Md-30 Milling Machine Pulley Cover

I purchased a derelect, damaged mill from the classifieds, which was in pieces.

I restored it inside and out, but i am missing one item - the top cover which encloses the pulley system for the unit. Before i fabricate one from scratch, i figured i’d ask here if anyone knows where i could purchase one. There were no markings on the mill, other the the model number md-30 - i believe its imported. If i could find one close to the right size (which it seems this model is offered by several brands) that would give me a head start.

Any leads?

ill get a photo of my mill tomorrow, but i believe its almost identical to this one

https://images.app.goo.gl/tUEtSFShC7Z1W1qh6

Edited By Jeremy Smith 2 on 21/05/2020 07:52:00

Just a suggestion Jeremy.

If the Major mill is so similar, there may be a way ahead for you to "adjust" the pulley cover from that rather than fabricate your own; always assuming of course that you can acquire it as a s[pare part.

Regards Brian

Warco, Chester, Axminster all do versions of the "30" size mill/drill (frequently called RF30, as I understand the originator of the type was a Taiwanese company Rong Fu), so would be worth contacting for spares.

I would try Chester first, as I have visited their Broughton site on open days & they seemed to have a lot of parts stored from machines that arrived damaged & retained for parts.

I have a Taiwan built RF30 branded "Trutool" - happy to supply pictures & dimensioned sketches of the sheet metal belt guards if you decide to go the DIY route.

Nigel B.

If you could post sketches, that would be fantastic. With dimensions if possible. I will check with chester online to see what they have.

OK - should be able to get to do that over the weekend.

My machine is the earlier type with the belt cover comprising two steel pressings - all smooth edges & radii. I would guess that a one-off would be folded from sheet & welded / rivited - maybe not as "smooth" looking, but just as good for keeping your bits from getting entangled with the whirly bits !

Nigel B.

I searched chester tools on google with no luck. Does anyone have a link to this unit from chester?

i can easily make the cover...i’m just trying to avoid building it because I have restored the unit and just want to use it already!

The Chester version was called the Eagle 30 see here.

It does not seem to be present on the Chester website now (though it was until fairly recently) - could just be that they are awaiting stock.

Chester's contact details are at the bottom of this page.

Nigel B.

(edits for spelling  - fingers getting ahead of brain ! )

Edited By mgnbuk on 22/05/2020 10:25:47

Edited By mgnbuk on 22/05/2020 10:25:57

Edited By mgnbuk on 22/05/2020 10:27:01

Jeremy,

I have created a public album in my profile "RF30 mill drill" with various pictures of the pulley guard arrangement from a number of angles, inside and out.

A worthwhile excercise, as I found that I had not been as effective at keeping the metal worm at bay as I thought - the top part of the column had some light surface rust, now cleaned off and oiled. An unheated garage does cause problems with condensation on machinery with temperature changes.

Not so happy to find that the supposedly flexible plastic column cutout cover had gone brittle with age & snapped at the hinge when I opened it. - always something ! Still usable, though, just doesn't hinge any more.

I'll put some dimensioned sketches in the same album when I get them done.

Nigel B.