Any Reason To Have Reverse Atlas Milling Machine?

[uncle harry]

I may finally be getting back to working on my Atlas mill. I have 3 different 1/2 hp motors I can choose from. One motor that would be my first choice is not reversible (but it is 2 speed) , luckily it is the correct direction. Would there be any advantage of using a reversible motor?

One handy use for reversing is power tapping. Eliminating hand reversing of a tap is a great time saver. Also, if your mill has a back gear
reversing is necessary.

 

[CluelessNewB]

Also, if your mill has a back gear
reversing is necessary.

The Atlas Horizontal has back gears similar to back gears on a lathe. I believe when back gears are engaged it will run in the same direction as running without back gears engaged.

 

[wa5cab]

Rich,

That's correct for any of the Atlas lathes or mills. The spindle turns in the same direction in both direct drive and back gear. There are two pair of gears engaged. The small spindle gear at the rear is driven by the spindle cone pulley. It in turn drives the large back gear at the rear. So the back gears turn in the opposite direction. Then the small back gear on the front turns the large spindle gear (bull gear) which is a second reversal. And the bull gear drives the spindle in the same direction as in direct drive.

 

[34_40]

The old Atlas catalogs show a 1/3hp motor for the Atlas mill. I would expect that if an original 1/3 hp motor worked ok at higher speeds (belt ratios) this motor running at low speed (1/4hp) and lower belt ratios or back gears would be fine. I already have the motor and a switch so if it doesn't work out I will just leave it switched to high speed and all it costs me is a few more wires

I hope to post pictures and progress reports when I do get back to this project.

I'm actually hopeful that this works as well as I think it can! It could be a very handy modification that is seamless and easy!
And of course, pictures will be mandatory! LOL...

 

[A618fan2]

Mine has a reversing switch. I've found it handy to be able to feed left or right depending on the object being cut (stuff gets in the way sometimes) and you can't climb cut with an Atlas. I don't know how important that is for your application but it's something to consider.

John

 

[modela]

I may finally be getting back to working on my Atlas mill. I have 3 different 1/2 hp motors I can choose from. One motor that would be my first choice is not reversible (but it is 2 speed) , luckily it is the correct direction. Would there be any advantage of using a reversible motor?

2 speeds are nice. I have an Atlas mill and really haven't used it much. Perhaps you can send a picture.

 

[CluelessNewB]

Here are some pictures of my MFC in it's current state. It may not look so great but it is all there (except an original motor pulley) and there are a few extra pieces if anyone is counting. The motor with the red arrow and pulleys is my preferred candidate, the two speed motor. The other is a Dayton 1/3 hp.

 

[34_40]

Thanks for all the pics! Way Cool!!

Interesting indexer too!!!!

 

[CluelessNewB]

Interesting indexer too!!!!

That actually came with my first foray into the world of Atlas Mills. My first was an MF that had been dropped and abused. I quickly realized it was best a parts machine so I sold off most of the good parts to recover my investment, truthfully I never expected to find another Atlas but this MFC came up on Craigs list at a very decent price. I wish I had kept a few more items from the MF like the 7/8" arbor. Oh well such is life.

 

[Green Frog]

Thanks for all the pics! Way Cool!!

Interesting indexer too!!!!

+1 to this. Would it be possible to post a couple more pix of this unit? TIA!

Froggie