New to me Van Norman 24 MA mill

I just purchased a VN model 24 MA. Came with all the arbor supports and original manual. It did not come with a slotting attachment. I'm curious if any other VN model 24 owners have used the slotting attachment and how well it works?

Hmm, any model 24 owners at all here? The # 24 seem to be one of the more rare models.

Are you aware of the Van Norman group on Yahoo? If not, you will probably find a couple more VN owners there...

I've got a #28, which is in the same approximate size category as a #24, but have never had my hands on a VN slotting attachment. My impression is that it works as well as any other fixed-stroke slotter, and looks sized to take a substantial cut. But sometimes you really don't want a fixed stroke.

What I'd really like to have, rather than a slotting attachment on my VN, is a Pratt&Whitney 6" vertical slotter. But no room in the shop for same...

Hi, yes I just joined the Yahoo group. Just starting to go thru old posts. I want to read up on whatever I can find before posting questions. I've only seen pictures of the Van Norman slotters also. Seems to be a rather rare beast especially in the bigger version. I'm agonizing over getting a slotting attachment for my Bridgeport or holding out for the Van Norman. I expect the Van Norman slotter would be more rigid etc. But the Bridgeport version is much more available. In fact a forum member here has offered me one at an attractive price.
I agree a P&W vertical spotter would be great to have. But my current shop is maxed out on space.

So far, I have seen only slotting attachments for model 12 or equivalent. I agree that having an adjustable stroke is an extremely-desirable feature. Personally, I'd be keen to compromise in rigidity and buy a Bridgeport slotting head in good shape (I believe the stroke adjustment mechanism is one of the weak points of that head).
Or, you can get a shaper, which would be very helpful in numerous other things.

Paolo

PS I do have only two VN 22L: one early production and one late production, with the knee, saddle, table similar, if not identical to a 24.

Say, Paulo, could you describe the Y axis ways on your two 22Ls? Are they the same on both machines?

I've seen three Y axis configurations on Van Normans:
1) Dovetails (especially on the earlier, smaller mills) left and right with a flat surface between them
2) What I call "split half dovetails" with a square way on the left, a dovetail on the right and a lowered channel in between, and
3) What I call "hat square" (on the later, larger mills) with square ways left and right and a raised rib in between.
There are a couple of mid-20 models where I think VN changed this feature during production, but my notes are fairly confused on this.

I know that at least some 22L's had split half dovetails. If you have both early and late production models, I'd love to know how they are configured.

Thanks!