Old Conde Vertical Mill

[tonyk]

I purchased this mill more than ten years ago and was thinking of scraping it. Thought I would see if anyone can help ID this
machine. Here is what I know the tag says Conde LTD. 115/220 single phase 3/4 hp. The table jumps on the screw drive making it
unusable as a mill. I would like to fix it and maybe convert to a CNC. Any help or info would be get me started. I have no
experience in restoring mills, I do have good mechanical skills, I just dont know where to start. Everything works I just
need to make the table work properly.

 

[xalky]

Welcome to the forum.

It looks like a decent machine in the mini mill category. It looks more stout than the machines they are selling today.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "The table jumps on the screw drive making it
unusable as a mill." Your leadscrew might just need lubrication or it could be bent. The gibs might need to be adjusted. It looks like it's been sitting for awhile so I would try to get into the underside of the table and figure out exactly whats causing your problem. Sometimes a good cleaning, oiling and adjusting is all it takes to get something going better than new.

 

[tonyk]

Yes on all of the above. I believe the gibbs are loose, when tramming the table on a cut it jumps a thread and screws up everything. Not a straight cut and measurements are off. I need to take the table off. I guess my question is are gibbs and tram screws specific to a machine? I can't even find a picture of this machine let alone parts. The internet is a great tool for stuff like this you just need to ask the right question. Gibbs, tram screw are these the terms I should search? As the title says Newbe ). Also I hopr I am posting this in the correct category, as with the rest of my life someone will let me know when I am wrong.

 

[xalky]

This table should come apart fairly easily. I wouldn't fret too mach about it yet. I'd take it apart to see wahts going on. Before that though, shake the table front and back and left/right to get a clue where the problem is. Taking it apart and fixing it will help you to get to know your machine. Take pictures of it as you take it apart, if you fear not being able to get it back together.

 

[docn8as]

FWIW ...excessive table movememnt occurs from looseness on the ways ...gibs are loose. worn out ,broken , even missing ..

.my bridgeport M head was a throwaway , headed to the scrapper when it got diverted to me....wear is SO BAD that the gibs can not be adjusted tight enuf to prevent heavy shake ......to use it i have to keep a drag on the gib locking lever ...the unused axis MUST be SOLIDLY locked or it wiill cut on an angle.....if overlooked , it will jump exiting a cut & break the endmill / jam up the work.......paying attention to all , it IS usable....so much wrong including table tear outs & low spt from wear in the center ,that restoration is not reasonable...oh yeah ...80 thou lash on the feed screws....table SHAKE alsooccurs from asking too much of the mill , but this sounds like much more ...
best wishes
doc

 

[machinist18]

Several "IFS." If the crossfeed screw nut is stripped, and IF it is a standard ACME thread, and IF that is the problem. You might be able to order a piece of ACME threaded rod and some nuts from MSC corp. and machine a new set for your mill. Their phone # is 800-645-7270. Good luck.

 

[george wilson]

I bought an Enco knee mill several years ago as a mill for an extra shop we had started. The mill looked in fine condition when I bought it. It looked nearly new,in fact. Bright table and all. When I was fooling around,and locked the locking lever,I found the lead screw easily jumped the thread in the nut. That blasted nut was threaded no more than .015" deep!! No,it was not badly worn,just **** poor threaded very shallow to make it easier to manufacture at the Chinese factory. I could not find any parts for it as Enco had discontinued the machine. It looked just like a Grizzly knee mill,but when ordered,the parts were not at all the same. Finally,I sold it to a guy who could bother to fix up the piece of junk.

 

[Arnie]

I recently bought one of these and HM is the only site that had any info on this. I'm in the process of restoring. Its in pieces now. Just waiting on a new SS pan to place it on. That should be in today. I'll post more pics as it progresses. I painted it with Kilz Hamerite in Mid Green. The base and a smaller piece were stripped to bare metal.