Power Feed For Converted Atlas Mfc Mill

[tfleming]

I have an Atlas MFC mill that was converted to a vertical mill. Power feed for the X-axis table was gone. I have purchased the gearbox, and correct table feed screw. I also have a small variable speed power source (1/16 HP Bodine motor and reduction gearbox, plus a 4 sheave step down pulley set) to drive it, however, I will need to construct a drive shaft to deliver the power. Here is the question. I am using square tube, and square bar stock to make the sliding shaft itself, but am debating on what universal joints to place on both ends. I have priced Lovejoy universals, and experienced moderate sticker shock. I am considering using standard 1/2" drive socket universals, as I can buy 2 of those at 1/3 the price of the Lovejoy ones. In either case, I will be welding the universals to the ends of the shafts.

Thought? Comments? Suggestions?

 

[ogberi]

You could make your own. They aren't very complex, just four yokes, two blocks with 4 holes apiece in them at 90 degrees apart, and a couple of pins or stripper bolts. Just remember that the yokes on the common shaft (driveshaft) need to be rotated 90 degrees apart, or it won't work too well. Sounds like an interesting project you got going on there. Any pics?

 

[tfleming]

This is a picture of the bodine unit with reduction gear. Interesting enough, that is a 5C collet mandrel. I will probably swap the 4 sheave pully from it to a new shaft for this project. However, the motor and mounting will be used. This assembly will be mounted at the back of the mill where the gear train used to be. The sliding shaft will run from the countershaft to the gearbox on the table base. Here are some pictures of the mill. You will notice in the last picture, the open space in the back where the gear train used to be. That is where I will mount this drive unit for the power feed.

 

[tfleming]

PS: I was wrong about it being a 4 sheave, it is 3 sheave, 2L size belt system. Also, the mill looks a wee bit different now, these were the pictures that the seller provided. I'll try to get some new pics posted over the next day or two.

 

[34_40]

Interesting. And it looks like a spacer was added.

 

[tfleming]

There is a spacer added. Not sure why, but whoever did the work on this, did a very respectable job. Maybe I can get some closeups showing the workmanship. I haven't decided whether to leave the spacer in or remove it. In any case, this should turn out to be a very nice little mill for me. I changed out the 1/3 HP motor for a brand new 1/2HP one. Wired in a drum switch. Changed out and replaced the bearings on the countershaft assembly, and now I am working on the X-Y feeds. This will end up only having power on the X axis, but I will use another drum switch to power both directions. In my restoration of antique tractors and hit/miss engines, this will be the perfect size to do what I need to do for parts fabrication. I have around $1k invested so far in everything (including new parts and tooling), and I still think I am ahead of the game ............but I have been wrong before

 

[wa5cab]

If the spindle and countershaft cone pulleys are 3-step, it was originally an MFA. Or as far as what I can see in your photos (including no rear cover), it could have been an M1A. Which did not have table power feed.

 

[tfleming]

Robert, I am not sure how this started it's life, as I said, it was constructed by a machinist/engineer for GM in Detroit (at least that is the story I was told). I do not believe that the sheaves on the mill itself are original. The 3 sheave pulley's I referenced are on the Bodine motor and countershaft. I purchased that at a flea market years ago, in anticipation that I would need it someday. Interesting enough, the Y-axis base is drilled and tapped for the gearbox mount. This is definitely a "Frankenstein" for sure, and what I am intending to do with it will make it even more so. However, I think it will be a nice little machine when I complete my updates/mods. Robert, if there are any identifying part numbers that would help ID the base machine, I am happy to look for them.

 

[wa5cab]

Looking again at your photos, I see that the hole in the front of the headstock where the original horizontal spindle mounted appears to have been plugged and painted over.

The original basic lathe was called M1 ("one", "eye"). It had cranks or handwheels for all three axes. MF was an M1 with power cross feed added. MH had a lever actuator on the cross feed and the up-down feed and a handwheel on In/Out like all of the others (I never can keep the XYZ convention for horizontal mills straight in my head). The next three models were suffix "A", next :B: and finally "C". The final parts manual on the Atlas mills was MMB-5, which has parts lists for all 12 models. You have a ways to go to get to 30 posts and access to DOWNLOADS so PM me your email address and I will send it to you.

"*" = "1", "F" or "H"
(*) = base, "A". "B" or "C"

Most of the easy ways (parts) to differentiate between base, A, B and C have been removed. However, it was not originally an MH(*) because the lift shaft for the table lift comes out of the knee at an angle to the In/Out screw instead of parallel to it and it obviously has a handwheel (original was two ball cranks) for the cross feed. The M1-3 Base is the same on all models. The Housing (Mast ) is M1-1 on the base and A models and M1-1A on the B and C models. The Head (or Headstock) is M1-2 on the base and A models and M1-2A on the B and C models. You will find those part numbers in the two castings. However, the bearing for the In/Out screw appears to be the long version found only on the C. So I would guess that it started life as either an M1C or an MFC.

 

[34_40]

I "think" the spacer was added since a lot of vertical height was lost with the conversion to a vertical rotary tool.


Well,,, it sounds good anyway! LOL.