Hello Fellow Machinists,

I have discovered an interesting old machine at a clearance sale and before buying it, I would like to know more about it, with your help please.

The machine is a form of horizontal milling machine of German origin. A nameplate bearing “Schuchardt & Schütte Berlin” is attached to a small door on the RHS of the column; “MASCH. FABRIK PFAUTER CHEMNITZ” is cast on the LHS of the column. The column is quite narrow compared to its depth and is one casting down to its rectangular base; the column blends into the base via beautifully curved surfaces, not unlike the machine here The German mill is of a similar size to this mill.

It has a driven pulley with 4 flat belt surfaces (one V-grooved for driving with an electric motor). There is what appears to be a backgear system in the column with a shaft going forward to power the table; there is a 3 gear train at the rear of the column which seems to be connected to the shafts in the column. The overarm is about 75mm dia. and has 2 supports for the arbor. I could not ascertain the arbor taper.

The really interesting part is the table which is unlike a standard milling table. It is about 1m long and about 200mm wide and can rotate for helical milling. The T slots do not continue for the whole length of the table. The LH end is fitted with some interesting apparatus – see photo. The front face of the table has two machined openings at the RH end where something has been removed.

If anyone can provide any information about this old machine, I will be extremely grateful.

Cheers,

Phillip