Kearney & Trecker.

Hi all, I have the chance to purchase a Kearney and Trecker 205 S12 milling machine. It also comes with the vertical overarm. Has anyone on here had any experience with the above model. [or any K&T ] It looks a formidable machine built I expect for heavy work It might even be "overkill " for my exploits. It is in super nick and comes with a whole host of accesories. I got one of the millers from me brothers work to check everything out and all appears to be sweet as a nut. but [and theres always a but ] the miller was wondering what possible use I had for it ? Well nothing specific but it looks super and I am teetering. It will crertainly be a big step up from me Chester lux that I have just now !!

Raymond.

Oh I envy you ! Look at Abom79 channel on YouTube he has a K&T he is a full time machinist with a homeworkshop too and has restored his. K&T is serous stuff and makes Bridgeport stuff ( nothing wrong with BP) look weedy. One thought, do you have 3 phase or enough welly to run it off an inverter ? do check that the motor is dual voltage. I think the mill is mostly hydraulically controlled so there should not be several power feed motors to deal with.

Time to start on that 1:1 traction engine

Neil

Ive just spent the last hour or so on google doing some searching, and the opinions are that they are very serious machines built for heavy work. I found a video on you tube which is the same machine as my prospective purchase. Would it be suitable for Carbide cutters, or would I have to stick with M42 or such like ?

I will have no problem powering it as I will get the electronics lads from me brothers work to build what is needed as they also did me DSG 17t I will have to decide by Monday. although it looks like the man from Del Monte, he say "yes ".

You might have to ask on PM forum about the type of carbide cutters. I think some of the K&Ts had a flywheel built in to both provide the power and absorb the shock from early carbide cutters that had fewer teeth than they would now. Not really a problem for a hobbyist not trying to bash though at max rate.

I would go for it,very good machine from one of the top manufacturers,you cannot better a big heavy milling machine,for finish and accuracy of the workpiece

If you have the room for it and the cash to buy it without sacrificing a kidney then go for it!

Even if you only look at it and rub it down with an oily rag every week it will be yours to do with as you please. I bought quarter of a ton of die filing machine for which I have no use at all, but I love it all the same.

Enjoy your purchase.

Mick

Have you had a quote to move it ? I used one many years ago and they are very heavily built. Seems like overkill for a home workshop but a very nice machine, it will be a bit like riding a cart horse compared to say a Bridgeport turret mill.

It seems to be 5hp 20-1600 rpm and universal if it comes with the overarrm etc and head. A typical cooking milling machine as far as I am concerned. The sort of thing I have seen lots of in several large toolrooms. A toolroom might have something smaller and faster about if they need it. I have seen Thiels and Deckels around and more recently a larger high speed machine who's name I unfortunately can't remember - not that I would ever have space for one. It was exceedingly heavily built and capable of high speeds.

I understand a 2 speed motor Bridgeport can reach getting on for 5,000 rpm. As far as low diameter carbide cutters go that just means a higher feed rate can be used. Carbide cutters do not have to be run at maximum speeds. I have seen one used for heavy work, a drop forge die sinker working from "home". He was for ever scraping the horizontal slide that carried the head to retain the machines accuracy and getting a bit cheesed off about it.

John

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Edited By John W1 on 12/12/2015 10:48:23

John W1. Would that have been the Bridgeport that was always having to be scraped or a Kearney & Trecker ?

Fine looking machines. Looks as if it's a proper universal machine, not just horizontal / vertical.

Nice example in this Youtube video if you want a walkaround. You'd be silly not to get it if it's a good price. The tooling seems to end up costing as much as the machine but that's true no matter what you get....

Edit: Interestingly, the machine in this video doesn't seem to be a true universal machine even though it's also described as being the same model. Perhaps it was available in both flavours?

Edited By Muzzer on 12/12/2015 16:07:09

I'd make room for it - whatever it takes!

Muzzer: Correct, the machine in the second video isn't a universal. Nice machines though, pity about the lousy photography and incorrect commentary.

Andrew