Has Anyone Heard of "Herter" Brand Tools? Mystery Knee Mill for Sale

[ChandlerJPerry]

Anyone have any insights about Herter machine tools? A quick google search and look on the usual haunts like vintage machinery is turning up nada. This knee mill is for sale in my area and I'm interested, definitely worried about parts availability and literature though . If it's all functional it seems like a decent buy for $1500. It looks similar to a J head Bridgeport, maybe lighter duty on some of the castings. Seller says the table is 42". Also posted this in the vintage machinery forum.

 

[benmychree]

I'd guess that the Japan Mfg. should indicate decent quality.

 

[markba633csi]

Looks like a fair departure from the Bridgeport design, so probably little to no part interchange.
Rare unit, Japanese- need to know the spindle taper; what collet size does it use
Also motor voltage-?

 

[ChandlerJPerry]

Looks like a fair departure from the Bridgeport design, so probably little to no part interchange.
Rare unit, Japanese- need to know the spindle taper; what collet size does it use
Also motor voltage-?

There is a collet set visible in one of the photos, hopefully goes with the machine and can answer the question of spindle taper. I am going to check it out today. Seller states it runs on single phase, I see a static phase converter is installed on the machine, so I would think 220v single converted to 208 three phase? If I do end up purchasing I will probably replace the static converter with a VFD.

 

[tcooper27]

Saw that one pop up on FB. Wish it were closer. I googled also and did not find much. I thought it was interesting that it has box ways instead of dovetails.

 

[ChandlerJPerry]

I went to check it out in person and snatched it up! It's similar in scale to the small Rockwell or clausing mills from what I can gather. Feels like a 1/2 scale Bridgeport. Operates smoothly and had what I felt was a reasonable amount of backlash on X and Y, around .020". Overall condition was good, it mostly just looks like it's been gathering dust for awhile. Spindle is an R8 but he wanted to hang on to the collets for his new Bridgeport.

The best part? He agreed to deliver it to my house about an hour away from him on a flatbed for $75. Will have to post some more details about it once I get it in the garage at home.

 

[matthewsx]

I went to check it out in person and snatched it up! It's similar in scale to the small Rockwell or clausing mills from what I can gather. Feels like a 1/2 scale Bridgeport. Operates smoothly and had what I felt was a reasonable amount of backlash on X and Y, around .020". Overall condition was good, it mostly just looks like it's been gathering dust for awhile. Spindle is an R8 but he wanted to hang on to the collets for his new Bridgeport.

The best part? He agreed to deliver it to my house about an hour away from him on a flatbed for $75. Will have to post some more details about it once I get it in the garage at home.

Small mill with a long bed, I like it.

Looks simple enough that if anything goes wrong you should be able to fix it.

Congrats,

John

 

[tcooper27]

Congrats, nice score.

 

[OTmachine]

Yes, I agree, “Nice Score”. Looks like it will knock down into easily moveable pieces, if needed.

 

[GJM]

Chandler,
How has this mill worked out for you? I am currently looking at one and was interested in your experience and if parts / etc. are available. I have been able to find nothing out about Herter mills, other than your posting.
Thanks,
Gary Moury