What you can buy for $1400 - Tool Gloat: Mills and Drills!

[Fasttrack]

Well I made a big purchase today. I checked scrap prices and, after putting the machines on a scale, I reckon I got $1750 in scrap iron for $1400, at the very worst. At the very best, my brother-in-law and I are the new owners of some nice equipment.

I bought the following two pieces:

A Kearney Trecker 2D rotary head mill in excellent condition. Mr. Oder on the PM has informed me that it was one of 15 finished in Feb. of 1957. It has been, I believe, professionally rebuilt not too long ago as there is still frosting on the longitudinal ways and the knee-to-column ways. This is very precise, regular frosting that is very shallow and you can see scrape marks on the knee-to-column ways. I suppose, based on the pattern, that this would be produced by something akin to a Biax power scraper. All the features work beautifully, from the built in air compressor (the taller motor featured in the third photo) and coolant pump (the shorter) to the rotary head feature. It has rapid traverse for the knee and power on all axis. It came with a working DRO and the power bracket to drive a rotary table or dividing head. Note in the fourth picture the built in step in order to change the CVT. There is also a hand-hold cast into the top. The spindle speeds are "infinitely" variable from 250 to 4000 rpm. All of this for only $500! Very many thanks to Mr. Hunt from the PM forum who passed along this deal.





Not that this is neccessary with a DRO - but how cool is this? They've got pockets for DIs and a track for gauge blocks!




You know it's a man's mill when you need a step up to get to the belts :-D

[Fasttrack]

Next up in my lineup - An Avey drill press. I don't know anything about it and if anyone can tell me about Avey, I would be delighted. I expect it is a UK brand since the motor is 50 hertz (2 hp). Anyhow, it was $300 and I'm not even sure if it is in good working order or not. The table feels sloppy on the ways. The gib may just need to be snugged up or it could be more serious, but drill presses are fairly simple and I figured I could get it working. The gearing seemed ok when spun by hand (not much of a test, I know). This came from a good family friend and he said it was working when taken out of service, so we'll see! Ugly color though ...






The table is in remarkably good condition - no holes/dings etc...

[Fasttrack]

Then my brother-in-law's machines...

We picked up this Milwaukee 2H for a wopping $100. I think it is useable, especially for the rough sort of work he wants to do with it. It made me sad to see it, however. It is clearly beyond my skill to rebuild "properly" as someone appears to have taken a grinder to the ways. Overall, it is in rough shape but 100 bucks is less than scrap value so if it doesn't work out it may be parted out and then sold to the junk man.




It's also missing some handwheels...




Here's a novel shot - taken from atop the drill press table. Not too often you get to look down on these machines ...

[Fasttrack]

Last one - The beast!

This machine scared the snot out of me trying to get it loaded. Talk about top heavy ...

It is a Footburt Hammond knuckle drill built in 1938. It is listed as a "sensitive" drilling machine and was used extensively for tapping. It has motor-reverse trip dogs and came with a quick change chuck and tap head. Pretty slick set up. Needs some cleaning and a good, thorough inspection. Cost: 500

This thing is HUGE! The base is 4' by 6' and stands 7' tall.






(That boot measures 14" long)


Hopefully these images give you an idea how the knuckle works ...

(Ok - I'm done. I can't help posting excessive numbers of machine tool pictures - I appologize for those of you on dial-up connections)

[lakeside53]

let me be the first to say it.

YOU SUCK!


Envy is such as terrible emotion...

[hardtail]

Well bought a fridge today for $1350 after I got back from holidays and threw 200 lbs of stinkin rottin food in the garbage........BUT how can that really compare to K&T's.......LOL

I have had my sincere and apprehensive appreciation both for PM at times but I'll be the first one to say John Oder is one of the finest individuals that constantly gives back to the trade.........the man is an icon in my books.........great score FT.......smile.......oh and U SUCK........LOL