Vertical Mill Slide

[Kpar]

Hi all, my last post got me sorted out so now another.
I realise most of you all have separate Mills and maintain that using the lathe as a mill is not ideal, but back in my younger days all my Dad had was a lathe and he used to do a fair bit of milling with it. Anyway I'm going to try.
First off I have a AL 320-G Model L141 and H&F show a mill Slide (L277) on there web site. It just says fits most lathes. Has anybody fitted one of these or another brand. I have sent them an E-mail asking for confirmation, so far no reply. Any input would be much appreciated.
Kpar

 

[Kpar]

I'll answer my own post Hare & Forbes got back to me and basically said to forget about a mill vice for the AL 320 G as almost impossible to adapt.
Best option buy a mill. Problem is no room in the shed.
Kpar

 

[bazmak]

Do you have a benchdrill ? If so get rid and make room for a small mill
Its far superior for drilling.I too had the same problem and sold the drill bought the sieg sx2 mill best thing I have done

 

[goldstar31]

I'll answer my own post Hare & Forbes got back to me and basically said to forget about a mill vice for the AL 320 G as almost impossible to adapt.
Best option buy a mill. Problem is no room in the shed.
Kpar

Years ago, I bought a 918( really, it was a 920 with a Myford spindle) and it had slots 'running the wrong way' to those on the previous Myford.

I got around the problem by fitting a subtable which enabled me to fit a vertical slide which came from a Zyto( which you probably have no idea about) and a George Thomas rear parting tool which was made up for the Myford.

I've prattled long enough and the answer is that I still have them.

What you have to beware of is 'false prophets' who simply want to sell you something.

Your father was right, he COULD do things on a lathe alone.
If you lash out for Sparey's The Amateurs Lathe Book', you will find that most of the present designs were made on a lathe alone.

Mills for home use came in about 1973- and you had to make the first one which, if my memory holds, was Ned Westbury's.
How do I know all this? I made one!

 

[Kpar]

Thanks Bazmak & Goldstar, Yes I have a pedestal drill stand about 10 years old a cheepy back then. A good suggestion in getting rid of it and get a mill. I guess i never thought of a mill as a drill. Checked out on line the "Sieg Sx2 Mill, just got to check suppliers in QLD. Plus a gift for the wife.
Kpar

 

[deeferdog]

Hey Kpar, I have the H&F Al 250 and I brought that mill slide and fitted it to my lathe. Worked OK. Not as good as a mill, never will be, but when it was all I had I found that there was generally some sort of set up that could be worked out. I had to drill and tap my cross slide to fit it but it was an easy job. To us it, I just removed the compound slide. If you are ever after one of their mills, I can recommend the Optimum BF-20LV. I've had mine for over a year now and love it. Prior to that I had the Sieg XP2 Hi Torque. It was OK and I learned a lot but they do have their share of problems, particularly the gibs and leadscrew backlash. In the end it was the size that made me sell it and go for the larger Optimum, with your 320 lathe I think you may find the same thing. I have just taken a quick pic with the slide on the lathe, its not bolted down but you should get the gist of it. Regards, Peter.

 

[goldstar31]

One of my 'contacts' who is a professional engineer but builds mode; locomotives using CNC mills and whatever has just mentioned that he still uses a vertical slide to bore locomotive cylinders rather than using his mill.

I have at least TWO vertical slides plus one on my Stent tool and cutter grinder. This brings the concept of the Tinker tool and cutter grinder which uses something similar as the basis of the Norman Tinker design.

Interesting , to say the least

Norm

 

[rodw]

First off I have a AL 320-G Model L141 and H&F show a mill Slide (L277) on there web site. It just says fits most lathes.
Kpar

I considered fitting one of these to my AL320-G but ended up buying a Sieg SX3 mill when I bought my Lathe. I don't think it would be too hard to fit either by removing the top slide and fashioning a mount to the circular slot or mounting it on the crosslide itself.

Interesting that we have just inherited a large lathe with a 70mm spindle bore at work and we wanted to machine some spanner flats on some 50mm dia control arms. Yesterday, the boys welded up a quick and dirty vertical holder that held the rods in place with hose clamps and it did a perfect job! We may end up buying that vertical slide ourselves as we don't have a mill. But it is a bit small ...

 

[Kpar]

Thanks ALL for your comments. After much reading & watching countless videos I ended up biting the bullet & ordered a SIEG SX2.3 with R8 spindle. It seems a bit more robust then other SIEGS in my price range.
Only time will tell if it was a correct decesion. Anybody else got one of these ?.
Kpar

 

[bazmak]

I contemplated upgrading to the 2.7 or the new 2.3 which is slightly cheaper
with a smaller motor I believe.I think it will be a good buy for you
I eventually made the decision to stick with my Sx2lf which does a good job
of everything I ask.Currently fitting DROs if you see my thread.Lets have a thread description when it arrives with photos Regards barry

 

[Maxjon]

Hi all, my last post got me sorted out so now another.
I realise most of you all have separate Mills and maintain that using the lathe as a mill is not ideal, but back in my younger days all my Dad had was a lathe and he used to do a fair bit of milling with it. Anyway I'm going to try.
First off I have a AL 320-G Model L141 and H&F show a mill Slide (L277) on there web site. It just says fits most lathes. Has anybody fitted one of these or another brand. I have sent them an E-mail asking for confirmation, so far no reply. Any input would be much appreciated.
Kpar

I'm about to fit the L277 to my AL340 Lathe, it will take a little fiddling, but very doable!

 

[Maxjon]

I mounted it today, combined with the base from one I made...the Chinese one is marginally better....

 

[Maxjon]

I mounted it today, combined with the base from one I made...the Chinese one is marginally better....

It's terrible! Waste of money! The one I made is better quality! Way less slop, the dovetail slides are as cast! I should have known, Chinese quality....

 

[Richard Hed]

It's terrible! Waste of money! The one I made is better quality! Way less slop, the dovetail slides are as cast! I should have known, Chinese quality....

Can you tweek the Chinese one? I bought one from India, as I wanted to help THEM rather than the Chinese. It was softish steel with edges un-broken. The handle on the screw was broken off because the maker had used a 1/8" drill to make an end hole instead of a counter bore. the metal holdin it was too thin as a resu.t. The moment I opened the package, I cut my thumb. On the outside, all parts were well made and lookt good and was tight. However, I wanted to see inside. I opened it up and it was made from SCRAP! LOL. Even with all it's faults, I would still recommend it. I communicated with the maker telling him that the handle had broken off. He said he would lose his profit if he had to send a new screw. I am not concerned about another person's profit especially when it is done in such a way.

I told him to break the sharp edges and get a proper counter bore. (He could also make one). He replied that getting a counter bore was very difficult as it was scores of miles away. (Yeah? do they have mail in India?) Anyway, I decided to let it go, as making a new screw would be a fun project and easy too. The thing was actually very well made. The screw turned easily without the handle anyway. The horrible thing is: I lost it in my shop and cannot find it!