My “new” K&T No. 2K

[SellersAMCo]

I’ve been lurking here for a while, trying to learn what I can as I collect pieces for my machine shop. I’ve been a woodworker since I was 10 years old, then several years ago I started ditching my modern machines and collecting vintage American iron. During this process I realized I can’t get parts for most of this old machinery, so buying old machine tools seemed like the next logical step. I built a 30x50 shop that I’m in the process of finishing, and meanwhile I’m collecting machines. My most recent finds are a Cincinnati Bickford 9” column radial drill and a K&T No. 2K horizontal mill, both from the early 40’s. The radial drill is in pretty nice shape, but the K&T is another story. I got it unloaded off of my trailer yesterday (barely), gave it a good cleaning and then moved it into the shop. I’m missing one handle off of the front of the machine, I think it should’ve been the long bar style and not a round handle. I also can not get any of the axis to move manually. When I try to turn the X handle it moves slightly but sounds like it’s moving the power feed gear train. The feed rate dial also will not turn. Is it possible it is just bound up and needs to be running to change the feed rate and then move the tables manually? As far as the surface rust on the ways, how would you attack it? Anything else I need to be doing/looking for as I start cleaning it up? I won’t have power in the shop for another couple months, so hooking it up is not an option currently.

 

[sfriedberg]

That tool and cutter grinder will come in very handy to support your horizontal mill habit! Turn a $10 very used cutter back into something useful.

 

[SellersAMCo]

That tool and cutter grinder will come in very handy to support your horizontal mill habit! Turn a $10 very used cutter back into something useful.

Yes the guy tossed that in with the mill! It’s a KO Lee, seems to be a neat little machine!

 

[johnoder]

Been awhile, but on my 2CH you had to have the "on-off" lever in the right place in order to do some things - like turn the speeds dial - if I remember right

 

[Ohio Mike]

The power feed levers have to be in the neutral posiions for the cranks to work. The feed dial selector is supposed to be moved with the machine running. If its jammed up you may be able to free it up by opening the right side door and having someone roll the flywheel over while you fiddle with it. I would pull the belts before powering it up to make sure the motor is turning the correct direction. Some links to some docs that should help you out. BTW it doesn't look that bad I've cleaned up worse.


Ops Manual

Kearney & Trecker Co. - Publication Reprints - Model 2K and 3K Milling Machines - Operation Manual | VintageMachinery.org

Parts Manual

Kearney & Trecker Co. - Publication Reprints - Model 2K and 3K Milling Machines - Replacement Parts | VintageMachinery.org

Big thank you to Keith Rucker @ VintageMachinery.Org for hosting all this stuff.

 

[marka12161]

Regarding surface rust on the ways. I would start by scraping the heavy goo off with a straight razor from a box cutter. These things tend to live in oil and unless it was outside for an extended period of time, you may find that what you think is rust is mostly grime. Either way, the razor will remove the worst of it. I would then proceed with the finest steel wool you can find lubricated with some kerosene. Others on here have advised against using scotch brite pads on sliding surfaces. The argument is the scotch brite pads leave behind abrasive residue. I personally don't know if there's evidence to support this contention but it seems reasonable to me so i stay away from scotchbrite for important surfaces. I use it for stuff like handles and dials.

 

[johnoder]

Scan from 1940 full line catalog - but not the "plain"

 

[MyLilMule]

I sent you a private message with some info about parts.

Congrats on the new machine!

 

[SellersAMCo]

Ok, I had a few minutes today to mess with the mill some more. I got the front part of the ways on the knee cleaned up decently with a straight edge razor, fine steel wool, mineral spirits and WD40. I can see some scraping so that’s a good sign I guess. It’s still froze up though. The top clutch lever (is that the proper term?) won’t move more than a couple inches back and forth, and I think that’s just spinning on the shaft. It’s not actually moving the clutch at all. Am I going to have to power it up to work out these issues?

 

[MyLilMule]

I'd be careful powering up a pretty rusty machine like that. You might end up breaking something.

I had a similar issue with my 2HL. The power feed lever for the saddle would not move. Turned out to be a rusted in place detent plunger that took me quite a bit to work loose. You might want to pull the feed distribution unit out of the knee. The 2CK is a bit bigger than my 2HL, but I published a few videos on the YT channel of what I did to mine and what I learned. Perhaps those might help you. Here's a link to a thread here on PM: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/k-t-2hl-rehab-project.404372/

 

[SellersAMCo]

I'd be careful powering up a pretty rusty machine like that. You might end up breaking something.

I had a similar issue with my 2HL. The power feed lever for the saddle would not move. Turned out to be a rusted in place detent plunger that took me quite a bit to work loose. You might want to pull the feed distribution unit out of the knee. The 2CK is a bit bigger than my 2HL, but I published a few videos on the YT channel of what I did to mine and what I learned. Perhaps those might help you. Here's a link to a thread here on PM: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/k-t-2hl-rehab-project.404372/

Thank you!! I’ll watch them all. I’m starting to see that I’ll probably need to completely go through this one. Not ideal, but also not the end of the world considering the $500 purchase price.

 

[Richard King]

I have had to pull the rear pully assemby off to access the hydraulic pump behind it. I would drain and fill with new oil make sure you loosen the locks and loosen the gibs to get it moving

 

[MyLilMule]

Thank you!! I’ll watch them all. I’m starting to see that I’ll probably need to completely go through this one. Not ideal, but also not the end of the world considering the $500 purchase price.

Just to be clear, I am no expert, just a hobbyist that learns fast, mostly from mistakes. But I sent you the number of someone that is an expert. He's forgotten more about these machines than I will ever learn. There are also some knowledgable people (way more than me) on here, like @ramsay1. You will also likely find manuals and parts diagrams over at VintageMachinery.org.

 

[Ohio Mike]

I'd be careful powering up a pretty rusty machine like that. You might end up breaking something.

I couldn't agree more. I would not power it up if any of the feeds appear stuck. I certainly wasn't clear but that was kind of why I was suggesting rolling the flywheel over.

 

[MwTech Inc]

Simple thing...make sure the axis locks are not "on"
If you turn the flywheel (it has an arrow) and something moves, you have a feed engaged.
Flywheel doesn't move or is very hard to turn, your jammed up

And as said.....do NOT power it up until you can use the flywheel by hand to make things work

Clutch
Open the side cover, you will see a domed cup pushing against 4 fingers. that is your clutch.
If you tighten the clutch lever on the shaft,(you said it might be loose?) then that domed cup moves about 3/4 of an inch in /out.
When you see that working properly , then you can engage it , turn flywheel by hand and see what happens.

 

[MwTech Inc]

Just in case...the two levers in front are two of the feed controls, they must be centered to allow manual operation of the axis. The table has the lever on the left.
If these are "centered" the axis should move by the handwheels.. again...do NOT power up until you can move all by hand.

 

[Richard King]

I remember when Ramsey was just like you and asking us old farts how to. lol He now remembers more then us, sucks getting old. MwTech sounds like an expert too...

 

[ramsay1]

I remember when Ramsey was just like you and asking us old farts how to. lol He now remembers more then us, sucks getting old. MwTech sounds like an expert too...

LOL Ramsay will be 71 in October... Seems lately I remember things that I need to forget.. Cheers from HOT louisiana.. Ramsay1 :

 

[MwTech Inc]

MwTech sounds like an expert too...

Lol...no expert .......Just a happy owner of a 1H univ and a 3K

 

[imported_eric_h]

@SellersAMCo I just bought a 2k in May and just finished moving it to basement and to power so i don't know that much to add anything better than what was said here. I have links to videos that go over how to run it so if u are interested i can email u. To beat a dead horse make sure it all moves manually before putting power to it..i know its annoying but your machine is a diamond in the ruff and will be well worth the due diligence.