Have I been an idiot?

[Maker]

For getting a horizontal mill?

With the table at it's lowest with a drill chuck in, there's less than 5 inches of clearance from the table. I know last year when I asked about getting a horizontal mill you (shox dr and brightspark spring to mind but I'm sure there were others) all warned me about this and the lack of quill feed. I've drilled one hole so far and I'm sick of it.

I promise I'll take your advice next time guys.

I wonder if I can fit a vertical mill in here too? There's a Herbert No.10 on the bay for £200...

I better get saving.

 

[MattH]

Get some taper collets, I presume it's Morse2. That will give you a load more clearance.

 

[Spark plug]

Stick with it for the time being, see how you get on after a few jobs, like Matt says if you can hold a drill in a collet you will get an extra 2 inches.

I have heard of people mounting a Bridgeport head on Union / Harrison horizontal mills. It involves making a big angle bracket to mount the head highter up. You get several advantages mainly a quill.

 

[Maker]

I have heard of people mounting a Bridgeport head on Union / Harrison horizontal mills. It involves making a big angle bracket to mount the head highter up. You get several advantages mainly a quill.

I thought about this before I got a new motor but I figured I'd need a mill to make the bracket. Chicken and egg scenario. They don't come up for sale very often though but I'll keep an eye out.

Any recommendations of where to get Morse collets? I don't see them on eBay very often.

 

[MattH]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=111717441748&globalID=EBAY-GB

 

[MattH]

Or:

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/...2E0-4CFC-B1C7-02C9FA4E061E?da=1&TC=SRC-collet

 

[Maker]

Thanks. Have you tried either of them and can comment on their quality?

 

[MattH]

I used to have a set of the bigger MT3 collets from machinemart years ago when I had a round column mill/drill. They seemed fine.
For drilling and such on an old mill like yours super accuracy isn't really an issue. I'd happy grab the Chinese ones which I'm sure would do you fine.

 

[Maker]

I'll order the far east ones tonight. Thanks for your help. I'll still keep a close eye on eBay for local bargains.

 

[Spark plug]

Is the mill your only means of drilling holes or do you have a pillar drill also?

You could also use morse taper shank drills!

 

[Maker]

I don't have a pillar drill yet, it's on the (Very long*) list of tools I need to get.

There's a Progress No.1 with a damaged pulley shaft, apparently it's an easy fix, looks like a little bit of lathing is all that's required. It's in north Yorkshire though

 

[Wallace]

Use a lower vice or clamp on the table?

 

[Maker]

Use a lower vice or clamp on the table?

I should gain about three inches back with the collets. I need to get myself a set of toe clamps (Or some steel and make my own) before I can clamp to the table.

I've also got to sort out the drawbar for the horizontal spindle so I can have a go with it like that. It might be more useful with an angle plate or tilting vice so I can use it without the universal head. I think I've seen a picture from brightspark using it like this.

 

[MattF]

I don't have a pillar drill yet, it's on the (Very long*) list of tools I need to get.

There's a Progress No.1 with a damaged pulley shaft, apparently it's an easy fix, looks like a little bit of lathing is all that's required. It's in north Yorkshire though

You really ought put a pillar drill at the top of your list. It's one of those basic necessities.

Keep your eyes open on Ebay for a while. There's no shortage of good drills turn up down your way.

 

[Rocketman]

Thing is if you get a reasonable vertical you can get away with not having a pillar drill. I'd be more inclined to sell the horizontal and put the funds towards a vertical with reasonable z axis travel.

 

[Maker]

Thinking about it all a bit more, I think the only way I'm getting more machines is in a year or so when I can drive so I'll be able to go and collect it myself...

Which means I really need to be saving to get a car. And as I'm not gonna get any proper machines in a Corsa or a Punto, what do you think to a landrover as a first car?

 

[Mr shiney]

Thinking about it all a bit more, I think the only way I'm getting more machines is in a year or so when I can drive so I'll be able to go and collect it myself...

Which means I really need to be saving to get a car. And as I'm not gonna get any proper machines in a Corsa or a Punto, what do you think to a landrover as a first car?

Only if you have a big wallet, plenty of time on your hands to and ability to fix the firkin thing...

Mine is yet again knackered after the water pump threw its bearing followed by all the coolant......

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Thinking about it all a bit more, I think the only way I'm getting more machines is in a year or so when I can drive so I'll be able to go and collect it myself...

Which means I really need to be saving to get a car. And as I'm not gonna get any proper machines in a Corsa or a Punto, what do you think to a landrover as a first car?

What about one of these as a practical vehicle:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331616898555&alt=web

 

[Spark plug]

What about one of these as a practical vehicle:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331616898555&alt=web

You may laugh but I know people the swear by the for bullet proof reliability, and the capability to make repairs with nothing but a sledge hammer.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

You may laugh but I know people the swear by the for bullet proof reliability, and the capability to make repairs with nothing but a sledge hammer.

They have one on the farm up the road that they use to deliver animal feed and bales locally, its completely bashed but still goes through the MOT every year.