- Joined
- Aug 21, 2017
- Messages
- 42
I've posted a touch about this in the Tool Junkies area, but figured it deserves it's own thread as well.
To preface this, I know more than the normal citizen about machining, but I've never run a lathe/mill before. I've been a mechanic and welder on my own projects for 15+ years, and I'm mechanically minded, but I've got more to learn than I know.
I recently inherited a full shop worth of stuff that was my uncle's. Included in that was a 12x37 Enco Lathe and a Clausing (Atlas) 8520 Mill.
I just moved them home over the weekend and got them into position, or at least close to last night.
Here she is as I found her at my uncle's (now my aunt's) shop:
I pulled the top assembly off and covered the bed with painters's tape for the move:
And got it into position last night:
The garage is a work in progress, but I've got 3 kids, ages 5 and under including a 3 month old, so if I get one or two studs worth of insulation up each night, I'm doing pretty good. By the end of winter, it'll be insulated, drywalled, taped, and painted. That's easy compared to the electrical and plumbing fun I've had in there getting gas/water/air, and 45 more outlets added.
Ok so first, a list of the accessories I got for it (just the ones more tied to the mill):
Palmgren ~8" Rotary Table
Nice set of Clamps
Simple Collet Set
Several chucks, including a nice Albrecht
100s of Endmills, literally I kept 60 brand new 1/2" Double Ended, 4 flute endmills of a box of 100+ (I left the ones with chips or wear)
100s of Reamers
A box of taps/dies
A couple fly-cutters
Various work holders (v-blocks, angle plates, etc)
Vise
So something you'll see right away is that I don't have a vise. My cousin kept the vises from my uncle for his shop (more of a car garage) and to go with the drill press he took. That's fine as they we very old and of unknown make/model.
That said, from what I can see and have read online, a 4" vise would be a good size for the mill. I'm leaning towards a Kurt D40 for a few reasons:
Made in USA (actually in Minnesota about 30 miles from where I'm at)
Seems like their stuff is quality
The right size for the mill.
Is that a worthy purchase? Or should I get a cheaper version (like this 4" vise with swivel base from Grizzly) to start with and learn on?
I'd hate to ruin a Kurt as I'm learning how to run this machine or if I grab the wrong handle as I'm milling something, the grizzly seems like a sacrificial piece, but if it's going to be so bad that it makes learning a pain, I'll go straight for the Kurt.
I don't mind spending the money as I was going to buy machines anyway and ended up inheriting way more than I need to get started.
VFD
Is a VFD and new motor worthwhile for this? Maybe for down the road or if the motor doesn't seem very healthy. I saw someone on YouTube who put a DC motor with speed controller on an 8520 and the variable speed seams like it would be nice and you can still adjust range using various pulley positions.
If I do a VFD, what size motor? Is 1.5HP enough? The stock motor is a 3/4hp, but I know you don't get full power when using a VFD for a 3ph motor.
DRO
Again, I was looking at buying new machines to get into this hobby, specifically stuff from Precision Matthew's. One of the things I'm very interested in is a DRO to help increase accuracy, especially for someone like me who may start drilling a 6 hole bolt pattern and it could take 3 days to drill all 6 holes because of my limited free time. If I can rely on a computer to get me in the right spot again instead of spending half my time measuring things out and getting back in the mindset, I could see that being worthwhile. I'd prefer something that could connect to a computer or a tablet for better display and more options. Any recommendations for a modern DRO setup with scales that wouldn't take forever to install, that wouldn't hinder operation, and can be flexible with connectivity?
Foot Control
Anyone ever used a foot switch instead of a lever switch to control either the mill motor, or maybe a dual position foot switch for a power drive?
Something like this for the power drive I'm going to build: https://www.ebay.com/itm/-/370769670545,
I'd wire it where the left switch moves the table left, and the right switch moves it to the right.
Or the single foot version for the spindle motor.
As a TIG welder, I'm used to foot control where if you need to stop the operation, you lift your and everything stops.
Maybe bad ideas, but I like the idea of having both hands free and not needing to reach back to the column to turn it on/off.
Paint
I've been told by a few people to leave the mill and lathe as is, basically to enjoy the patina. But as I finish the garage, I'd like to make these look nice again, especially considering this 8520 has already been painted over before, so I wouldn't be preserving the original paint/finish anyway, and a late 80s Enco Chinese Lathe isn't anything worth preserving.
That said, I'm considering either just a dark grey or even satin or flat black to match my toolboxes. I've used rustoleum in the past, is that a horrible idea? These aren't going to be show pieces, but I also don't want my wife to moan every time she walks into the garage.
Anything else I should look at as "must have" for this mill or any other advise and I get it cleaned up and ready to go? Types of oil/grease to use, things to watch for/check, stuff that breaks easily, etc?
To preface this, I know more than the normal citizen about machining, but I've never run a lathe/mill before. I've been a mechanic and welder on my own projects for 15+ years, and I'm mechanically minded, but I've got more to learn than I know.
I recently inherited a full shop worth of stuff that was my uncle's. Included in that was a 12x37 Enco Lathe and a Clausing (Atlas) 8520 Mill.
I just moved them home over the weekend and got them into position, or at least close to last night.
Here she is as I found her at my uncle's (now my aunt's) shop:
I pulled the top assembly off and covered the bed with painters's tape for the move:
And got it into position last night:
The garage is a work in progress, but I've got 3 kids, ages 5 and under including a 3 month old, so if I get one or two studs worth of insulation up each night, I'm doing pretty good. By the end of winter, it'll be insulated, drywalled, taped, and painted. That's easy compared to the electrical and plumbing fun I've had in there getting gas/water/air, and 45 more outlets added.
Ok so first, a list of the accessories I got for it (just the ones more tied to the mill):
Palmgren ~8" Rotary Table
Nice set of Clamps
Simple Collet Set
Several chucks, including a nice Albrecht
100s of Endmills, literally I kept 60 brand new 1/2" Double Ended, 4 flute endmills of a box of 100+ (I left the ones with chips or wear)
100s of Reamers
A box of taps/dies
A couple fly-cutters
Various work holders (v-blocks, angle plates, etc)
Vise
So something you'll see right away is that I don't have a vise. My cousin kept the vises from my uncle for his shop (more of a car garage) and to go with the drill press he took. That's fine as they we very old and of unknown make/model.
That said, from what I can see and have read online, a 4" vise would be a good size for the mill. I'm leaning towards a Kurt D40 for a few reasons:
Made in USA (actually in Minnesota about 30 miles from where I'm at)
Seems like their stuff is quality
The right size for the mill.
Is that a worthy purchase? Or should I get a cheaper version (like this 4" vise with swivel base from Grizzly) to start with and learn on?
I'd hate to ruin a Kurt as I'm learning how to run this machine or if I grab the wrong handle as I'm milling something, the grizzly seems like a sacrificial piece, but if it's going to be so bad that it makes learning a pain, I'll go straight for the Kurt.
I don't mind spending the money as I was going to buy machines anyway and ended up inheriting way more than I need to get started.
VFD
Is a VFD and new motor worthwhile for this? Maybe for down the road or if the motor doesn't seem very healthy. I saw someone on YouTube who put a DC motor with speed controller on an 8520 and the variable speed seams like it would be nice and you can still adjust range using various pulley positions.
If I do a VFD, what size motor? Is 1.5HP enough? The stock motor is a 3/4hp, but I know you don't get full power when using a VFD for a 3ph motor.
DRO
Again, I was looking at buying new machines to get into this hobby, specifically stuff from Precision Matthew's. One of the things I'm very interested in is a DRO to help increase accuracy, especially for someone like me who may start drilling a 6 hole bolt pattern and it could take 3 days to drill all 6 holes because of my limited free time. If I can rely on a computer to get me in the right spot again instead of spending half my time measuring things out and getting back in the mindset, I could see that being worthwhile. I'd prefer something that could connect to a computer or a tablet for better display and more options. Any recommendations for a modern DRO setup with scales that wouldn't take forever to install, that wouldn't hinder operation, and can be flexible with connectivity?
Foot Control
Anyone ever used a foot switch instead of a lever switch to control either the mill motor, or maybe a dual position foot switch for a power drive?
Something like this for the power drive I'm going to build: https://www.ebay.com/itm/-/370769670545,
I'd wire it where the left switch moves the table left, and the right switch moves it to the right.
Or the single foot version for the spindle motor.
As a TIG welder, I'm used to foot control where if you need to stop the operation, you lift your and everything stops.
Maybe bad ideas, but I like the idea of having both hands free and not needing to reach back to the column to turn it on/off.
Paint
I've been told by a few people to leave the mill and lathe as is, basically to enjoy the patina. But as I finish the garage, I'd like to make these look nice again, especially considering this 8520 has already been painted over before, so I wouldn't be preserving the original paint/finish anyway, and a late 80s Enco Chinese Lathe isn't anything worth preserving.
That said, I'm considering either just a dark grey or even satin or flat black to match my toolboxes. I've used rustoleum in the past, is that a horrible idea? These aren't going to be show pieces, but I also don't want my wife to moan every time she walks into the garage.
Anything else I should look at as "must have" for this mill or any other advise and I get it cleaned up and ready to go? Types of oil/grease to use, things to watch for/check, stuff that breaks easily, etc?