Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

Thanks to Jim Wilkins, I have been able to identify the mysterious "key
cutter".

It is the third pic, on the site Jim pointed out.

www.lathes.co.uk/benchmaster/index.html

according to the handyman who stopped by the other day, all the bearings
seem to be very sound.

now for my original question:

is there any value in this machine?

there are two options:

one, i get to get my first machine for a soon to be budding metal shop,
as i have most of the wood tools i need.

two, i help the widow sell it.

if the value is too high, then selling is my option.

i'll be posting pics soon.

Cus

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

On Sun, 16 Oct 2005 07:49:35 GMT, t wrote:

Thanks to Jim Wilkins, I have been able to identify the mysterious "key
cutter".

It is the third pic, on the site Jim pointed out.

www.lathes.co.uk/benchmaster/index.html

according to the handyman who stopped by the other day, all the bearings
seem to be very sound.

now for my original question:

is there any value in this machine?

there are two options:

one, i get to get my first machine for a soon to be budding metal shop,
as i have most of the wood tools i need.

two, i help the widow sell it.

if the value is too high, then selling is my option.

i'll be posting pics soon.

Cus


Id be interested in swapping for it.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

t wrote:
Thanks to Jim Wilkins, I have been able to identify the mysterious "key
cutter".

It is the third pic, on the site Jim pointed out.

www.lathes.co.uk/benchmaster/index.html

according to the handyman who stopped by the other day, all the bearings
seem to be very sound.

now for my original question:

is there any value in this machine?

there are two options:

one, i get to get my first machine for a soon to be budding metal shop,
as i have most of the wood tools i need.

two, i help the widow sell it.

if the value is too high, then selling is my option.

i'll be posting pics soon.

Cus
If it's the same as the third picture referenced, it' sjust a standard
Benchmaster horizontal milling machne with the overarm support fitted
(it's removeble). It's a very nice, if small and simple, horizontal
milling machine. It's as good as any other in it's size and weight
range, though it lacks refinements like power feed and backgear.

Beware that many of these were used in light production settings, as
'second operation' machines, and had rack and pinion feeds. Such are not
nearly as useful for most home shop purposes.

The same basic machien ws offered as a vertical mill, and it was about a
half hour job to convert from Hor. to Vert. if you had ALL the parts.

I have one bought as a vertical, and since converted to a horizontal
with a mix of Benchmaster and self-made parts. It's only shortcomming as
a vertical is the lack of a quill downfeed. While that can be a bother,
it's really not terribly limiting in what you can do with it. I
converted mine to a horizontal simply because I got a larger and better
vertical mill.

Dan Mitchell
============

Dan Mitchell
============

Dan Mitchell
============

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

I would agree that like most older machines, finding parts is a REAL
pain.

There is a Yahoo group that discusses this machine.

From what I have seen on Ebay, there is a following for it (like any
smaller benchtop machine of days gone by) and the final bid prices run
quite high.

TMT

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

Daniel A. Mitchell wrote:


If it's the same as the third picture referenced, it' sjust a standard
Benchmaster horizontal milling machne with the overarm support fitted
(it's removeble). It's a very nice, if small and simple, horizontal
milling machine. It's as good as any other in it's size and weight
range, though it lacks refinements like power feed and backgear.

Beware that many of these were used in light production settings, as
'second operation' machines, and had rack and pinion feeds. Such are not
nearly as useful for most home shop purposes.

The same basic machien ws offered as a vertical mill, and it was about a
half hour job to convert from Hor. to Vert. if you had ALL the parts.

I have one bought as a vertical, and since converted to a horizontal
with a mix of Benchmaster and self-made parts. It's only shortcomming as
a vertical is the lack of a quill downfeed. While that can be a bother,
it's really not terribly limiting in what you can do with it. I
converted mine to a horizontal simply because I got a larger and better
vertical mill.

Dan Mitchell

I have a horizontal Benchmaster similar to the second one
pictured. It came with a ram for the X axis, which I replaced
with a lead screw somewhat like those of the Y & Z axes. Some
years ago, ('98?) I uploaded to the drop box some scans of a
brochure I received from the guy out in the PRK who claimed to
support the machine. He apparently had no stock of parts, made
them as ordered and his prices were about what you'd expect for
set up and cutting one part. I called him to talk about what I
needed for the X axis. Surly and hostile are mild, maybe he'd
just had a fight w/ his SO, although I've heard similar reports
from others.

Anyway, the Benchmaster is a lot better made and sturdier than
the average import mill/drill, although I miss a quill feed. I've
seen pix of a Benchmaster with a Bridgeport M head on it, seemed
a bit top heavy!

David

David

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

I had a friend do the M-head on the Benchmaster, er, Benchport, uh,
Bridgemaster, well whatever. Made a great small mill with 3 movable axis
and a quill. Top heavy, a bit, but it did increase the spindle-to-bed
clearance. On another one, another friend added an Emco Meier gear head
mill head to it. Much smaller, less weight, just as versatile. He also
made a power feed for it. The Benchmaster is a great little mill that can
be easily made better.
Respectfully,
Ron Moore

"David R. Birch" wrote in message
...


I have a horizontal Benchmaster similar to the second one pictured. It
came with a ram for the X axis, which I replaced with a lead screw
somewhat like those of the Y & Z axes. Some years ago, ('98?) I uploaded
to the drop box some scans of a brochure I received from the guy out in
the PRK who claimed to support the machine. He apparently had no stock of
parts, made them as ordered and his prices were about what you'd expect
for set up and cutting one part. I called him to talk about what I needed
for the X axis. Surly and hostile are mild, maybe he'd just had a fight w/
his SO, although I've heard similar reports from others.

Anyway, the Benchmaster is a lot better made and sturdier than the average
import mill/drill, although I miss a quill feed. I've seen pix of a
Benchmaster with a Bridgeport M head on it, seemed a bit top heavy!

David

David

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 01:51:18 GMT, "David R. Birch"
wrote:

Daniel A. Mitchell wrote:


If it's the same as the third picture referenced, it' sjust a standard
Benchmaster horizontal milling machne with the overarm support fitted
(it's removeble). It's a very nice, if small and simple, horizontal
milling machine. It's as good as any other in it's size and weight
range, though it lacks refinements like power feed and backgear.

Beware that many of these were used in light production settings, as
'second operation' machines, and had rack and pinion feeds. Such are not
nearly as useful for most home shop purposes.

The same basic machien ws offered as a vertical mill, and it was about a
half hour job to convert from Hor. to Vert. if you had ALL the parts.

I have one bought as a vertical, and since converted to a horizontal
with a mix of Benchmaster and self-made parts. It's only shortcomming as
a vertical is the lack of a quill downfeed. While that can be a bother,
it's really not terribly limiting in what you can do with it. I
converted mine to a horizontal simply because I got a larger and better
vertical mill.

Dan Mitchell

I have a horizontal Benchmaster similar to the second one
pictured. It came with a ram for the X axis, which I replaced
with a lead screw somewhat like those of the Y & Z axes. Some
years ago, ('98?) I uploaded to the drop box some scans of a
brochure I received from the guy out in the PRK who claimed to
support the machine. He apparently had no stock of parts, made
them as ordered and his prices were about what you'd expect for
set up and cutting one part. I called him to talk about what I
needed for the X axis. Surly and hostile are mild, maybe he'd
just had a fight w/ his SO, although I've heard similar reports
from others.

Anyway, the Benchmaster is a lot better made and sturdier than
the average import mill/drill, although I miss a quill feed. I've
seen pix of a Benchmaster with a Bridgeport M head on it, seemed
a bit top heavy!

David

David


If anyone wants one..Ive a decent enough Burke horizontal production
miller, bench top of course, that I can bring to the show this coming
weekend in Visalia. Its got a 3ph motor on it..easily enough changed
out. Needs paint, but everything seems to work well enough.

Lever action in two axis.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

Gunner Asch wrote:
On Sun, 16 Oct 2005 07:49:35 GMT, t wrote:


Thanks to Jim Wilkins, I have been able to identify the mysterious "key
cutter".

It is the third pic, on the site Jim pointed out.

www.lathes.co.uk/benchmaster/index.html

according to the handyman who stopped by the other day, all the bearings
seem to be very sound.

now for my original question:

is there any value in this machine?

there are two options:

one, i get to get my first machine for a soon to be budding metal shop,
as i have most of the wood tools i need.

two, i help the widow sell it.

if the value is too high, then selling is my option.

i'll be posting pics soon.

Cus



Id be interested in swapping for it.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner
well, Gunner, unfortunately i'm on the east coast, so probably not cost
effective.......

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
I would agree that like most older machines, finding parts is a REAL
pain.

There is a Yahoo group that discusses this machine.

From what I have seen on Ebay, there is a following for it (like any
smaller benchtop machine of days gone by) and the final bid prices run
quite high.

TMT

which group discusses it? is it a dedicated group?

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

t wrote:
Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I would agree that like most older machines, finding parts is a REAL
pain.

There is a Yahoo group that discusses this machine.

From what I have seen on Ebay, there is a following for it (like any

smaller benchtop machine of days gone by) and the final bid prices run
quite high.

TMT

which group discusses it? is it a dedicated group?
The Yahoo group in question is "benchmastermill", and it is dedicated to
these machines ... though posters do discuss general milling machine
questions. It averages a couple posts a week ... alive, but not very
active. If you have a Benchmaster, it's worth signing onto.

Dan Mitchell
============

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 07:44:10 GMT, t wrote:

Gunner Asch wrote:
On Sun, 16 Oct 2005 07:49:35 GMT, t wrote:


Thanks to Jim Wilkins, I have been able to identify the mysterious "key
cutter".

It is the third pic, on the site Jim pointed out.

www.lathes.co.uk/benchmaster/index.html

according to the handyman who stopped by the other day, all the bearings
seem to be very sound.

now for my original question:

is there any value in this machine?

there are two options:

one, i get to get my first machine for a soon to be budding metal shop,
as i have most of the wood tools i need.

two, i help the widow sell it.

if the value is too high, then selling is my option.

i'll be posting pics soon.

Cus



Id be interested in swapping for it.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner
well, Gunner, unfortunately i'm on the east coast, so probably not cost
effective.......

Road trip! Bring a trailer. Id love to see my back yard again.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

Gunner wrote:
On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 07:44:10 GMT, t wrote:


Gunner Asch wrote:

On Sun, 16 Oct 2005 07:49:35 GMT, t wrote:



Thanks to Jim Wilkins, I have been able to identify the mysterious "key
cutter".

It is the third pic, on the site Jim pointed out.

www.lathes.co.uk/benchmaster/index.html

according to the handyman who stopped by the other day, all the bearings
seem to be very sound.

now for my original question:

is there any value in this machine?

there are two options:

one, i get to get my first machine for a soon to be budding metal shop,
as i have most of the wood tools i need.

two, i help the widow sell it.

if the value is too high, then selling is my option.

i'll be posting pics soon.

Cus



Id be interested in swapping for it.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

well, Gunner, unfortunately i'm on the east coast, so probably not cost
effective.......


Road trip! Bring a trailer. Id love to see my back yard again.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner
i'd love to help you see your backyard again

i could use some new toys, but that would also require me to have space
to put them

someday soon..........

Key cutter/Benchmaster MH2 question answered
 

Daniel A. Mitchell wrote:
t wrote:

Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I would agree that like most older machines, finding parts is a REAL
pain.

There is a Yahoo group that discusses this machine.

From what I have seen on Ebay, there is a following for it (like any


smaller benchtop machine of days gone by) and the final bid prices run
quite high.

TMT

which group discusses it? is it a dedicated group?

The Yahoo group in question is "benchmastermill", and it is dedicated to
these machines ... though posters do discuss general milling machine
questions. It averages a couple posts a week ... alive, but not very
active. If you have a Benchmaster, it's worth signing onto.

Dan Mitchell
============
thanks for the link, i'm all signed up.....