Looking at a Tree 2UVR

[Duane_Kaufman]

Dear Sirs,

Full disclosure: I have not operated a Tree knee mill before (though I have used many different knee mills and benchtop mills in the past).
I am going to look at a Tree 2UVR mill today that is for sale near me:
HGR surplus item: 07231310035

The mill is not under power.
What are the easy things to look for, or stay away from?

Appreciate your suggestions!
Sincerely,
Duane Kaufman

 

[markba633csi]

I thought I read somewhere they use Universal Engineering "Z" collets, available at a few places (Galaxy, Tools-N-Gizmos, Ebay)
Also called double taper collets I think

 

[twhite]

Look for the same things as other mills wear on ways excessive backlash. Now an important one on a Tree is the collet locking. People tend to over tighten and lock the collets. Over time this wrecks the locking mechanism.

If bad pass!!!!

Edit: take some different sized endmills and check it.

Here is a short vid on how to correctly lock it.

Cutting oil is my blood.

 

[OTmachine]

Tree Tool and Die Works - Publication Reprints - 2UVR Vertical Mill | VintageMachinery.org

 

[Duane_Kaufman]

I thought I read somewhere they use Universal Engineering "Z" collets, available at a few places (Galaxy, Tools-N-Gizmos, Ebay)
Also called double taper collets I think

Yes, I believe that is true.
I went to look at it last week, and that is what was loaded in the spindle.

 

[Duane_Kaufman]

Look for the same things as other mills wear on ways excessive backlash. Now an important one on a Tree is the collet locking. People tend to over tighten and lock the collets. Over time this wrecks the locking mechanism.

If bad pass!!!!

Edit: take some different sized endmills and check it.

Here is a short vid on how to correctly lock it.

Cutting oil is my blood.

Dear twhite:
I went to look at it last week, removed the nut and collet, and measured the run-out from the inner surface of the spindle - much less than 0.001" run-out.