I've never owned a Van Norman mill, nor paid much attention to them, but ran across a model 1RQ322 recently that had moving quill and I had some vague recollection of Van Norman's normally having fixed quill only. So, moving quill VN, rare or not ?
There is a van norman website that is maintained by someone else who has a VanNorman with a manual quill. I believe he thinks his is the only one? I would suspect that makes them very rare. I have never seen one myself except for the photo on the previously mentioned website. I do not have a link to it on this computer but I am sure it cannot be that hard to find.
I have only seen three quill equpiied VNs since getting into them about seven years ago. As far as I know, the quill VNs also have more standard tapers like 30 OR 40 NMTB. I would love to get hold of one of these machines.
I own a 1RQ 3 22 , and I realy like it. I have seen a few around, but not many. I think a dealer in New Jersey had something like 3 later V - N 's for sale last fall, they were suposedly near new condition. Were they quill feed machines? not sure. Anyway, if you find one, I think you will be pleased with it. The only thing I don't like is it only has X axis power feed, and no rapid,,but I guess we can't have everything,,,,
The 1R machines are the latest models of the No.16 size millers.
The 1R is the fixed spindle version, the 1RQ is the ouill spindle version.
There was a 2 RQ series which replaced the No 24 and the older 22 series. The older series also had the quill feature available.
The problem was that all the quills used the "C" style collet and the max capacity of the collet is 5/8"
Another problem is that the quill is screw fed, there is no quick action handle like on a B'port.
The V/N machines are primarily millers, and although it goes unsaid, the V/N machines are designed for accurate performance
in tool steels. The quills are usually sacrificed for the rigidity of a heavier spindle.
The 1R machines use the No. 40 MMT, all the rest of the machines use the No.50 MMT.
Salles Mchinery in New Rochelle, N.Y is the dealer mentioned who has the 1R machines, I believe they all are of the fixed spindle type.
My machine is a 1R, I wanted to stay out of the "C" rat race, I decided long ago not to buy any milling machine that has other than a standard MMT spindle.
JimK, How about the 2RQs? Seems like I saw one up in Mich on Ebay a couple of years ago and I believe they listed it as having a 40 NMTB. I think that one went for under $500, too.
Like everything at HGR, running it is impossible but from the quill moved freely. Table is rusty but only a minor nick here and there. My overall quick impression was that it really hadn't been used much but was outside for a few months...maybe a government machine. A crap shoot nonetheless...might be excellent, might have serious issues...dunno...but my guess is that it's probably a good machine.
As much as anything "rare" made of iron tugs at my heart strings, I've got too many projects so I'm not going to buy it, so have at it !
My 1 RQ 3 22 has a #30 standard spindle, and all others I saw had the #30 taper. I saw the one mentioned above at HGR, like he says, it aint pretty, but might be ok. I payed a lot more for the one I use, but it was years ago, and its a nice one.
So I believe I picked up a van Norman mill with the moveable quill you all were previously talking about and I am not finding much about it. It seems to be fairly complete and if I new how to post a picture I would. I am looking to learn more about it and try to revive it to make some more chips.
Does the model have a Q in it? 1RQ...,2RQU3..., ETC?
You ahould post your questions and photos in the Heavy Iron sub-forum. Van Norman owners will be there.