Doc, I don't understand why you continue to give unwanted advice.
-No offense taken. You'll have to dig harder than that to get under my skin.
I just tend to wonder how long you've been on the internet- less than an hour?
- if you believe you will only get the precisely exact information you desire, and
only that information, when posting a question to a high-traffic bulletin board.
I specifically mentioned in my OP that I had hot wired the machine. I did this to hopefully not have guys chiming in about ways to avoid the need for a key.
-And I, for one, did not miss that detail. My response was the simple suggestion that perhaps such a key-switch is not entirely necessary- and, in my continued opinion, isn't worth the effort of having to go through the trouble to re-key.
My
second response did, in fact, note that if you did, in fact, still want a keyed switch, that replacements- albeit perhaps not
factory-identical replacements- can be had for a pittance. Certainly less than it'd cost to have an existing unit rekeyed.
You were wrong about whether the key switch was factory and you were wrong in assuming I did not get the drive collar.
-On the former, Nichols supplied milling machines in many thousands of different configurations, and most were used, sold, used again and resold, likely getting further altered each time. Mine in particular, arrived with badges from two different companies, and showed evidence of having been repainted at least three times.
Yours has been repainted at least twice- neither color showing was a factory tone- and it's also the first one I've ever seen with a key lock.
This one, for example, has an identical control box, but no key.
On the latter, if you'll reread my initial reply, I specifically expressed that you probably had the drive collar, which I assumed since the head was still mounted.
I asked for a response from anyone who might have a key.
-I have an old bus-stop locker, what's the chances you have a key that fits that?
That's not hyperbole, that's basically what you're asking. Regardless of whether you believe me, key switches were not common options on these machines, and even if they were, your machine is likely about sixty years old. The key to your machine was likely tossed when the last factory that thing was in, was bought out, closed down and sold off, forty years ago.
If you wish to keep a key switch? My advice is to buy a modern replacement. The chances someone has a spare key to a similar switch are basically nonexistent.
Since you don't have one, there was no reason for you to chime in in the first place.
-True on the first half, but I do have some passing knowledge of Nichols mills, and given that slim knowledge, I can be very close to certain that what you're asking is a fool's errand. You might as well ask to speak with the first person to ever operate your exact machine.
Before you respond in the future it will be better for all members if you carefully read posts and study any photos.
Kettle!, cried the Pot.
How Black thou art!
Doc.
