Info wanted on a vintage mini-mill: Marushin model "MHA"

[talvare]

One other thing (going by the photo), the lack of a fine feed on the vertical milling head might be a disadvantage in some use cases.

It doesn't appear that the vertical head is meant to move vertically. Looks like all vertical movement is provided via the knee.

Ted

 

[SouthernChap]

It doesn't appear that the vertical head is meant to move vertically. Looks like all vertical movement is provided via the knee.

Ted

Yes, that's the intended design of these mills.

However, the Italian Astra mill (and the Adcock Shipley 1ES, as another example) had, as an expensive option, a vertical milling head with a fine feed quill.

 

[SouthernChap]

I may use the wrong terminology, but it came with 2 horizontal spindles and a bracket to hold the near end of them. See new photos.

Yep that's it.

That's pretty handy. You can do both horizontal and vertical milling.

Another mill of a similar size is the Adcock Shipley 1ES.

 

[ChandlerJPerry]

Wow, that's a sweet machine. I don't have any info about it, I just wanted to say that I'm a little envious, even despite owning a pretty capable knee mill.

I can at least relate to owning mysterious Japanese tools, as my mill has a similar story. Made in Japan sometime in the 60's and there's basically no documentation available. I've found photos of two others online.

The good news is it looks like a well cared for and robust machine. I doubt you'll have any need for parts as long as you treat it well. On my to do list for my machine is repairing the fine feed gearbox on the side of the head, of course I have no parts diagrams or lists available so it's going to be a challenge.