OT question for Machinists (Maximat lathe)

Mods please delete if this is to for off topic.

When my father p***ed he left me his Maximat lathe/mill combo from the 60's. Like this one http://www.lathes.co.uk/emco/page16.html

He never used the mill, only the lathe - didn't even have a belt on the mill. Anyway, I have it and the mill is running, but the only collet I have for the mill looks like it would only fit a drill bit. Much to small for a tool.

Anyone know where I can source a tool holder collet or chuck for a standard size tool? I want to learn to mill. ...small stuff in soft metal. Br***, aluminum etc...

And ANY milling advice for a novice.

Thanks for any and all help.

~ Carl

 

This may help. http://www.chaski.com/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=84375

 

If the mill has a #2 Morse Taper spindle, you can get a toolholder for it, such as 230718106268 on ebay

 

Man you guys rock!

Jim, as taken from the site above. "Unchanged at 9/16" bore and with a No. 2 Morse taper centre the spindle nose was hardened and carried either a 1.125" or M27 spindle nose."

I ***ume this is what you're referring too.

~ Carl

 

Yeah, I didn't read closely, sorry.

But if the spindle bore is anything "normal" then you should be able to find a toolholder for it...or, since you have a lathe, you can make your own tooling

 

No worries - I didn't expect you to read that whole thing.

Thanks for the great help!

~ Carl

 

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/
Lots of good stuff in here,
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/
These guys are more on the bigger business oriented side with the anti chinese/ harbor freight tools but there are alot of tips and tricks to be learned, and safe operation on both sites.

 

Great! ...upon doing more reading it looks like I might have a No. 3 Morse taper.

How can I tell which I have? Can I measure the tapered shank of the collet holder I have? If so, what are the measurements for a MT2 vs MT3?

Thanks again.

~ Carl

 

I highly recommend one of these as well.Doesnt have to be the latest edition, but its like the bible.

http://www.industrialpress.com/ext/StaticPages/Handbook/MH28Demo/MH28/Handbook.pdf

 

http://www.woodturners.org/tech_tips/morse_taper_sizes.htm

google is fun

 

Morse tapers are all the same as far as the degree of taper. A #2 will have about a 3/4 inch opening. A #3 will be nearly an inch. Be sure the tapers are clean and dry. Don't oil them.

 

Thanks again all!! Beers all around if you guys end up in NYC. ...I'll let you get back to your hot rods now.

~ Carl

 

I've had good service and prices from Little Machine Shop in California for my old Atlas 618. Their prices are good even with shipping and they had some things I just couldn't get anywhere else.

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/