Sherline 1000

jsh

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I ran across one of these close by home. It comes with the mill attachment.
From the two pictures I have seen it looks to be in really good shape.
What should I look close at on these?
I am wanting to try and make some front and rear sights for handguns and rifles, so it would be nothing on a large scale or any heavy material removal.
Yes I could buy front and rears, but the ones I want are either no longer made or in very short supply with a long wait.
The gent is asking $425. That would buy me three sights on a lucky day.
TIA
Jeff
 
The thing with Sherline is almost any of the new stuff fits the old stuff, It sounds like this is one of the real old ones, Does it have brass or steel bed and column The older motors were not as strong as the newer ones, But if set up correctly can produce very precise items, There is a lot of stuff on YouTube about sherlines. I have a 4400 lathe and a 5400 mill with an extended column. But they are newer, The older tailstocks were not as accurate, But you can get the newer ones on Ebay from time to time.
What all comes with them, Depending on what you want to mill you will either need the collets or endmill holders, Recommend endmill holders for most larger endmills,
the angle table is nice, but can be made if you want one, along with many of the other accessories, There use to be a company called A 2 Z but they seem to have gone out of business that made items for it such as a good QCTP Hope this helps.
what to look for, The tail stock on the lathe is not worn the amount of backlash, As the older ones have to be modified to put in the adjustments to take out some of the backlash, BUt instuctions are on Sherline Site. Motor runs properly, Bent items such as bed or column And like mentioned earlier what accessories come with it, and what shape are they in. Head stock, turns freely, no grinding
etc.
 
I have a Sheldon lathe that I am just now getting set up. It came with a milling attachment but to my way of seeing it, it's a bit large for the size parts I mentioned. The Sheldon will do a lot I know. I have looked for a smaller bench top mill, what the older used ones are bringing I think I am as well off to go brand new.
I had looked at the Sherlines a couple of years ago.
I have not had any hands on machining since the mid 80's.
I am fortunate to have a couple of friends that are tool and die guys. Questions, all I have to do is ask.
 
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The Sherline milling column bolts to the bed in place of the head stock, which would be moved to the column anyway so all the pieces are there to convert the lathe to a mill. The cross slide would then be the X-slide and the the bed would be your Y-axis. You will be rather limited by the amount of X-travel but if the work piece is short then it might work out.

I own a Sherline long bed lathe and a 5400 mill and they are excellent machines for their size. I really like the mill but it is a stand alone mill, not a conversion. These machines are capable of very good precision but I cannot speak to the Australian made machines as I have no idea what they can do.

Your call on this one, jsh. Even knowing what Sherline machines can do, I would have a hard time spending $400.00 on this offer. A second hand milling machine would be a better buy, in my opinion.
 
I will take your word for it then.
Its not that I need a mill, but I could put one to good use.
I will save the cash and continue searching, maybe just go with a brand new stand alone mill. I know most have discouraged me from the combos in the past.
I need to quit looking, that's when they fall from the sky in abundance it seems.
I looked within 400 miles of me high and low for a good used lathe for two years. Nothing of any quality left in the ones I found.
Bought the Sheldon and I found one a week for a couple of months, and still finding them often.
Jeff
 
I will take your word for it then.
Its not that I need a mill, but I could put one to good use.
I will save the cash and continue searching, maybe just go with a brand new stand alone mill. I know most have discouraged me from the combos in the past.
I need to quit looking, that's when they fall from the sky in abundance it seems.
I looked within 400 miles of me high and low for a good used lathe for two years. Nothing of any quality left in the ones I found.
Bought the Sheldon and I found one a week for a couple of months, and still finding them often.
Jeff

Oh no, Jeff, you DO need a mill! A milling machine is a must-have in any hobby machine shop and it will allow you to do much more than make some sights. Wait, learn, save and then jump when you find the one you really want.

If I were considering a new milling machine, I would be looking at Precision Mathews. Maybe give them a look?
 
Lol, been there done that. I think about a week after I got the lathe, I started on the mill.
No hurry, as I have been 50+ years with out one.
Thanks for the encouragement.
 
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