I Guess I'm A Van Norman Guy Now

[Jason Annen]

What's the question on the red circle?

Jason

 

[jghm]

I just circled where the s/n is.
John

 

[Techie1961]

Arbor support!!
Looks like you might be missing the drawbar!
If accurate you might consider contacting Bob V (HM member).
He has an extra 5v draw bar and some collets and arbors.
He might be willing to cut a package deal.

Daryl
MN

Thanks for the input. By arbor support I think you're referring to the horizontal mode support correct? It's there, but no arbor which is a disappointment. If you mean drawbar for the spindle, there's one as well but it looks homemade. I will definitely try to contact Bob though.

I just circled where the s/n is.
John

Thanks, I was looking all over for the SN. It's 5732-12. Any ideas on the year?

 

[brino]

Nice piece of equipment....Congratulations!
It looks like a fun project that will turn into an extremely useful tool.

-brino

 

[jghm]

The site to check out is http://jmkasunich.com/vannorman/VN_Serial.htm
It's listed as a 1941. It looks much younger.
John

 

[Techie1961]

Thanks John. I was a bit surprised to hear that it's that old also. I think it looks good for it's age. Time will tell if the internals have been abused and are in as good of shape.

 

[s csollak]

wow i like that !

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[Techie1961]

Here're some questions for you guys. I'm still trying to figure out the machine spindle taper and will have a further look tomorrow. Nothing that I am seeing online shows the one that I have (it looks too short and possibly modified). So, is the spindle soft enough that it could be bored out for an R8 or #40? Also, once I get into the spindle and check the bearings, are there new ones readily available or are they few and far between?

 

[brino]

Hi Techie,

The pdf brochure here:
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/resources/vn-12-1940s-brochure.2480/
last page shows:


So it likely is a hardened spindle.....unless it has been replaced.
Are you saying yours is NOT a #5 taper?

There are other docs at:
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/resources/categories/van-norman.341/

-brino

 

[Jason Annen]

It's a 99% chance it's a VN C taper, or Hardinge 5v, these 2 are the same. 40 is out of the question, and I doubt 30 would work either.

A member on this board just had a VN 16 reground to R8, at a cost of $650 plus freight. Pretty much the same cutter head between the 12 and 16.

As for collets, figure in the $30 to $60 range on eBay, and about $130 new from Hardinge. Collets will turn up on eBay, you just have to be patient.

Turn the head 90 and take a pic of the taper, plus the end of the draw bar, and we should be able to tell what it is.

As for parts, there aren't any. No one supports the VN machines anymore.

Jason