VN Completed Restoration Of Vn12

gcaldicott

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Feb 2, 2016
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Hi All,

Some of you may remember that I recently acquired a 1945 Van Norman 12 Mill (my first milling machine). You helped me straighten a bent knee feed screw.

I picked the VN12 up in October and had no intention of doing a full restoration simply because October in Massachusetts is too cold to paint in an unheated garage, but...

As I started cleaning it up, the paint began flaking off. The machine was probably not degreased properly before it was painted last. Anyway, it got a pretty complete restore. Instead of spray painting, I brush painted in my basement. The mill is in really good shape. It came with a 1" horizontal arbor, about 30 nice cutters, a 10" Van Norman dividing head, a vise and a handful of collets. It's 3 phase so I outfitted it with two VFDs, one for the cutter head and the other for the table feed motor. I still have some detail work to do like replacing a leaky site glass (anyone know where they can be purchased...or do I have to make something), but it is operational. Let the learning begin.

Some before and after pictures.

vn12partsontrailer.jpg
vn12partsingarage.jpg
vnbasekneecolumnprimed.jpg
VN12R-005web.jpg
VN12R-006web.jpg
VN12R-007web.jpg
VN12R-009web.jpg
VN12R-012web.jpg

Greg

vn12partsontrailer.jpg

vn12partsingarage.jpg

vnbasekneecolumnprimed.jpg

VN12R-005web.jpg

VN12R-006web.jpg

VN12R-007web.jpg

VN12R-009web.jpg

VN12R-012web.jpg

vn12partsontrailer.jpg

vn12partsingarage.jpg

vnbasekneecolumnprimed.jpg

VN12R-005web.jpg

VN12R-006web.jpg

VN12R-007web.jpg

VN12R-009web.jpg

VN12R-012web.jpg

vn12partsontrailer.jpg

vn12partsingarage.jpg

vnbasekneecolumnprimed.jpg

VN12R-005web.jpg

VN12R-006web.jpg

VN12R-007web.jpg

VN12R-009web.jpg

VN12R-012web.jpg

vn12partsontrailer.jpg

vn12partsingarage.jpg

vnbasekneecolumnprimed.jpg

VN12R-005web.jpg

VN12R-006web.jpg

VN12R-007web.jpg

VN12R-009web.jpg

VN12R-012web.jpg

vn12partsontrailer.jpg

vn12partsingarage.jpg

vnbasekneecolumnprimed.jpg

VN12R-005web.jpg

VN12R-006web.jpg

VN12R-007web.jpg

VN12R-009web.jpg

VN12R-012web.jpg
 
That is sweet! I've had good luck with brushed finishes and your's looks great! After some recent fussing through steel with my Atlas, I REALLY envy your mill. Well done!

John
 
Wonderful job! I am sure the satisfaction of a job well done feels good.
 
Awesome Job! I like the dual VFD setup.
 
Looks like it. I noticed that myself.
He left a wide girth, but chips and oil will still wander.

I am aiming to put my mill back together shortly, now that the bulk of the basement is finished.
I have a tiny area 8x10 for my VN and SB lathe and Burke mill.
Everything is on wheels, including the VN (Footmaster casters).
I needed a floor surface that could take a pounding and look nice.
I chose DuroExtreme interlocking tiles. https://www.elitegaragefloors.com/duroxtreme-lock-tile-coin-pattern-tile-19-5-8-x-19-5-8-x-7mm/
You can run a forklift or fire engine or plane on them.
 
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