Kempsmith universal head question

marka12161 · Mar 13, 2017

I'm exited to be picking up a Kempsmith #1G Universal Mill in the next couple of weeks. One of the board members has a Kempsmith universal head and i'm trying to figure out if this will work on the mill i'll be buying. I've looked at all the Kempsmith documentation i can find and all the universal and vertical heads attach to both the overarm and the machine main column and are driven from the main spindle taper.

The universal head the board member has (link below for langun and kempsmith) is driven from a longish 1.125" keyed shaft and from the looks of it, only connects to the overarm (not the machine's main column). To my eye, this configuration will lack stiffness. Can anyone shed any light on this head and give me any insight if this will work with my (soon to be) machine?

Thanks
Mark

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v.../lagun-fu2la-vertical-head-attachment-329468/

johnoder · Mar 14, 2017

In general, single over arm machines and their attachments depended on knee braces for any sort of serious milling - of which Steve shows just one design here

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...ne-need-k-t-outboard-knee-support-2hl-332441/

Such things can of course be fabbed up to suit

marka12161 said:
I'm exited to be picking up a Kempsmith #1G Universal Mill in the next couple of weeks. One of the board members has a Kempsmith universal head and i'm trying to figure out if this will work on the mill i'll be buying. I've looked at all the Kempsmith documentation i can find and all the universal and vertical heads attach to both the overarm and the machine main column and are driven from the main spindle taper.

The universal head the board member has (link below for langun and kempsmith) is driven from a longish 1.125" keyed shaft and from the looks of it, only connects to the overarm (not the machine's main column). To my eye, this configuration will lack stiffness. Can anyone shed any light on this head and give me any insight if this will work with my (soon to be) machine?

Thanks
Mark

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v.../lagun-fu2la-vertical-head-attachment-329468/

marka12161 · Mar 14, 2017

Thanks John but my concern and confusion are a bit different. Pages 8 & 9 of the below brochure

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/2107/3547.pdf

show both a vertical head attachment and lighter universal head attachment both of which clamp to the vertical dove tails of the machine's main column (similar to that of a KT H-mill). I believe the overarm is primarily for alignment with the rigidity coming from the dovetail clamps. Both of these attachments are driven from a gear on a number 50 taper again, similar to the KT design. The universal head that Dan has is driven by a keyed shaft and lacks the clamp to the machine's vertical column dovetail and just doesn't look like the pics in the brochure (different body shape, bolt locations etc.). I was hoping someone could shed some light on this attachment.

jdleach · Mar 14, 2017

Pictures please. Am rather fond of Kempsmith.

marka12161 · Mar 14, 2017

Pics of mill from the seller are at the link below. To my eye, the machine is in pretty good condition. Not sure why the goofy link text but it should work ok.

m

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jdleach · Mar 15, 2017

Sharp looking mill. Still has that vintage Kempsmith look, as it employs the drop-out worm and trip rod. Vise looks to be a genuine Kempsmith one too.

Don't know diddly about the Type G mills. Got some paper for the Maxi Millers. Would like to have an early 20's Maxi Miller, as it would go well with my 1918 #1 Plain cone.

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