Centec 2A riser block

Hi Guys and Dolls, I need information as to where I can get a riser block for my 2a or does any member have one the want to sell. Any help would be great. Thanks.

You may have to make it

(short one)

Have considered that, seem to remember some one on here saying the long version were made of aluminium, does that sound right,

I've made about 20+ blocks, mostly long ones, but 2 or 3 short ones. All were made of 6082T6 aluminium.

If you're considering making one then I can let you have some of the working drawings I did. If you intend to do any horizontal milling then I strongly recommend making a long one because the VH is very heavy, and once fitted on a long block, it doesn't need to be removed for the change over.

Gary, that would be good, is there room on a 2a to cut a long one, alternatively how much would you charge to make one for me.

Sorry Bill, the Domestic Authority has forbidden me to make any more.

I still have the drawings though.

Gary - I would be very interested to see a copy of your drawings, and I have sent you a PM with details.

I have two Centec Automills - an "A" and a "B" - and the vertical head without the quill. This fits directly onto the Automill (A) but not the type B as the dovetail in the column is wider. I'm sure you knew that but others less familiar with the marque may wonder what the difference is.

I bought a lump of EN1A leaded a little while ago to make a riser/adaptor block - the job would be immensely easier with the drawings to hand.

Best rgds Simon

I'd also be interested to see your drawings please.

I was hoping to order one from Tony at Lathes.co.uk but it doesn't look like he's going to commission any more.

Bill

Bill,if you look up “centec raising block” on this site you’ll find a recent discussion about this. A 2b isn’t quite long enough to make the long block so the 2a certainly can’t and there’s no point in having the short block( unless you’re willing to give up the horizontal facility) because of the weight of the vert. head. Still trying to organise getting mine made,I’ll send you a pm tomorrow. Frank

Ooops - misinformation alert!

Sorry folks, Automills come as Mk1 and Mk2, not A.B.C etc.

My apologies.

Simon

Gary, thanks I would be grateful for the drawings,will you post them on here or send to my mail.

Frank, thanks, any info I can get will be helpful.

The drawings I created for making the blocks were intended for my own use only, but I've had so many requests for them that I've put them in a PDF. They are not really of publishable quality but they are what I used, so they do the job. If you decide to redistribute them then please acknowledge their origin.

The PDF can be found **HERE**

Here are some photos of a few

Thanks for that Gary,very kind. Frank

Thanks from me too.

If I may ask, from where did you obtain the alloy bar?

Thanks
Bill

Edited By peak4 on 14/08/2019 16:23:49

I know a jobbing machine shop who could make a batch of these, but there are a couple of dimensions missing, ie overall height and length. I know the height doesn't really matter, but what has been found convenient? What are people willing to pay?

Many thanks for the PDF Gary, that's very helpful and very kind.

Brian

Yep thanks from me to Gary.

With the long one did you not find it somewhat forward heavy.

Gary has given us the length as 457mm and heights as 114 or127 overall. I’d been assuming they were made from 100x100 which is easy to find but obviously not so ideal mechanically. Next problem for anyone thinking of batch production is the different sizes of dovetail-the overarm bracket on mine would be an extremely tight fit on the v.head,for example. Would it matter if the ‘female’ dovetails were cut a few thou on the large side and a thin gib strip made to take up any difference,we’re only clamping something in place after all,not like the dovetail s on the table. In fact,given that it’s made of aluminium,perhaps a strip of steel or brass would be a good thing.