Hey Everyone,
Hoping someone can help me out on the removal of my variable speed, tilt head Millrite MVN head. I have a Millrite Powermatic MVN SN 78 6 42. It has the extended knee, variable speed head with the worm geared tilt head and power quill feed that is independently powered and bolted to the head (does not connect to ram in any way).
I got my hands on a Bridgeport J head that is in good condition for cheap and was going to swap the heads, or so I thought. I figured to remove the head would be relatively simple- remove nuts from 4 t-Bolts, wiggle worm gear drive, head pops off, right? No! I cannot get the head to separate more than about ¼” to 3/8” from the ram and I have no idea why. My assumption is the worm gear is the culprit but I have no idea how to get past it. Every time I wiggle the worm gear drive it just pulls the head back onto the ram. I have a hoist supporting the weight of the head. I have tried to lift the head up and pull off, lower the head and pull off, wiggle the worm gear and just plain pulled and I cannot achieve more than the ¼ to 3/8” gap. I have tried wooden shims as wedges- just shaved the shim down. I have tried to rotate the head- nothing.
I have the manual and there are no instructions on removing the head with the geared head tilt feature. The exploded views show a set screw holding the drive gear in place but it cannot be access unless the head is removed. I also managed to get a boroscope up into the ram to photograph the back of the worm gear as it bolts onto the head. I can see a bolt hole pattern but can’t see the bolt heads, even if I could I have no idea how anyone can be expected to get a tool of any kind in there to remove them.
I have been conversing with the Yahoo Group for Burke Mills a lot recently and they have been great about quick responses and advice but none of it has worked and none of them have ever gotten their hands on a mill like mine with the geared tilt head and powerfeed…I have a rare one apparently, yay L !
Has any one removed the geared tilt head version head from a millrite? Does anyone have any bright ideas? At this point I don’t care about swapping the heads I just want to understand what is goes on and why the damn head won’t come off.
Thanks in advance for feedback!
Swit21
Hoping someone can help me out on the removal of my variable speed, tilt head Millrite MVN head. I have a Millrite Powermatic MVN SN 78 6 42. It has the extended knee, variable speed head with the worm geared tilt head and power quill feed that is independently powered and bolted to the head (does not connect to ram in any way).
I got my hands on a Bridgeport J head that is in good condition for cheap and was going to swap the heads, or so I thought. I figured to remove the head would be relatively simple- remove nuts from 4 t-Bolts, wiggle worm gear drive, head pops off, right? No! I cannot get the head to separate more than about ¼” to 3/8” from the ram and I have no idea why. My assumption is the worm gear is the culprit but I have no idea how to get past it. Every time I wiggle the worm gear drive it just pulls the head back onto the ram. I have a hoist supporting the weight of the head. I have tried to lift the head up and pull off, lower the head and pull off, wiggle the worm gear and just plain pulled and I cannot achieve more than the ¼ to 3/8” gap. I have tried wooden shims as wedges- just shaved the shim down. I have tried to rotate the head- nothing.
I have the manual and there are no instructions on removing the head with the geared head tilt feature. The exploded views show a set screw holding the drive gear in place but it cannot be access unless the head is removed. I also managed to get a boroscope up into the ram to photograph the back of the worm gear as it bolts onto the head. I can see a bolt hole pattern but can’t see the bolt heads, even if I could I have no idea how anyone can be expected to get a tool of any kind in there to remove them.
I have been conversing with the Yahoo Group for Burke Mills a lot recently and they have been great about quick responses and advice but none of it has worked and none of them have ever gotten their hands on a mill like mine with the geared tilt head and powerfeed…I have a rare one apparently, yay L !
Has any one removed the geared tilt head version head from a millrite? Does anyone have any bright ideas? At this point I don’t care about swapping the heads I just want to understand what is goes on and why the damn head won’t come off.
Thanks in advance for feedback!
Swit21
