Chester 836 Milling Machine

[Ian Skeldon 2Participant @ianskeldon2]

Hi Graham,

I'm sorry but i'm not sure how you would go about buying one of the cnc mills as used by Jason, I use a manual mill and have no experience of using a cnc mill myself. Having seen what Jason can do on this mill is impressive, in my hands it would just be gathering dust. I believe that Neil (forum admin) also has the same machine, but I have not seen any video of it in action. Might be worth contacting ARC as I believe they were the suppliers of said machine.

I think we need to start a new thread if we wish to continue talking about air rifles as we have strayed off topic somewhat.

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

Vic. I'm surprised how small the reg volume was on your FWB P700 – even for a 10m target gun. Seeing as the volume was that small, I'm sure your correct that it dumps the entire charge. I presume the holes drilled in the cylinder are the holes necessary for the regulator (vents any seepage past the piston and stem into the spring cavity). Very important they're in the right place….. (You would need to do this to make a larger valve/reg volume – if the reg is moved further away from the valve to give larger volume then a new hole has to be drilled to vent the space between the two reg body o-rings). Appologies if I'm telling grandma how to suck eggs!

Very interested in any info you can give me on the guns you knew of using double compression as most of my designs have 2 stages of compression.

The best attempt at a SSP I have seen is the recent (ish) one by Joe Hickey – a Canadian. The reason this works so well is the lever system – in my opinion. But, as always with SSP's (as there is with most things I suppose) there is a compromise and on that gun, it is bit awkward to cock in any position other than sitting down. Anyone interested should Google 'Freedom 700'

Graham

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

OK thanks Ian, and point taken about wandering off topic from the OP

graham

[VicParticipant @vic]

Yes sorry as well. Last on the topic. This is the one I saw some time back.

**LINK**

[fishy-steveParticipant @fishy-steve]

Posted by Graham Williams 12 on 27/07/2019 01:47:34:

Hi Vic, thanks for your input.

I do not have a problem with slipping belts. Please read my posts. The VMC has a toggle latch and a hinged lid with a quick release clamp on the motor mount…its a belt drive machine designed for quick ratio changes by slipping the belt….of course its no bother! If the Chester 836 and WM20 had a similar system I would be happy…

Graham

Edited By Graham Williams 12 on 27/07/2019 01:49:49

Hi Graham,

I've only just seen your post. (I'm on holiday at the moment)

The Chester 836 comes with VFD so no faffing with belt changes.

It will easilly handle what you intend to use it for.

Steve.

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

I thought I ought to respond as I started this thread. I looked at several of the Chester machines 836 and the 830VS as Chester are only a couple of miles from me. I also went to look at a local machinery dealer (well known to a colleague of mine) stock. I have to be honest that some of the final assembly on the Chester machines was I felt not up to a good standard. At the machinery dealers I looked at a number of Bridgeports in a range of conditions and also a few of the Bridgeport clones such as XYZ1500 and Acra. As we finished at the ones site he said he ahad another site a couple of miles away and had a excellent condition Gate PBM-2000. This a Taiwanese Bridgeport clone. My colleague had used Gate machines on and off for 20 plus years and said how good they were so we decided to go and have a look. One look and then on hearing it running a very quick decision was made. Buy it before anyone else did. It was immaculate. It was a 2008 machine but had never been used (or maybe only as a demo machine). Not a mark on the bed, some of the shipping grease was still on it, power feed to both X and Y, Power Drawbar, Automatic lubrication, 2 axis DRO, lighting, 3 phase, R8 spindle, Varispeed head.

He took my Chester Super Lux in Part ex, took my Excel Surface Grinder (had no space left for it), sorted out Imperial and Metric R8 collets, R8 keyed chuck, R8 keyless chuck. He said he would throw a vice in exchange for the Excel and a I went through his stock of vices and found a lovely Bison 155mm vice. (Result). The machinery removals company he used delivered the machine and put it in place and took my two machines away. A few days later I went back and collected a few more collets and adaptors.

Within a couple of hours the machine was up and running. All I have managed to do so far is make several batches of 'T' nuts so that I can utilise the clamping set that I used with the Chester mill. I have found having the knee is a revelation compared to winding down the quill.

All in all very happy with it and it will see me out, and best of all will not lose its value. I have since obtained a horizontal arbor for it and will be fitting 'Z' axis power feed.

As I am shutting my business down tomorrow (1st July) and retiring (age 69) then hopefully I can get to grips with the machine and start making stuff.

Colin

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Amend 1st July to read 31st July. (Well spotted and Thanks NDIY). No idea how to edit a post.

Colin

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

Hi Steve, thanks for taking some time out to post…You've put my mind at rest there! I've also had confirmation today from a very nice lady at Warco, that the Hi speed range is indeed 100-3000 rpm so 95% of time would be fine.

So, thankfully same situation as Warco Steve with the Inverter drive. If I buy new, this is at the top of my list. Thanks for confirming that (either) of these machines would be suitable.

Thanks for your thoughts on the Chester Colin. Talk about being in the right place at the right time….

You must be still on your knees thanking the gods for that one…

Seriously though Colin if you know where there is another identical machine………

I think it's lucky you had your mate with you, who was familiar with this brand. If your anything like me you tend to avoid any machines you've never heard of, there's so many similar brands out there…

Enjoy your retirement and enjoy your machine….

Graham

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

Just one more question Steve….

How easy is it to slip the belt if you do need the lower range – or have you never needed to do it?

I presume if you were in the high range all the time there would be enough torque to power tap say M8 at say 40 or 50 rpm?

Any additional info you could give me would be appreciated.

Sorry,  your on holiday…understand if you don't reply….

Graham

Edited By Graham Williams 12 on 30/07/2019 23:06:10

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

……..forget last question – probably plenty of torque via the inverter/3ph motor – issue is just one of heat dissipation and I'm assuming WM20 will have fan (same as WM290 lathe).?

Graham

[fishy-steveParticipant @fishy-steve]

Hi Graham.

No problem for me to reply but if you want specific details about the Chester 836 best wait for me to get back to work.

You should know that our machine has only one pully as supplied. It's a synchronous pulley and belt.

Just to add. My opinion of the machine hasn't changed from my first reply to Colin. This is NOT an industrial quality machine.

Steve.

Edited By fishy-steve on 31/07/2019 10:57:59

Edited By fishy-steve on 31/07/2019 11:12:37

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

Hi Steve.

When are you back at work

Thanks

Graham

[Norfolk BoyParticipant @norfolkboy]

Hi Graham

I have a WM20 i assume fan wise you are referring to the motor fan? On the wm20 it is permanently engaged when the machine is on. i can tell you it is not quiet. I have disconnected it on my machine. Always intended to hard switch or thermal switch or timer after running but have never found the motor gets hot enough to worry for what i am doing. Also the inverter fan parameter was set to permanently on i changed mine to 30 second run on after each use.

Alan

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

Hi Alan…..great to find someone with a WM20 – information is scarce. I know what you mean regarding the fan noise – when we visited Warco I had a quick demo of the WM290V lathe. I was put off by the constant fan noise, (which I wasn’t expecting). So much so, I have decided to go with a gear head lathe (GM1322 3ph – good deal at the moment). So back to the same dilemma with WM20 – nice to know you can disable (or control) the fan.

Can you give me a feel for the capability’s of this machine Alan? Only thing I’ve seen on YouTube is a similar Baliegh machine (more American/Canadian I think) and that is a 10 Slot mill taking a 35 thou cut through ally. Not really testing it much (I hope). I’ve seen smaller machines happily doing more than this!

i am still trying to decide between WM20 and going the same route as Colin with the second hand route on a 42” size Bridgeport machine, although I think the size of the WM20 is more in proportion with my shop.

any help appreciated

Graham

Edited By Graham Williams 12 on 01/08/2019 08:23:36

[Norfolk BoyParticipant @norfolkboy]

Hi Graham,

It's really difficult to be subjective about an opinion regarding capabilty as I cannot compare to a full size industrial machine. For me it came at the right price at the right time but there are niggles. But you are comparing two different beasts. For the amount of work I do it's fine, it's accurate and well more than powerful enough unless you intend to really hog material away it should be fine and the VFD will automatically counter any load.

An industrial machine is always going to be more powerful take bigger cuts and be generally made to a better standard. But how much use will a second hand machine have had?

Alan

[fishy-steveParticipant @fishy-steve]

Posted by Graham Williams 12 on 01/08/2019 00:11:59:

Hi Steve.

When are you back at work

Thanks

Graham

Hi Graham,

Back to work on the 12th. Feel free to PM me.

Steve.

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Graham,

I see that the company I bought my Gate PBM-2000 from have a couple in at the moment. I do not know what you want to pay or where you are located but they are Tracey Machine Tools in Burntwood and the machines are £4250 (and i guess +VAT). I am sure he would be open to offers. I have no connection with them other than being a satisfied customer

Colin

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

Alan, I understand difficult to be subjective unless you have used the larger machines, and really accept what your saying re used industrial machines. However…..

Thanks for the kind offer of further info Steve….

Colin. Thanks for bringing the Gate milling machines to my attention and thanks for finding the Gate mills for sale at the dealer you have used.

I went to view some PBM2000 mills at Gate machines today at Watford. I found Alain (the director) very knowledgable and helpful….I was able to run all the machines I was interested in, nothing was too much trouble, really helps with decision making – so I will be purchasing said mill from them.

Regarding condition….there are 4 PBM2000's – well 3 now! – and all are good machines (in my opinion). They have all come out of a Engineering training workshop – now closed because they couldn't get anyone to teach the subject – and like I say, mechanically sound….so if your in the market for a Bridgeport size mill worth a look…..

So hopefully that is my mill buying decision made…..thank you all who have took the time to help.

I will keep you posted if interested? But first I have the small matter of building a workshop as fast as possible before I can take delivery…..

Graham

[VicParticipant @vic]

I’ve sent you a PM Graham.

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Graham,

Glad to see you have found a PBM-2000. Alain is very helpful. I m shortly going to get a power feed for the Z axis. This will save me problems with my shoulder.

Best Regards,

Colin

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

Colin

Thanks…and I think the addition of a Z axis feed would be a great addition…my old shoulder might need one of those as well

Graham

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Graham,

My right shoulder is not good so the powerfeed on X and Y and particularly the power drawbar are a godsend.

Nice to have someone with the same machine.

Where are you located.

Colin

[Graham Williams 12Participant @grahamwilliams12]

Hi Colin

I’m in Oxfordshire, approximately between Woodstock and Chipping Norton,

what part of the country do yo hale from?

Graham

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

Graham,

Up in the Midlands near Lichfield. My wife has a very good friend who lives in Woodstock.

Colin

[Peter GoodchildParticipant @petergoodchild34034]

Posted by fishy-steve on 21/03/2019 19:14:46:

Hi Colin,

I use one in work. I'd say it's a bit light for Industrial use but a good machine for hobby use. It has had light use in the 5 years that we've had it from new. The one shot lube pump broke pretty early on.

If you need more info just shout.

Steve.

Hi Steve,

I'm considering getting a Chester 836, as your original post was dated March 2019. Can you give an update on the performance and your experience with the Chester 836?

Thanks.

Peter.

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