Burke #4 Mill Vertical Milling Attachment

[Annealed]

I recently found a vertical milling attachment for my Burke mill. However, I have no idea if it is complete. There are no gaping holes or easily identified missing bits, but that doesn't mean it is complete.

Does anyone here have experience with these things, or even better, has taken on apart and can relate some tips on cleaning/maintenance? It looks to need a #3MT on the tooling side -- is that correct?

I'm planning on getting a #3MT taper cleaner, and see if that fits nicely (and cleans out the dried lubricants). Then I think I'll try to find some type of collet system to use with it.

 

[Al 1]

I recently found a vertical milling attachment for my Burke mill. However, I have no idea if it is complete. There are no gaping holes or easily identified missing bits, but that doesn't mean it is complete.

Does anyone here have experience with these things, or even better, has taken on apart and can relate some tips on cleaning/maintenance? It looks to need a #3MT on the tooling side -- is that correct?

I'm planning on getting a #3MT taper cleaner, and see if that fits nicely (and cleans out the dried lubricants). Then I think I'll try to find some type of collet system to use with it.

I have that part complete on my Burk 4 mill PM me and I can send pics / send me some pics of what you have. Al.

 

[Annealed]

Hi Al, I PM'd you a message on this.

 

[Annealed]

Having not heard from Al, let me ask the general audience. I have this vertical milling head for a Burke #4. I'm having trouble getting the B&S #9 taper into the mill socket. At first, it did not want to align into the socket very well at all. I discovered a rotating cam sleeve that helped me get it alot closer. In fact by eye it looked perfect.

However, when pulling the vertical head spindle in via a drawbar, the spindle doesn't seem to seat all the way in and 2 things happen:

1. The mills pulleys refuse to turn under hand power (usually they spin freely)
2. Transference of power from the B&S spindle to the vertical head's 3C taper doesn't happen.

Is there a known trick for setting this up so the pulley shaft spins freely and power is transferred ot the 3C taper?

 

[Glenn Brooks]

AN, did you ever figure out what was happening with your vertical milling head.

I just bought a Burke #4, with a vertical head attachment, and saw the same locking mechanism you described.

Iam curious as to what you found.

BTW, I just learned the arbors are B&S 9, but the vertical head tapers are MT 3. MT 2 or 3 can't remember. Maybe this was the problem in not searing properly???

Thanks
Glenn in Woodinville.

 

[Annealed]

Yes I did. I got it working and have made good cuts with the vertical head. I found it was important to have the outboard spindle support in place when aligning the vertical head on the main support column. Don't force anything. I also got a Little Machine Shop universal collet closer and cut it down to fit and this is very handy for more quickly tightening the #3 collets.

 

[Big Bore Builder]

A Burke No 4 in my shop,does not get much use as I have a big Vertical Mill.

Main spindle is No. 9 B&S.



The vertical head uses collets:







DC variable speed motors, one on the main spindle and one on the vertical head. Timing belt drive on the main. Change speed by turning a knob!