My Diamond M-22 Mill

[Erichimedes]

Since there's only one post in the Diamond machine tool section, I figured I'd post a few pictures of mine and try to populate the forum just a little bit.

This little mill was offered to me by an acquaintance for a couple months before I finally broke down and bought it. I already had my Bridgeport, so I didn't want to jump into a second milling machine, but this area's a bit of a machine desert, so I felt like I should get it and make it work for what I do.

It also came with a Rusnok vertical milling attachment, but I haven't gotten that up and running yet, so I'll post more info if I get it going.


This is shortly after getting it into my shop. I turned it on and immediately realized that some bearings were out. I took the idler with all the pulleys off and found the culprit.


The offending bearing.


A little searching online, and I found the needed bearing, and pressed it in. The one on the other end seemed to be in good shape, so I left it alone. I ended up having to shim this bearing block a little bit, and it seemed to run much smoother.


Got it all back together, and the flywheel back on.


Cleaned up the table and ways.


And got it back together.


And this is how I use it now, with hole saws for mitering bicycle tubes.




I'll also take the jigs off the table and use it for an odd horizontal operation that my Bridgeport is less suited for. The B&S #9 taper is a bit of a pain in the rear to use with collets, as they tend to wedge themselves in there really tight. So I've just recently set it up with a ER32 collet chuck, and I'm looking forward to how that will increase the usability of the mill. I'll post some pictures soon.

 

[LsSix]

Looks identical to a machine that was for sale here a while ago, if I wasnt already dedicated to buying my Vernon for about the same price I would have been tempted to snatch it up.

Mills are not exactly rare here but you are lucky to see any under 2G.



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[markba633csi]

I like that model too, looks a bit taller than my M20 and a longer table also- nice. Also considering a ER style adapter or chuck with a 3/4" straight shaft or BS-9 taper, (probably have to make the latter). My power feed pulley is chipped; most likely from someone pounding on the drawbar, I've heard it's a good idea to oil the collets before putting them in to keep them from sticking so tight. Maybe silicone spray would work even better?
Mark S.

 

[Erichimedes]

I like that model too, looks a bit taller than my M20 and a longer table also- nice. Also considering a ER style adapter or chuck with a 3/4" straight shaft or BS-9 taper, (probably have to make the latter). My power feed pulley is chipped; most likely from someone pounding on the drawbar, I've heard it's a good idea to oil the collets before putting them in to keep them from sticking so tight. Maybe silicone spray would work even better?
Mark S.

I don't have my ER32 collets yet, but I mounted a chuck with a 3/4 straight shaft in my 3/4 B&S 9 collet. It works out well, because I just dialed in the runout of the ER chuck to cancel out the runout of the B&S collet, so it's within about .0005 TIR.

Oiling up that B&S taper sounds like a good idea, I may do that next time the collet is out.

 

[carkrazd]

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[carkrazd]

I like that model also, I have had mine for about 20 years.

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[markba633csi]

Can't see your pic Carkrazd, can you upload it without Tapatalk?
MS

 

[markba633csi]

Erichimedes: Gwarner has/had a BS-9 arbor he said he didn't need. You can find him under the "Nichols mill" area.
Mark S.

 

[LsSix]

I think a horizontal mill is in my future. They are pretty reasonably priced when they pop up compared to vertical mills.

If I may ask what are you guys paying for yours? Im considering one thats priced at 300 but its a 14 hour round trip to fetch.

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[Erichimedes]

I think a horizontal mill is in my future. They are pretty reasonably priced when they pop up compared to vertical mills.

If I may ask what are you guys paying for yours? Im considering one thats priced at 300 but its a 14 hour round trip to fetch.

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I paid a little more than that for mine, and I felt like I got a really great deal. The closest city that has any selection of machinery at all is 7 hours away, so I was ecstatic to find this one locally. At 300, I would say don't sweat the drive as long as you have a good feeling that it's not junk before you head over there. It's not a bad idea to line up showings for a few different machines so you at least make full use of the trip.