Mini Lathe Vertical Mill Attachment

Has anyone used the Warco vertical mill attachment for the mini lathe, especially their type that clamps in the tool post? I know that it won't be very rigid, but it looks a quick way of carrying out simple milling without a lot of faffing about.

My cheapie QCTP has a set of toolholders and one of those has about a 25mm opening. I've used it as a quickie way to hold small work to drill and mill them - often using a brass block to which they were soldered. This worked quite well - although I'm generally using shellac in preference to soldering these days...

The block (with part attached) can be marked up and moved around between machines (with care) if required. The tool height adjuster gives the fine adjustment but a little thought before attaching the part is still required. Travel in both axis is limited and cuts need to be light - but it's a useful thing to keep in mind, especially for small scale modellers.

Regards,

IanT

Do you have a link to this attachment? The only ones I have seen attach to the cross slide. They are limited in use but good work can be done with them - but need a modicum of skill and patience, for most jobs.

Think the op is referring to this:

https://www.warco.co.uk/lathe-milling-slides/303016-lathe-tool-post-vertical-milling-slide.html

I'm currently looking at the fix to the cross slide version, but will need to make an adaptor plate for my CL250M

Edited By Ian Mellors on 03/02/2021 14:25:10

Yes, that's the one. It seems a fast way to set up a work piece, especially if the optional vice is used, plus it retains the adjustment of the compound slide, but is it any good?

Be aware that the picture in the link posted by Ian shows a vertical slide attached to a WM250, a lathe which is a bit bigger than a mini lathe.

Warco do a slide for a mini lathe, just make sure you are getting the correct one for your machine.

Jim

Thanks Jim, good point; maybe only the mini lathe specific slide will fit. The trouble with the vertical slides that bolt to the top of the cross slide is that you have to remove the top slide and so lose the ability to move the work in small increments, unless a handheld is fitted to the leadscrew.

Novel idea, and clearly only suited for light cuts. Not sure why it needs such a large overhang though? A smaller overhang would increase rigidity.

I contacted Warco and asked if it was suitable for the mini lathe, but received a useless answer, so I'm none the wiser.

So was the "useless" answer yes, no or non commital ?

regards

Someone on here asked this same question a few weeks ago and ordered one, maybe they could give their opinion now they've got it in their hands?

If yours is a typical mini lathe, you may find that the centre of the tool post won't traverse much further than the axis of the spindle, so unless that Warco attachment was mounted offset from the toolpost (in the manner of a cutting tool), you would be limited to using half the width of the vice for milling ops.

I asked if it was suitable for the mini lathe but Warco didn't answer the question, just told me that it mounts in the tool post, which I already know....

Here's the solution I came up with using a 10mm thick steel base plate locked down using the compound slide rotating insert. To be honest the setup up rigidity is still not brilliant and only allows light cuts. Since have obtained a proper Milling Machine.

Sounds like you were ‘helped’ by a politician or by someone that did not know the answer. I think you need to ring and ask again - and if the reply still does not answer your question, ask to speak to someone who can.🙂

Not sure there is a good answer! They work but, but, but... Limited travel, small jobs only, poor rigidity, and awkward work holding. Better on a big lathe than a small one and mini-lathes are dinky. Light cuts only and everything snugged up tight. Useful up to a point but don't expect anything like the straightforward performance of a real milling machine. I found my slide frustrating rather than useful, but to be fair it was when I was discovering my mini-lathe was generally too small for my needs.

Dave

This is mine, with the vice centred on the available cross slide travel - you can see that it's a fair way from the centre of the tool post (the hole between the two allen screws):

It's fixed using the compound slide mountings on one side, and a couple of tapped holes on the other. The mounting holes are arranged so that the plate can be removed without disturbing the slide. I added a dowel to the back side which, in conjunction with the spigot on the compound mount, ensures that the plate goes back in the same place each time without needing to be trammed in.

I'm sure a proper mill would be better if you have the money/space for one, but this has its uses.

Edited By Andy_G on 04/02/2021 23:29:07

Edited By Andy_G on 04/02/2021 23:32:02