Should I buy this Kent Owens mill?

[strantor]

I've been keeping my eyes open for a mill to pop up next to me for super cheap. This thing popped up just down the road for $300. I don't really know what it is. I have been looking for a vertical mill; bridgeport or similar. This thing appears to be a horizontal mill, but for a horizontal mill I would expect to see a thing on the outside of that column that holds a bar into the spindle; is it missing or is this a different type?

I searched for information on these, and all I could find was a couple of people saying "It's a production mill, useless for a hobbyist" with absolutely no explanation why, or the difference between a production mill and non production mill.

Also I cannot tell if it has 3 axes or just 2. I see it goes left/right and up/down, but does it go in/out?

Here's the description and pics:

For sale is one used Kent Owens 1-8 production mill / hand mill. 40 taper. 25" x 9" t-slotted table. Table travel L to R = 12". Vertical spindle head travel = 6". Motor - 1HP, 208/220/440 volts. Mill is manually operated. Hand lever moves table left and right. Vertical hand lever moves spindle head up and down. Machine is in good running condition.

How much do you think this thing is worth?

 

[Tamper84]

My SWAG here, but it does look like it has a z travel. The whole head moves on the two vertical supports...hmm...It is an interesting design.

Chris

 

[stevecmo]

My opinion a production hand miller doesn't really translate to hobby work. They have a rack and pinion and hand lever to move things instead of lead screws and hand wheels. They are intended for usually one dedicated operation in a production shop.

I don't think you'd be happy with it, although the price is probably right.

Just my two cents.

Steve

 

[Rick Berk]

These were fixtured machines primarily for putting key ways in shafts, they are dedicated to one operation and would not have much use as a multi function macine. If you set it up with a thru hole dividing head you can cut splines on shafts but again not a hobby machine. The time to setup would kill you unless you could make 50 parts a day for a year.

 

[george wilson]

I do not see that it goes "in and out"(y axis). I'd be sure to pass on this machine. Those lever machines,as said,are for single purpose operations,like keyway cutting,cutting off stock,and other simple,production steps.

 

[Phils69]

I would pass for sure. I picked up a Cincinnati 2L horizontal mill recently for that $. I am in the process of putting some power to it to see what issues there are but handles and power feed have to be a machinist's best friend.