Fray All Angle Frankenstein

Mg42gunner said:

Hey all. I'm new to the forum and to machining in general. I've played and done lathe work and dabbled with mills, but am just starting to get more into them.

I picked up a Frankenstein machine for nothing at the last day of an estate sale and it even works. It's a steptoe base from a horizontal mill (1913 dated). And a Fray All Angle type C head (single phase 120, 7A 1/2 hp motor).

Does anyone know what kind of collets/tooling I'm supposed to use in this thing? Online resources for these is almost non existent. I'll post a picture of this thing later.

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thermite said:

I think it is about as well covered "right here, on PM" as anywhere else. Look for "Diamond" as well as Fray. They traded components back and forth, ISTR eventually came under common ownership - or at least shared sales efforts?

IIRC, the spindles were B&S # 7 and/or B&S #9 .. MT 2 the other "probable"?

Native-taper collets for all are still to be had - used off eBay, or new, but PRC-made, from H&H Industrial and such ?

The "Top Guns" amongst hi-precision collet makers will still make B&S taper to special order, but you might want to already be on a gurney with a IV drip running.. not just "sitting down" ... at what they charge!



I'm old-fashioned enough to prefer Weldon-style direct to the taper "side lock" milling cutter holders, AND NOT collets (other than for drilling?). I had no real trouble finding my #9 B&S on eBay.. or "right here, on PM" ...from other members who had a few surplus to needs.

"Most folks" might mount an ER system (or TG?) 'one time', then do their collet work from that? I do have ER as well (for Burke & USMT, not Fray).

Fray were very versatile as to positioning, but also SHORT on rigidity wherever "positioned", so "clever and handy", yes - but ALSO rather light as to duty.

2CW

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Homebrewblob said:

I haven’t seen you in a couple days Bill, I thought you died!

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