Right, after much thinking time I decided I couldn't do without a quill on a new mill so I went for the Elliot Omnimill 00. The machine arrived this afternoon and has been stripped in to its main parts with most of it in my workshop except for the base. I`m going to power wash it first. Electrics have been removed as they are going to be fully replaced. This looks like a pretty good bit of kit and I`m looking forward to getting it running.

Edited By Ian McVickers on 03/05/2019 21:15:01

Clive, thanks the hole is indeed for the locking clamp. I will need to make one of those.

Base for the machine was power washed, done over with a cup wheel in my grinder and cleaned down with degreaser. Base coat of red oxide has been applied.

Nigel sent you a pm earlier but if you could send me a photo of the new motor you fitted to the vertical drive that would be great. It will give me an idea of what size motor I can upgrade to. I was looking at 1.5KW but it might be a bit too big.

Plan for tomorrow is to get the warco off of the concrete block and move the Omnimill base into position and get it bolted down. I had to extend the concrete block so its not level now so Im not sure whether to shim the base or bolt down some 20mm thick steel plates, one front and one back 500mm long by 100mm wide, and then bolt the machine to them although I do have some heavier ali plates that are larger so my go that way. If I go with plates then I can always grout under them.

Busy day in the workshop today. Warco mill moved off the concrete block. I thought this was going to be difficult but had an idea to use some large linear rail and bearings that's been lying around for ages. One of the things that you never really need but don't want to throw away.

So lifted the mill with my toe jack and set the rails and bearings, lowered the mill and a gentle push moved it along. Repeat 3 times and the mill is in its temporary home till it gets sold.

Aluminium base plate cut to size and resin secured bolts fitted in the block, packers fitted and plate levelled.

Omnimill base in position and painted. Had to make some 40mm diameter 6mm thick washers for securing the base to the plate.

Column fitted to the base.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get the column rubbed down and base coated. I don't have enough top coat so will need to order more and also need to wait till Tuesday to order the resin grout for finishing off the base. I would like to get the overarm back in position as well to look at what motor sizes I can get in.

Managed to get some more cleaning and painting done.

Snapped grub screw in the knee gib adjuster but thankfully it wasn't stripped or jammed so came out easily with a small point punch.

Also managed to clean up the aluminium pulleys but found a crack in one and had to remove a small part of the pulley but I don't think it will cause any issues.

Ive decided not to go with inverter drives for the horizontal or vertical so both motors have been ordered and should arrive mid week. I have a 400 Watt servo and amplifier so Im thinking about using it for the table drive. Still cant find any info on the net about the original drive motor fitted to it.

Philip, the yahoo group seems to be dead now. I tried to join and sent the required emails but haven't received any replies.

Peter,

I gave them a clean down with grease cleaning wipes. Any remaining stubborn bits got a gentle rub down with wd 40 soaked scotch bright pads.

Knee refitted today but I need to get another screw to replace the snapped one so that's tomorrows job. Also found the over arm support lock in the box of bits.

The rest of the parts on the head have been painted and fitted as well. Gear box cover replaced and oil changed.

Started cleaning up the table now.