M.B. Naegle
Diamond
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2011
- Location
- Conroe, TX USA
We currently have an Elliott 8-20 Surface grinder (60's era English iron). It's needed alot of work but has been nice to use. 2 issues I have with it is that parts and support are totally non-existent in the states, and the hydraulic system is complicated and difficult to service. the 8" x 20" size is nice but there are times where 20" just isn't enough. So, working on a cheap-scate budget...
I'm looking at an old Brown & Sharpe #5. They're antiques, but doesn't Bourne and Koch still support them? Even if it's just the small things, that's better than the Elliott. And having some support, even if it's just PM'ers who have run like machines, is good. If I understand correctly the #5 is an 8" x 24" which would help. The Elliott has 18" of wheel height vs. the 12" on the #5, so that would be a trade-off, but I think I've only run it up that high once in the last decade.
How equipped is the cross travel/traverse on the #5? The Elliott is fully hydraulic and you have 2 options of conventional "stepping" traverse, or continuous traverse produces a random cross-hatch pattern, which I really like. Looking at literature on the #5, it sounds like it has a continuous traverse but it's only for dressing the wheel and the longitudinal travel doesn't work with it engaged?
I'm all for bringing home another worn out bit of old iron to restore. That part is no issue to me. I just want to be sure I'm not trading one feature for another.
I'm looking at an old Brown & Sharpe #5. They're antiques, but doesn't Bourne and Koch still support them? Even if it's just the small things, that's better than the Elliott. And having some support, even if it's just PM'ers who have run like machines, is good. If I understand correctly the #5 is an 8" x 24" which would help. The Elliott has 18" of wheel height vs. the 12" on the #5, so that would be a trade-off, but I think I've only run it up that high once in the last decade.
How equipped is the cross travel/traverse on the #5? The Elliott is fully hydraulic and you have 2 options of conventional "stepping" traverse, or continuous traverse produces a random cross-hatch pattern, which I really like. Looking at literature on the #5, it sounds like it has a continuous traverse but it's only for dressing the wheel and the longitudinal travel doesn't work with it engaged?
I'm all for bringing home another worn out bit of old iron to restore. That part is no issue to me. I just want to be sure I'm not trading one feature for another.