Warco VM 15 Mill - Instruction Manual / Vice Advice

Hi All,

Today I finally took the plunge and brought myself my first mill. It's a second hand old Warco and I got it for a really good price. The model number VM 15 model and is driven by belts to adjust the speed.

I was wondering if anyone has the same model and if so do you happen to have the instruction manual? If so, would you be able to email me a copy?

The mill came with a box of end mills, face mills, drills, collet chuck etc but doesnt have a vice.

I've ordered a few bits and pieces from ARC and have to say that their service has been exceptional. I just wondered if anyone has brought and used their Precision vices? I’m looking for a normal milling vice and also one that tilts. Or am I better off to look for a second hand one on ebay? If so, what brand is good.

Sorry if I’m covering off old ground.

Kind Regards

Steve

I just wondered if anyone has brought and used their Precision vices? I’m looking for a normal milling vice

I have ‘normal’ milling vises and also a couple of type ll - a 70mm and a 90mm.

They are now my ‘go to’ vises, if appropriate for the job. The others are used when it suits or the type lls are not big enough.

Type ll might be considered as ‘marmite’ vises - some like them and some definitely don’t (it’s how I got my second) but not a lot come up second hand.

You may have noted that Arc do more expensive tilting vises - but good tilting vises take up a lot of table vertical space and are not needed so very often. I have an Abwood which, while it doesn’t eat anything, is not used much!

Abwood vises are good quality, if buying second hand - as long as not damaged or worn out.

How big is a VM15?

Got a photo of this mill, a Google search doesn't reveal one of these machines?

It’s a wild guess, but ... try this thread: **LINK**

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=162074

MichaelG.

Thanks Michael, that's more than likely the one, seems big enough for most 4" vices, just depends what the op will be using it for that will decide what's most suitable.

I have the 100mm vice swivel base from ARC and it is solid. I have removed the swivel base as it gives you more height cutter to table and it is more solid but I use it when I have multiple angles to mill.

130-040-00800* Radial Milling Vice 100mm

David

I've got the 70mm type 2 precision vice from Arc Euro and it is excellent, well made, very accurate and sturdy. You could fit the bigger 90mm on your table and have plenty of room to spare.

I've not found the need to get a tilting vice so can't really comment, I've always tilted the job in some sort of fixture, or with a clamping arrangement on a face plate, or in the vice itself.

IanJ

Just a heads up re the type ll vise, particularly if bought second hand. Check that the tightening screw/bolt cannot foul the bed when fully screwed in. There was a problem with some of them, but easily sorted by removing a small amount of metal from the screw/bolt to avoid any possibility of marking the machine bed.

Hi Pete,

Yes, I did have a google about but it didn’t bring anything up.

Please see attached the photos. Apologies for the quality I took them quickly when I brought it but then had to dissemble the mill into manageable pieces to get it out of a first floor flat workshop..

Thanks Michael

Thanks a lot.

Cheers Ian.

thanks David.

hi Steve, I think you actually have an early Warco Economy mill/drill Warco Economy

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 24/01/2021 11:28:39

Certainly looks like the Economy mill - I think it was 'badged' by a number of companies years ago. Good and solid assuming its not been abused, not much to go wrong otherwise (i.e. no Iffy electronics)

I'v got a similar sized more modern machine (but dovetail column etc) and generally find that I use my ARC Precision Tool Vice Type 3 most of the time for a lot of things. I've 3 or 4 other vices of varying types but rarely use them, I do have an 'economy' tilting one that I bought when first starting out but don't think I've ever had call to use it.

I would consider getting a couple of assorted slotted angle plates though if you don't already have any. So many clamping options avaiable with a bit of ingenuity!

Enjoy your new toy. Regards

Be careful where you install the mill. My version came with the warning

"Please not to be installing complex machine in the sunshine place "

I heeded the warning and the machine worked very well . Very solid and easy to adjust .

Brian

..if you can't download the Grizzly manual ( 'now discontinued' ), in Nick's link above, an internet search for 'RF-25 mill manual' might bear fruit.

Also the Grizzly manual for it's bigger brother, the G0705, is still available to download - notwithstanding slight differences in capacity and maybe detail variations, the layout of the controls and the manner of operation is pretty much the same, I think.

Looks a useful machine, I like the stop on the Y axis, it shows some previous owner was thoughtful..

Edited By DiogenesII on 24/01/2021 13:37:28

This is England, so not much chance of that.