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- Oct 11, 2016
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So I went to look at an Ammco 7" metal shaper... Then I stumbled onto this, I mean I backed up and it was right behind me on the floor under a pile of stuff!!!
Burke Machine Tool No. 4 Mill
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- Oct 11, 2016
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This is how I found it The guy I got it from bought it at auction about 30 years ago from the company he worked for when they went out of business. It was in there maintenance department. I really don't know how long it has been sitting in his basement, but I plugged it in and it runs!!! It needs a lot of clean up and TLC, but I think it will make a great little mill!
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- Oct 11, 2016
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Working on the little mill today...
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Cut it out, you're making me drool on my keyboard.
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- Oct 11, 2016
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So I really didn't get too far today. Mostly just got machines moved around in the shop, and got the little mill off the floor. I had a wooden stand that came with my vertical mill, so I drilled a hole for the knee screw and set it on that! At least it is off the floor and easier to work on. I would love some detailed pictures of what the original stand looked like, I might try to reproduce it with sheet metal and a steel frame...
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- Oct 11, 2016
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Yes it is the original motor. 1/2 hp 1725 RPM, then the output is like 280 RPM. It runs nice and quiet.
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- Oct 11, 2016
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As far as the pulley set up goes, I have a couple of pictures that I took earlier today, and I will try to get some better ones tomorrow.
I hope this helps!!!
This is the motor side of the machine. The motor feeds the set of step pulleys in the center of the casting on the spindle, then there is another set of four pulleys on the back end of the spindle that powers the feed box.
I hope this helps!!!
This is the motor side of the machine. The motor feeds the set of step pulleys in the center of the casting on the spindle, then there is another set of four pulleys on the back end of the spindle that powers the feed box.
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- Oct 11, 2016
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I also have the belt cover for the motor side of the machine, and the cast iron cover that covers the pulleys on the spindle. The original switch was attached to that cover on the right side of the machine, but mine was moved at some point to the base. I will put it back to the original position after I get everything sorted out.
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- Oct 11, 2016
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So, been busy in the shop with some paying work... I did get back to poking around the little mill. Here is some more pictures of the beast!
The gear reduction motor.
The right hand side of the machine, with the spindle drive pulley in the middle and the feed pulley on the back. The arm and second pulley for the feed are removed, the shaft and bushing for the feed are really worn, so I will be making a new shaft and bushing for in the arm. I also cleaned up the table and cleaned out the oil holes. I did make one really bad discovery, the main screw for the x axis is bent on the left hand end right at the graduated dial. I guess I will have to try to fix that, just not sure if it will be fix or replace. The screw and nut are in really good condition, other than it has a bend two inches from the end. I don't think this machine has had a lot of use, there is still flaking visible on the ways, and the gib has almost no wear. The saddle and the knee are nice and tight so they just need a clean up. That is it for today, I hope to get some more time to tinker this week.
The gear reduction motor.
The right hand side of the machine, with the spindle drive pulley in the middle and the feed pulley on the back. The arm and second pulley for the feed are removed, the shaft and bushing for the feed are really worn, so I will be making a new shaft and bushing for in the arm. I also cleaned up the table and cleaned out the oil holes. I did make one really bad discovery, the main screw for the x axis is bent on the left hand end right at the graduated dial. I guess I will have to try to fix that, just not sure if it will be fix or replace. The screw and nut are in really good condition, other than it has a bend two inches from the end. I don't think this machine has had a lot of use, there is still flaking visible on the ways, and the gib has almost no wear. The saddle and the knee are nice and tight so they just need a clean up. That is it for today, I hope to get some more time to tinker this week.
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- Oct 11, 2016
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Ok so more work on the little mill today. I got the spindle apart and all cleaned, the Timken bearings are in great shape, as well as the rest of the spindle components. One of the plastic spacers behind the front bearing was broken, so I made a new one out of some similar plastic to the original.
Next step is to tear into the gear reduction motor and get it cleaned up, and replace the old cracked up wiring on the machine. I know the motor runs, but everything is full of saw dust. There was a wood shop in the basement where this was stored for a lot of years.
I also made another discovery on the top of the dovetail for the knee. It is hand stamped 10-449-44 right into the casting. The table also had 449 stamped on the bottom of it. I am thinking this is a serial number??? I'm not sure, if anyone has any insight please let me know.
It shouldn't be too much longer and the little Burke will be making chips again!
Next step is to tear into the gear reduction motor and get it cleaned up, and replace the old cracked up wiring on the machine. I know the motor runs, but everything is full of saw dust. There was a wood shop in the basement where this was stored for a lot of years.
I also made another discovery on the top of the dovetail for the knee. It is hand stamped 10-449-44 right into the casting. The table also had 449 stamped on the bottom of it. I am thinking this is a serial number??? I'm not sure, if anyone has any insight please let me know.
It shouldn't be too much longer and the little Burke will be making chips again!
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The spindle pulley looks like it has been changed or reversed- The large sheave should go towards the table- unless the factory did that on purpose?
Hard to say
Hard to say
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Come on I have to ask , how much ? I kind of gave up my quest for a Benchmaster , too expensive . One came up the other day near me for $950 . and it was gone in one day , I saw one posted here for $1500. and it was sold . Maybe I could afford a Burke ? Anyhow here is the stand .
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- Oct 11, 2016
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I gave $200 for mine, and they even loaded it up for me...
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- Oct 11, 2016
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So now it is all back up and running. I have rewired everything with modern wire, disassembled everything and cleaned it all, made a few small repairs, even flushed the nasty old lube from the gear reduction motor. It now runs great!!! I have even made a few chips with it. So now I have to decide what to do with it... I already have a much larger horizontal mill, so really don't need it... So maybe a coat of paint and who knows...