Subject: Re: Van Norman mill

From: [email-masked]
Date: 17 May 1996 08:33:14 -0700

I also have a Van Norman 1/2 mill.  It was my father-in-law's.  I'm looking for
a manual (will pay for copying/shipping) and recommendations on sizing a 
replacement motor.  The current motor is 1725 rpm, 1 HP, single phase,
NEMA type 66, made by A.O. Smith (AO smith has no recollection of making such a
beast either).  I would think 1HP is enough -  thoughts?  

As Larry states below I also need to scrounge around for some 5V collects and I
probably need to replace the drawbar - internal threads are shot.

Is there a way to determine the age of the machine?  The only date I could find
was the patent date - 18xx.  One thing I found curious was that the small 
locking screws (gear/shaft) were 1/4-24 thread instead of 1/4-20 or 28.

Thanks,

Bob 

In article <[email-masked]>, Larry says...
>
>news:[email-masked]
>[email-masked] (Steve Welk) wrote:
>>Are there any sources for parts/documentation for Van Norman mills out there?
>>The unit in question is a model #22.  Any comments about this unit would be
>>welcome, as I've come across one at a pretty reasonable price & am thinking
>>about buying it.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Steve   
>Steve-
>
>I have a Van Normand 1/2 (no miss-print, it's really a one-half!) which
>dates from 1943.  It has three sets of flat belts and pulleys and 
>stands almost seven feet tall.  It goes clikety-clikety and looks like
>ancient history.  However, it also has turned out some surprising 
>work.  My unit is a "Universal" mill, the head can be rotated up to
>ninety degrees to perform vertical or horizontal work or anything in
>between and is equipped with power feed in one axis.  
>
>Most of the Van Normands I have seen use 5V collets which can be hard
>to come by.  I have been scrounging them for a couple of years and 
>have finally acquired enough to be useful.  So make sure you get all
>the collets you can from the seller.  If the model 22 is a universal
>machine make sure you get the horizonal arbor too.  
>
>I finally started making my own end mill holders and found it to be
>very simple and far superior to holding the end mill in a collet.
>
>One of the limitations of the 5V collet is that the maximum size 
>available is 5/8".  Since the body of the collet is only .850" in
>diameter it is not possible to hold a 3/4" straight shaft tool in
>a collet.  This limits the selection of cutting tools that can be
>used in the machine.
>
>I have been reading the comments on this newsgroup about only buying 
>mills that are equipped with an R8 spindle and I think that for many 
>people some of the older machines (like Van Normands) would actually 
>represent a better bargain and be a more useful machine since most
>of them are universal mills.
>
>I paid nothing for my machine, all I had to do was move it.  It broke
>down into component parts and was easily moved with my pickup truck.
>My machine is one of the smallest that Van Normand made and is perfect
>for model work (live steam locos, etc.).
>
>A friend of mine has a Van Normand model 12 which is also a universal
>mill and he is very happy with it.  
>
>Good luck!
>
>-Larry
>
>

---

From: [email-masked] (WRitt)
Date: 18 May 1996 02:01:03 -0400

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] writes:

> One thing I found curious was that the small 

Sorry I can't help you with your other questions, but the 1/4-24 thread 
was a standard at one time. I used  to build old Harleys and this was a
common size on them. I still have a 1/4-24 tap set.

Bill Rittner