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03-28-2015, 08:11 AM | #1 |
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Location: Stephenville tx
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Van Norman Mill
I have some questions about a mill. Maybe someone can answer them for me. I was looking at a older Van Norman 2r3. It is a vertical horizontal mill. It can allso mill on a 45 degree angle. I have read that these were good machines back in the day. And was wondering how good they would do on boring cylinders. I was told by the guy that they had bored the mains on a engine with a 90 degree attachment that he has with it. I'm going to be building a new shop soon. And wanting a mill in it. But would like to do some work on engines if I can.
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03-28-2015, 09:07 AM | #2 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
Looks like a nice heavy machine. You would need to build a
fixture to hold block, then indicate each cylinder. Hopefully the machine has a lot of tooling with it.... Also, make sure every thing functions properly, as it would be expensive to repair. |
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03-28-2015, 10:57 AM | #3 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
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03-28-2015, 11:34 AM | #4 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
I doubt that you would be able to fit a block between the spindle and the table let alone fitting a boring head and a angle fixture.I owned a smaller Van Norman many years ago and found it to be a handy machine,but not as practical as a Bridgeport type machine.The no.50 milling machine tooling is somewhat expensive unless you can find it second hand.I feel you would be happier with a Bridgport type mill.Phil
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03-28-2015, 12:00 PM | #5 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
We have three Bridgports. And they don't work that well for a engine block. Mainly because they don't have enough travel. And on a Model A block. Would not go the whole depth of the cylinder. We have a big machine shop. But nothing really to do engine work on. We mostly have cnc equipment. I've seen a van norman 777 mated to a bridgport that worked real good. But would still not have a way to bore the mains. I am about to buy out a few large hoards of flathead engines. And have a few places where the guys have a few of them. I'm getting them all cheap. And figured I might spend some free time with my son on them.
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03-28-2015, 12:03 PM | #6 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
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03-28-2015, 12:48 PM | #7 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
Van Norman made (and still does) dedicated engine boring machines but the mill is more limited in what it can do. Like bart78, I have also seen the Van Norman boring bars mated to the dovetail J-head Bridgeport base so they could use the table to adjust the block below the boring bar with some amount of precision. I don't think the head is easily removable from the Van Norman mill.
Last edited by rotorwrench; 03-28-2015 at 05:45 PM. |
03-28-2015, 02:08 PM | #8 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
I think you would be better with a boring bar machine do one at a time.
When they were done in the day Ford did 4 cylinders at a time in one shot. And for boring main bearing I think the spindle would bound around to much. Does it have a 3" or 4" spindle. Last edited by George/Maine; 03-28-2015 at 02:34 PM. |
03-28-2015, 03:05 PM | #9 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
I believe that you are getting good advice--I had opportunity to use a mill like the one you are looking at for a number of years--A very good machine built in the late 50's or early 60's--I still own a small mill and a lathe--
Although these machines had very close tolerances at one time, they now have wear in different places--This affects the accuracy greatly--If you know your machine well you make adjustments, and sometimes in the middle of a cut--I do not think you would want to do this boring a cylinder- It is nice to have an older milling machine for doing many things, but if I had a specific job in mind like boring engine blocks I would buy a machine that was more specific to the intended task--I have never bought any used machine that did not have a few surprises--Parts for a 60 year old mill can be very hard to locate and very expensive--I wish you luck whatever you do-- |
03-28-2015, 08:04 PM | #10 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
One other thing as a side note...and this has no bearing on using a Van Norman for boring, but if you want a Van Norman for general milling work, make sure you get one with a 'Q' in the model number. Otherwise, it will NOT have a quill.
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03-29-2015, 07:39 AM | #11 |
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Re: Van Norman Mill
Just my thoughts, of course the price & being available. As fate always has it- the perfect
mill priced right is always on the other side of the planet. wonder if you have measured the quill travel and the Z travel for your needs? I dont know because here (E coast) is Bridgeport country cause they were built here and just about 8 out of 10 shops, there's a Bridgeport in there somewhere. Myself I never saw a Van Norman in the flesh but the tests of time says they are right up there. I can only say 'a mill is better than no mill' that will do for now or a few yrs or maybe the right one will come in time. I fall into the 2% got the only one around here, a big ass 10x52 Cincinnati that has a big throat and table capacity all power feed, but there is good and bad too. Its like, too bad= mills were thrown in a pot, stirred up and the perfect mill created; aint gonna happen with manual mills which we are talking about. what can I say: think its a good start for you.. me talkin out loud again> right or wrong< sam |
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