Index mill, possibly a 40

[tk1971]

I just picked this mill up yesterday. It was almost a 200 mile round trip but I got it home in one piece.

I think it’s an Index 40 mill. Hopefully you folks can look at the pictures and lend me your collective experience. Where would the model and serial numbers be located on this mill?

The mill came with a 1/3hp motor in the back that drives a shaft for the X axis feed. The stepped pulleys for the auto feed are in bad shape. No belt cover.

Drive motor is a Craftsman single phase “General Purpose” motor. The specs are no longer visible.

Also came with a Universal Eng. Co. Z #9 B&S collet chuck stuck to the B&S 9 taper. Currently soaking the spindle with Ed’s Red (a solution with equal parts Mineral Spirits, Kerosene, ATF, and Acetone), to see if I can get that chuck off later.

There appears to be some mechanism to automatically feed the quill. I can’t figure out how to engage the lever which engages the gear. The lever could be too gunked up to properly engage, as it really doesn’t have much of a throw to it. On top of the quill auto feed mechanism, there is a belt pulley (in bad shape) that isn’t connected to anything (no belt). Does one of the steps on the spindle pulley or middle pulley, or even the motor pulley engage the auto quill feed pulley?

Rotating the head: I loosened the 2 bolts and tried turning the square keyed mechanism at the back of the mill. Not budging. I’m thinking this is the proper way to turn the head. Or is it strictly a manual operation and the head is just stuck? If so, what does that crank at the back of the mill do?

I’ll need to figure out the wiring as I suspect the fuses are bypassed when the previous owner swapped out the original 3 ph motor with a 1 ph motor.

I think I’ll disassemble clean/lubricate and change out the spindle bearings on this mill. I don’t want to strip/paint it. I want to keep/use the auto feed for X and Z. I may need to source parts for those. I need to test the feed motor too. I’ll need new belts as well.

There is a vise too. The only markings I can see is “Japan”. Also, a 5/8” Z collet and a 5/8” straight shaft drill chuck.

Ultimately, I’m eyeing a ER40 B&S9 chuck with a set of collets. I’m also looking at a set of B&S9 collets, but may nix that idea depending on how hard it is to remove that Z collet chuck that’s likely been stuck to the spindle for decades.

Picture time…

 

[7milesup]

I have nothing to add except that has to be the smallest trailer I have ever seen a milling machine transported in.

 

[tk1971]

I have nothing to add except that has to be the smallest trailer I have ever seen a milling machine transported in.

Yeah, I get that a lot. It’s completely reinforced from the frame up, so it’s up to the task (weight-wise).

 

[matthewsx]

Here's a little info if you haven't already seen it.

Page Title

Congrats, looks like it'll clean up nice.

John

 

[T. J.]

Nice score. In case you haven’t already found it, you can download a manual here: https://www.wells-index.com/manuals

 

[tk1971]

Found the serial number: 40H2659

Also, it’s missing the stepped flat belt pulley on the auto quill feed, along with the spring loaded tensioner and that entire upper housing. Instead, there’s a crooked random V-Belt pulley grafted in place.

Saw a video of a guy removing a stuck B&S9 tool by having it clamped into his vise and lowering the knee to provide some downward force while whacking on the drawbar.



Chucked up a piece of scrap on the lathe. 5/8” on one end and 3/8”-16 on the other to mate with a T-nut that came with the mill. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t work. I may heat up the Z collet chuck and try again later.

I may have better luck on the press after removing the whole spindle from the mill, I’m sure the setup on the press won’t be easy (because… why would it?).

Oh, and I’m going to machine a tool on my Rusnok 70 mill to remove the brass nut on top of the spindle using leftover 1-3/8” OD DOM that I used to make a 5C draw tube for my lathe.

I got a 3ph 1.5hp motor that I’m going to wire up with a VFD. I’m going to try snd keep the existing pulleys first with new belts first.

 

[tk1971]

I tried heating the chuck with the 5/8” stock and T-nut attached to the table while applying downward force with the knee. Still didn’t budge. That chuck is pretty stuck on the spindle.

I’m going to try disassembling it down to the spindle and put it on the hydraulic press.

Also got my $25 serial number card.

Here are some pics.

 

[tk1971]

Well, the quill is out. Waiting for a pin spanner to arrive before further disassembly.

I’m not sure further disassembly is possible with the Z collet chuck stuck in the spindle though.

Looking at the drawbar, the threads are all beat up, presumably due to my recent attempts to remove the chuck, but then again I never looked too closely at the threads so it could have been like that when I got it.

My inclination is to turn a larger diameter rod than the tip of the drawbar to see if I can get it to rest on top of the BS9 chuck on the taper end and not engage the threads then place the quill on a hydraulic press and finally get that chuck off of there.

Any words of wisdom? I will decide after finding out if I can remove the spindle from the quill with the chuck still stuck.

Anyway, here are some pics from today.

 

[Zack]

Got you a 40. They're good old machines. Looks complete. Mine didn't have the power quill or power feed when I bought it and I doubt if I'll ever put one on it.
Hows the play in your Y and X axis? And yes, that is a very compact trailer.

 

[tk1971]

This will either work out or be a spectacular failure.

In order to remove the 2x7007 angular bearings, I had to cut the head off the BS9-Z collet that is hopelessly stuck to to the spindle.

I drilled into the stuck tool to the threaded section. Started with 1/2” then switched to a boring bar setup that will eventually get it to 3/4”.

Once I get it to 3/4”, I’ll use the taper attachment at 1:20 to thin down that stuck tool. I’m hoping to thin it out, crush it in and knock it out with the drawbar. At least that’s the plan.

Man, I need to find a steady rest for my lathe.