Clausing mill

[Bill Pace]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Clausing-Vertica...QQcmdZViewItem

Was following the recent thread about the bench sized mills,--- and the favorable comments on the Clausing. Presently own one of the milldrills and am not especially happy with it, so I made a stroll thru ebay and spotted this Clausing. I know nothing whatsoever about this type of mill, and would appreciate comments on this one/type. Is this a 'smallish' machine (I cant handle a Bridgeport size), bout what would it weigh, ----800-1000lbs?? Any comments appreciated.......

Bill Pace

[SGW]

Search the archives -- there's been previous discussion of the Clausing milling machines.

For its size, it's really good, but it is smallish. Excellent quality. Weight is probably something under 800 pounds.

[sauer38h]

The Clausing mill is the Johansson mill, with a name change after Johansson was bought by Atlas Press. The Johansson, according to a factory advertising spec sheet, weighs 600 pounds.

Be aware that the Johansson and Clausing mills take 2 Morse or 7 Brown & Sharpe collets. I have not found this to be a problem as they are perfectly good collets, but people who have never heard of anything but R8 consider that a real turn-off.

Clausings are common on eBay. They usually sell in the $1000 to $1500 range, though sometimes as low as the $700s or as high as the $1700s.

Tony's site has, as usual, a load of info on these.

[This message has been edited by sauer38h (edited 12-06-2005).]

[Too_Many_Tools]

Before I would buy the Clausing I would also look at the comparable bench mill that is sold by Grizzley and others.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item...emnumber=G3102

Note the R8 spindle...it makes tooling it up easy.

I *hate* chasing after odd sized tooling.

There is also a Yahoo group that discusses this type of machine...search for "6x26millingmachines".

One can easily add a riser block to the mill to increase the Z height.

It is also offered with a power table feed.

As to fit and finish, the comparisons I have done with Clausing are favorable. One must remember that an used Clausing will have some wear...sometimes alot of it.

Many people in time will want to move up to a Bridgeport machine later but this size of mill fits well in the shop as a second operation machine so you can keep it. I often see people buying a machine and reselling later with the accompanying hassle and depreciation.

TMT

[MikeHenry]

Clausing claims the weight as 650 lbs, but that may be with a shipping crate.

I have an 8520 and don't find the MT2 spindle to be a problem so far as tooling goes. My drill chuck is fitted with a 1/2" straight shank as are a couple of my flycutters and a slitting saw arbor. The 2" Criterion boring head is available with an MT2 arbor, threaded for the drawbar. The only problem I've had is with tooling that has a 3/4" shank and for that I use a 3/4" end mill holder that was cheap from Busy Bee in Canada.

Mike

[sauer38h]

The specs are too often a bit vague when it comes to things like the spool base - does the height/weight include the base, or not? I've never seen a Clausing or Johansson mill which wasn't accompanied by the standard factory base. Might be ideal for Santa's elves that way, but not so good for anyone of a respectable height.

http://askmisterscience.com/johansson1a.jpg

http://askmisterscience.com/johansson2a.jpg

[BillB]

The Clausing lit. I have specifies the weight as 650# with base, but without motor. This is not listed as "shipping weight" so probably does not include the crate. Height specs I have include the base.

I'm with Mike on the tooling, a set of collets is all you really need, though I also have MT-2 shanks for chucks and boring head. Victor (VMC) in NY has this stuff for good prices.

The Grizzly mill looks like a combination of the Clausing & Rockwell designs. Never having seen one, I have no idea about the quality of execution.

I'm thoroughly happy with my 8520. Size of the work envelope is more than adequate for my needs (YMMV). Your first day with a knee mill should be enough to make you wonder why you ever put up with a round column mill drill.

BillB

[JCHannum]

I own a Rockwell, and consider that to be a bit nicer than the Clausing. It is a bit stouter, and does take the R-8 collets.

That said, there is nothing wrong with the Clausing. The machine pictured appears to be in good shape and is a good value at the $1500 opening price. It is probably in good condition, and is well equipped.

One advantage to the Clausing and Rockwell and other US machines, is that if taken care of, they will hold their value or appreciate, while the imports will depreciate.

The cabinet base is needed, or a bench with room underneath for the knee screw. That is probably while these are usually seen with the base installed.

[bob308]

istarted with an 8520 still have it. the one in the pic is a good buy. it already has the riser block in it. it is easy to move 2 bolts and the head and motor come off 2 men can handel that. the base comes off and the same 2 men can handel that. now the part that is left you will need 3 to move it. that is how i got mine out of the celler it was in.

msc has the collects and holders.

they are nice mills way ahead of any mill-drill you could buy.

[Bill Pace]

As usual, the info just comes pouring in.....Thanks to all!!

The MT2 issue isn't a big deal with me, though I'll admit to prefering R-8 (I've already got a good bit of it). This type/brand mill is sounding better and better, ...availiability of parts seem to be good, and should fit where the milldrill is, nicely, etc.

This one (on ebay now) sounds nice to me, and I wouldn't mind paying around the $1500 price, but......its a long way from me, which could get the cost in the prohibitive range. Anybody know of another for sale?-- nearer to N La. would be nice.....

I'll have to say the Griz 63102 and HF 40939 knee mills do look promising. Of course HF's price, at $1599 and $40 frt cost, sounds best. Yeah, I'll admit, I buy HF 'junk' and really have had good luck with it. But, I always make a good run at finding the American iron first