1872 Brainard Standard No 3 Universal Horizontal Milling Machine

[Michael Samson]

Hello all forum users
I live just outside of Halifax, N.S, Canada, I have another project I would like to get started in the near future. I acquired some time ago a 1872 Brainard Standard No 3 Universal Horizontal Milling machine. Unfortunately the door was missing, I have acquired the nameplate which goes on door, I had it 3D printed but I need to find a forge which will cast the door and brackets in steel. I will make templates out of hardwood for casting.
To my knowledge there is none that I know of in Nova Scotia. I did find a spot that could and would make it out of aluminum but I would like to keep it steel. I am hoping that there might be one in surrounding provinces that could take on the job. shipping long distances would be expensive because of the weight and size of pieces.
Thank You all for your time in advance
Best Regards
Michael Samson

 

[rustyironism]

Not saying it will help, but it might broaden your search to look for iron, or cast iron foundries.
I doubt the door was a steel forging....

Mike

 

[Michael Samson]

Thank You Mike, there is none in Nova scotia that I know of for cast or cast iron
Best Regards
Michael Samson

 

[Jim Christie]

It has been a long time since I saw this place 25 + years ago and was going to suggest you try them but looks like it isn’t an option now

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/lunenburg-foundry-shipyard-agreement-churchill-1.6744203

Maybe check with some other boat builders or shipyards to see where they get their castings.

 

[Michael Samson]

Hello Mr. Christie (Jim)
Lunenburg-foundry-shipyard was where I checked previously, at that time they were only working with aluminum or brass. Unfortunate because it was only a little better than an hour away. Thank you for your reply
Best Regards
Michael Samson

 

[rklopp]

I remember watching them pour bronze at Lunenberg as a kid in the late 60s. My whole family and I got to stand on the foundry floor while they did it. My parents’ ideas of family vacation was most definitely not Disneyworld! I think there was an iron cupola there at the time, but I don’t recall whether it was functional. Lunenberg used to cast iron one-lunger two-stroke marine engine parts from the cupola.

Lunenberg was an amazing place in the late 60s. It was a working museum with no guards.

 

[Jim Christie]

Unfortunately the Lunenburg Foundry was closed the day I was passing through so I could only look through the windows.
Perhaps someone at the Nova Scotia Museum of Industry may know of a foundry that would do individual castings

Museum of Industry

museumofindustry.novascotia.ca

Jim

 

[Michael Samson]

Hello Mr. Christie
I want to Thank You, what a great suggestion I never thought about that angle.
the Very Best
Best Regards
Michael Samson

 

[Jim Christie]

I haven’t been there in a long time but I see their website is still active.

Alloy Foundry | Canada's Oldest Foundry

Maybe they could help you out. Even if it is a long way to ship.
Maybe someone travelling to Nova Scotia from eastern Ontario could give your castings a ride.

 

[Michael Samson]

Hello again Mr. Christie
I cannot Thank You enough for your time. I have sent a message to the museum of industry, I will look up this other lead as well. I have a relative that makes frequent trips every year from Ontario to here. I hope someday I can repay all your time you have provided. The Very Best
Best Regards
Michael Samson

 

[Jim Christie]

Michael ,
You are welcome .
I have not visited the foundry in Merrickville since 2012 so I wasn't certain if they were even still there until I checked their website.
I would suggest that no matter what foundry you choose you should consult with them about the design of your pattern before making it and match plate if necessary ,so that it is easy for them to mold in their flasks and withdraw from the sand without any problems
With internet and digital technology it is much easier to sort any issues out before the pattern is sent to the foundry for casting and they will have an idea what to expect when it arrives.
Others on this forum have experience in making patterns and may offer some suggestions as you go a long too.
I haven't made any patterns myself but have done some bronze and aluminum casting in my back yard foundry using patterns made mostly by others .
I haven't done any casting for a very long time so I have forgotten a lot of what little I knew on the subject.
It would be almost like starting over if I were to do any again.
Jim

 

[Michael Samson]

Hello Mr. Christie
I have checked out there website and plan to call them tomorrow and discuss the door and hinges, I hope to get an email address to forward pictures to them so they can examine them and then they can call me with all details before I fabricate the patterns. I have not done anything like that before, so I will be definitely looking for all the info they can provide. Thank You again
Best Regards
Michael Samson

 

[Robert Lang]

Just for reference, Michael's mill, first picture.
Second picture is what the door looks like.
The door is simple, but the hinges are quite fancy. Good thing is that the hinges are rivetted on.


I'm not sure which makers plate Michael used.
Third picture is what I sent Michael, from my mill.
There are two different types of early makers plate.
Fourth picture is what should be on Michael's mill.
Style of letters is different.

Rob

 

[animal12]

Thats a neato looking machine , thanks for posting pics .
animal

 

[Michael Samson]

Hello all forum users
I would to start by Thanking Mr. Lang (Robert) for posting a few pics, and also my apologies to you all for not. My mind is wrapped up on restoration of my 20" camelback drill press (W.F & J Barnes) and was trying to acquire info and location for my next project. NO DISRESPECT INTENDED whatsoever. I realized the error in my ways as soon as I read animal12 post. So here are some pics of my machine

 

[Michael Samson]

here is a few more pics of machine catalogue and door and hinges I need to get
casted. Again I do apologize for sharing all my info
Best Regards
Michael Samson

 

[Michael Samson]

I have a little work to do beside door and hinges but nothing to serious. I.E remove plate on table, fix front of bottom of base where point was broken off. no issue will fab piece and weld in with tri-cast rods, no issue. also strip all paint and renew with proper color

 

[reggie_obe]

Have you considered having it case of Aluminum instead or Iron? The door will be a reproduction whatever metal is chosen.

 

[Michael Samson]

Hello Reggie_obe
I did consider that at first because there was a foundry a little better than an 1 hour from my location, those services are no longer available to me. Since that time and after a lot of discussions with a number of different people who collect old iron, they sort have swayed my opinion to stay as close to original as possible. I would like to ask your thoughts and reasoning behind them, besides the fact that is not original.
thank You for your reply
Best Regards
Michael Samson

 

[enginebill]

We have a Brainard at Rough and Tumble, I don't know if it is a number 3 or not but if it is, I could get one cast from the door on ours at Cattail foundry. We are in south east Pennsylvania so shipping would not be prohibitive.