Milling M/C

Has anyone any thoughts on Tom Senior Milling Machines (M1)
Either an Elliott Omni or a Tom Senior will be ideal from a 'space available point of view'. Perhaps not the most efficient criteria for selecting a mill, but nevertheless.....

My friend Jim has just got an M1, and it is the first Tom Senior I had seen, I was very impressed with the quality and build is solid! Have a look on www.lathes.co.uk, on the machine tool reference guide, he gives all the details. Nothing wron with Elliot either, top quality machines, nothing to choose between really, depends on what you can get!

Phil

There is also a Tom Senior Yahoo group with lots of info, and some very knowlegable members too.

Phil

Thanks Phil. I've read the lathes.co.uk material. Quite comprehensive, isn't it?

The Centec 2B is about the same size too. And the Warco VMC (and Chester equivalent) which is basically a copy of the Elliott.

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The Tom senior was also on my 'looking list'. But like you space is a consideration.

I decided it would be a little tight in the area the mill needs to go. I could fit it in but then would not be able to store my motorbike also.

I take delivery this week of a Boxford VM30 which is not quite as large but also does not have some of the features that a Tom senior does.

If you get a good one that has been looked after I hear Tom seniors are 1st rate in the application the were designed for.

Nick

I've had my M1 with the "S" type vertical head, for 20 years or so. Very solid and well built. I have updated it by fitting a three axis DRO's, and an inverter drive on the vertical head.

Very happy with whats its capable off, and would be reluctant to ever sell it.

Barry

Jack if you can find a good one with a vertical head snap it up.

Fairly robust for a small mill but do stand out from a wall. Will need extra room at back if using the horizontal mill on ISO taper.

Only used the one where used to work on occasions, load up and leave to run, theyre ok. In fact far better than the 626, VMC and the like, they were made to last. Ronan picked one up last year and quite happy.

Most have seen are worn, walk away and bide your time.

What would be the requirement to assist you in reversing that reluctance Barry???

You wil have to prise it from my cold dead hands.

That, or lots of folding money.

Barry

I used to have a Tom Senior M1 mill with the standard vertical head,good well built solid machine,good for horizontal milling,unfortunately there is not much room under the vertical head,especially if Clarkson auto lock chuck is used, it would be ok if the E type head was fitted,lot more room and has a quill feed on the spindle though these are rare,though they do come up occasionally on E bay. you need room at the back to change belt speeds and remove the draw bolt for the horizontal arbour. Went to the factory once back in the seventies with a mate who collected his new E type mill,very good machine tool builders.

The Elliot omnimill looks ok plenty of room under the spindle though probably not so rigid as a Senior, Have a look at a Harrison,similar in size to the Senior though there appears to be more room under the spindle as the vertical head attachment is set higher in relation to the horizontal spindle, Some types of Senior and Harrison were supplied only as vertical,its far better to have the horizontal and vertical options. These mills are ok for small model building,i.e. 2'' traction engines,and 5'' locos,but if you may want to restore old motor cycles or stationary engines then a bigger mill is better i.e. Bridgeport as you always run out of room on a smaller mill.though a smaller mill is far better than no mill.

I thought that might be the case Good for you. Hang onto what is precious to you.
I never really imagined that you may be persuaded, & may your cold dead hands be many, many years away.

ATB
Jack

Thank you Nigel. That is very sound practical advice. And very much appreciated.
I'll do some research into the Harrison.
I honestly can't profess to be a model engineer - and it is extremely unlikely that I will ever build a loco. But it is equally unlikely that I will ever restore a motorcycle or a car. Much of what I am doing and intend to do, in the foreseeable future, is to make items for my wood lathe, picture framing work and tool/application items around the workshop.
I am looking at a school Senior, which appears to be in very good condition, as would be expected. I will go back and check on the dimensional issues you have raised.

Kind regards,
Jack

Hello Jack,

My own experience is with the Junior model I picked up at auction over 10 years ago. Like the comments made on MI machines, it is beautifully made and as accurate a machine as I need. I had to break into the motor windings to make it reversible, the motor fitted was of non original Chinese make, but it runs well and will work all day without complaint

It is a smaller machine maybe than what you are looking fior, but coming from the Senior stable I think it is a testament to the quality of their work.

Regards Brian