My first new old horizontal Milling Machine

[nuno]

Hey,

i spend a long time thinking about to buy an Milling Machine.
The reason why is that i hate to ask or beg other People to make some things for me and the labor cost for machined parts done by an pro machinist are very expensive here in Germany.
As example, the last Time i have let made some parts by an pro machinist i pay for 3 round Steal bars 120mm long with 30mm diameter and one with 32mm diameter around 120 € witch is near by 160 $.
This was an "special" Price (no VAT included).

So after buying an Mini Lathe witch is good for me an big enough for the things i have to turn i start looking for an Milling Machine.

At first i look for some Benchtype of Drilling and Milling Machines but the most are Chinese made and the German hobby-machinists forum are full of threads with problems about this Machines and so i look for good used Industrial Machines.

The German used Market for Milling machines is very simple

1. Vertical Milling Maschines with less than 1,5 to who can be handled easily for transport = very expensiv
2. vertical Milling Machine with more than 1,5 to = cheaper than 1.
3. vertical Milling Machines with more than 2,5 to who need heavy equipment for handling and transport = cheap, you can get one in good shape for less then 350 €
4. horizontal Milling Machines, doesn't matter the weight = no one will buy so you can get it for steel-price.

searching the Internet for infos about Milling Machines i found out that vertical Milling Heads are available for a lot of horizontal Milling Machines so i take a look for Steinel Machines.
Steinel is an old German Manufacturer of Milling and Drilling Machines.
Steinel no longer exists but you can get Parts, Service and Documentation/Drawings from the an Shop called Müga witch is an Service-Center for Industrial Machines.
Steinel build vertical and horizontal Milling Machines and optional you can get for the horizontal Machines an vertical Milling Head.

Today it is not easy to find an vertical Milling Head for the Steinel Machines because they are very rare and i am sure it is easier to find an good used 45 year old Virgin than an FVK 3 vertical Milling head but i have heard than some Guys find one.

My search for the right one Milling Machine takes about 2 Months and here it is.
Steinel SH 3.5 from 1970 with automatic Table feed and ISO 30 Spindle Taper
(pictures taken by the Pre-Owner)











here is an Picture made by me after picking up the Machine at the Pre-Owners Place



The Pre-Owner have had made a lot of electrical Modifications but doesn't finish it so it will take a bit of Work and Time to restore the wiring back to the original standard.
I hope i will get as soon as possible the wiring schema to start the Projekt.

i you guys are interested i will update this Thread from time to time and post from the first steps until the first workpiece made with the Machine.

[Rich Waugh]

Have you been able to locate a vertical head for that Steiner, Nuno? The vertical head will sure make some jobs a lot easier, although most all of them can be accomplished with the horizontal head if you have the necessary clamping and jigging fixtures on hand. The horizontal head is sure nice when you want to do key ways and hobbing gear teeth. That should be a very handy machine for you. Good acquisition!

I have one of the Chinese vertical milling/drilling machines that I'm very happy with. Other than a burned out run capacitor on n the (German-made!) motor, I've had no problems. At only 1-1/2 hp it isn't an industrial machine, but it does all that I need to do. Mine is a geared-head machine, which I greatly prefer versus the pulley-change machines. Unless a nice J-head Bridgeport or Cincinnati comes my way really cheaply, this will probably be the only mill I'll ever have.

Good luck getting the Steiner all shipshape and running!

[bracabric]

Good stuff Nuno, I wish you well with your restoration. Yes please keep us up-dated if you can.
Dick

[zeyang]

hi nuno
by chance, do you have the manual for that SH4D?
I have one here in norway but havent got the manual

z

[fernold]

You made a great decision, buying your own milling machine is a good investment.