiffest of things so best to take them apart and inspect all mating surfaces (inc cross slide) for unevenness, a tiny raised knock or dent will make it almost unusable due to wobble.

Tighten all gibs and lock carriage if using cross slide, any backlash in lead screws will be exaggerated by milling so much care needed, and no climb milling, that's way too scary!

I would be wary of buying a used one without seeing it first, due to possible abuse.

By using some creative setups a lot of milling can be done just using the slotted cross slide alone, the milling attachment gives you easier compound angles.

 

[Gritineye]

Quite a lot of milling can be done on a lathe, here's one I made earlier:

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/thre...se-10f-11-using-lathe-only.20419/#post-175468

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Quite a lot of milling can be done on a lathe, here's one I made earlier:

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/thre...se-10f-11-using-lathe-only.20419/#post-175468

Thanks for sharing, hugely impressive stuff!!

 

[Seadog]

Here's an example of a job I did a few months ago. Putting two flats on a new T bolt for an Elliott machine vice after one sheared when I dismantled it.
Quite a tough piece of steel too.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Here's an example of a job I did a few months ago. Putting two flats on a new T bolt for an Elliott machine vice after one sheared when I dismantled it.
Quite a tough piece of steel too.

I would anticipate that's the sort of thing I'd be using it for, nothing huge or overly complicated.

 

[Richard.]

They are only for small parts but a little innovation can see bigger items milled off to half decent tolerances.
I flattened off my saw vice in mine. Took several movements and a fair bit of re clocking but it was within 0.1mm all over which isn't a great tolerance but a vast improvement over what it was when I chucked it in. I could only do a small section at a time Infront of the vice but it did the job. The washer played a very important roll as it was pulling forward when nipped up. Billy bodge strikes again on his baby lathe.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Slightly off my own topic, but I found this video about a collet chuck - go to 1:35 and hear language worthy of @doubleboost ........

But, back on topic

DOH!! Forgot the link.....

[Stupid old fart ]

 

[Seadog]

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Sorry, edited to correct stupidity

 

[Seadog]

@slim_boy_fat There's a near new slide on Home Workshop. Not cheap but worth a look

http://homeworkshop.org.uk/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&view=show_ad&adid=28432&catid=2