New member with a Centec 2 mill

Hi , new member here. I've just purchased a Centec 2 mill, I'm keen to hear from other members who own or have owned one of these machines and their views. Thanks Tony

Hi Tony Welcome to the forum I don't have a Centec but there are many on this site who are more than willing to give advice and help.

David

I have had two Centec's in the past, they are superb little machines which are built to a very high quality.

Given the size limitations you will not be dissapointed. I only got rid of my last one to get a larger mill when building a 3" scale traction engine.

Phil

I have the rather larger 2B, but it also has a 120mm riser. That would be the first addition to watch out for with the smaller 2.

Is yours the one with the earlier non-qilll vertical head? No bother, really - any vertical head makes the machine that much more versatile than the basic horizontal format. Enjoy, they are a very good machine.

Edited By not done it yet on 31/08/2018 11:41:33

Thanks for the posts chaps. not done it yet, yes mine does have an early vertical head, would be nice to have the quill type so if you hear of one going anywhere please let me know, also a riser block too

Tony

Just bought a Centec 2 with some 2a additions; wind-up knee and sliding quill vertical head. I had most of one years ago but never got round to completing it.

I'm really impressed by the quality of the machine; I had to make a new captive draw-bar and a couple of locking screws for the micrometer dials, and changed to 3-phase with inverter, but it's now ready to go. All I need now is a long raising block so I can switch from vertical to horizontal without taking off the vertical head!

Alan

Hello Alan, another Centec user here; 2B in my case.
A friendly forum where advice and camaraderie are freely given.

Also in need of a riser block; there have been several discussions on here about the topic, but most of us don't seem to be any closer to completing our searches. A block of alloy works out about £100 for 18" of suitable size, plus any machining costs.

Bill

Welcome to the forum, Tony,

Neil

Welcome Tony,

The are 3 types of Centec Vertical head

Mk1 uses pulleys to drive the cutter head

Mk2 uses a shaft to drive the cutter head and swivels to horizontal. (yours and mine)

Mk3 as Mk2 + the quill.

Mk3's go for £300 to £400 and I can't be bothered as the knee moves. The only thing I can't do is drill at an angle and not yet found a need to since I bought it.

Mk2 and 3 were sold at the same time.

You can make a short riser block on a 2A though most owners do without as no one makes them anymore.

I've made about 20 Centec raising blocks, both short and long, all from aluminium. It's a time consuming process and the domestic authority has vetoed any further production. I am, though, prepared to make the drawings available if anybody is interested.

Hi Gary,

Yes, I would appreciate a drawing for the long extension block; a.m(at)khotso.co.uk

There are still several firms in West Yorkshire who might be prepared to do the job; If I find a good price I shall ask for bulk quotes and hope to find buyers on this forum.

Alan

Welcome Alan.

I have just completed a riser with reference to Gary's drawings (thanks Gary).They were available on here so do a search. There is also a Y Tube video which is interesting. I purchased a block of aluminium for £38 for the short size, and the process is fairly painless.

A bonus is that my apple watch told me that with all the winding back and forth of the table I had undertaken 2000% of my daily exercise target!!

If one searches the centec entries, Gary has already kindly linked to a pdf of his drawings.

I'd forgotten that I'd posted a link to the drawings some time ago - it's my age you know.

Here it is again ***LINK***