What is the current thought on Tree 2UVR mills?

[Mill Lee farm]

Hello all,
First off, I'm a budding hobby machinist and don't currently own a mill.
I'm in a slow burn shopping status for a vertical mill. Open to Bridgeport or clones but I've been pretty impressed with the looks of the Tree mills. A few seem to pop up in my area every so often so I've been on a deep dive for a few months.
I've been searching the forums and don't see a lot of recent talk about Tree milling machines.

Understanding the 3s / ZPSUSA company changes, their knowledgable employees apparently retiring, possible parts issues etc... are buying opinions changed at all? Do the fans still think it's a good beginer mill (if in good condition)?

I've got a line on a nice 2UVR with the powered knee, but the knee power isn't working. Seller has no idea what's wrong. That kind of scares me.

I really appreciate current opinions!

Thanks!

 

[Choiliefan]

The only issue I'm aware of re Tree mills has to do with wear on the spline of the spindle.
I used to use a Tree milling head mounted to a different brand mill. The Tree collet is an acorn shape with iirc a max capacity of 3/4".
The quill has a built-in collet closer which locks the tool via the downfeed lever. Very clever design and a pleasure to use. No drawbar to tighten or knock-out. Very fine milling machines if you get a good one.

 

[Winegrower]

A friend with a Tree mill likes it, but says he wishes he had a R8 spindle, for the many lower priced accessories.

 

[Mill Lee farm]

This is definitely one thing I'm wondering as R8 is so common. ZZ collets not so much. Now if you have straight shaft tooling (no taper) you can chuck it into the ZZ collet. It seems this would be ok precision runout-wise (as long as your collet is good). IDK?
But there are definitely many more R8 tooling options out there.

On the other side is how easy the Tree collet system is.... grrr.

Winegrower- would you say your frind wishes he had a B-port or clone? Or just wishes he has R8 but doesn't want to give up his Tree otherwise?

Consensus seems to be that Tree is quality design and build. All the power feeds seem nice...

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[T Bredehoft]

My experience with Tree mills, (1970's) was that they were as good as Bridgeports, had some features that BP didn't, and vice versa. If I had the opportunity to buy one, I would not hesitate.

 

[projectnut]

To me the Tree 2UVR is a top of the line knee mill. I ran one on a daily basis in a prototype shop for over 10 years, and on a part time basis for another 10 years. In my opinion they are superior to a Bridgeport. They're heavier, shorter, and easier to run. As mentioned the collet system is easier to use especially for us short guys, They were my first choice when I was looking for a mill some 20 years ago. Unfortunately there weren't many available and they were either outrageously priced, or completely worn out. The company I worked for had over a dozen in their main machine shop, and several more in the prototype shop where I worked.

After a 2 year search I finally ended up with a Bridgeport Series I with a 2J2 head. It came out of a local high school after sitting unused in a storage room for over 10 years. It was in good shape and at a good price. The Bridgeport is a nice machine. Tooling and accessories are easy to find, and less expensive than tooling specific to the Tree machines. That being said you can use almost any brand straight shaft accessory on a Tree machine with the proper size collet.

I now see several Tree machines in our area coming up for sale. If I had it to do all over again given their current availability I would definitely purchase one. As it stands my shop space is limited so I won't be getting another knee mill. I'd like to fill the remaining space with a jig bore machine, and possibly a radial drill.

In your case I think a Tree 2UVR would be a excellent choice. Before making a purchase I would check with H&W Machine Repair & Rebuilding to see if they handle Tree parts, or know of someone who does.

Home

Your trusted source for Bridgeport Machine Replacement Parts and Services. We're the best place to get metalworking parts & services online!

machinerypartsdepot.com

Their specialty is Bridgeport machines, but they also rebuild and supply parts for many other brands.

 

[Mill Lee farm]

Thanks everyone!
Projectnut: that’s fantastic info. I think I’ve read your Tree/B-port story in other threads. Thanks for the response and extra info.

and yes!!! Ive been watching ‘Barry’s’ bridgeport rebuild videos! Fantastic stuff!!!

So…. Assuming the Tree is in good shape or easily fixed () I guess R8 tooling is the big question…

having not shopped or used vertical milling tooling it I’ll ask a follow up question:

is R8 specific tooling that much more prevalent and cheaper? Thinking fly cutter, drill chucks, face mill holders, end mill holders (although ZZ sounds sturdy enough on its own?)

I definitely know theres a bunch of new and used R8 out there…. But some things I may be able to use on other machines (lathe etc) if its straight shank???

I do appreciate everyone’s help!

 

[Winegrower]

Winegrower- would you say your frind wishes he had a B-port or clone? Or just wishes he has R8 but doesn't want to give up his Tree otherwise?

He thought he should have gotten a Bridgeport, but the Tree is a very sturdy and excellent mill. Just bigger/heavier/less common.

Edit: after seeing his mill, I thought maybe I should upgrade to a Tree. Does that help?

 

[Cheeseking]

Honestly unless you need a mill NOW or are tired of the hunt, I’d lean BP just for the fact there’s so so many out there and the whole aftermarket ecosystem.
When you’re a hobby guy with a used machine that needs advice or eventually parts and repairs, thats when it matters. Also if and when you sell there’s no need to explain eg “the Tree’s are great machines” etc. even if it’s true. It’s a BP. Known quantity and boils down to condition.



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[projectnut]

To me R8 tooling is a non issue. Of all the tooling I have in the shop only 3 pieces have R8 shanks 2 are drill chucks and the third is a face mill. Everything else is either 3/4" or 5/8" straight shank. Straight shank tooling can be used in any mill with the right size collet.

Both Tree and Bridgeport machines are commercial quality machines which in my opinion is leaps and bounds above most hobby grade equipment. Most commercial or industrial shops regard Tree machines as several steps above a Bridgeport as far as quality, rigidity and ease of operation. Bridgeport is more widely known because they catered to the high schools and technical colleges. Bridgeport offered discounts and incentives to schools much the same as South Bend did. When I purchased my Bridgeport the original paperwork came with it. It was originally sold to the high school with both imperial and metric dials on the X, Y and Z axis, a power feed on the X axis, a set of collets by 1/16" and a 6" Bridgeport vise on a swivel base. The price to the school was slightly over $1,600.00. That same machine with the same accessories sold for over $3,300.00 on the retail market.

As mentioned earlier my Bridgeport came from a high school where it was abused by novices on a daily basis for nearly 20 years. Even then it's needed less than $100.00 in repair parts in the 20+ years I've had it. Several of the Tree machines we had at work went to a friends commercial shop. They were used in the company shop 40 hrs. a week for nearly 40 years with only minor repairs. He's used them another 15 years and hasn't had to put a penny in them for repairs.

A more recognizable name doesn't necessarily mean it's a better quality machine.