Photo Index - Atlas Press Co. - MF | VintageMachinery.org

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Atlas Press Co.
Kalamazoo, MI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Mill, Horizontal
Machine Size:	Bench Top Mill
Submitted By:	John Hough

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	MF
Date of Manufacturer:	Early-to-mid 1940s
Serial Number:	001010
Last Updated	8/23/2012 3:19:32 PM

Comments:

I bought this Atlas MF mill at an auction in Berks Co., Pa back in Nov ’11. It was literally a “barn find” that had suffered years of neglect (see http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=105770). The years in the barn left all its moving parts frozen, fortunately as it turns out, in the varnish remains of its last coat of oil/cutting fluid. Although it was pretty much a basket case, this early-to-mid 1940s 12 speed included the original drawbar, light, M1-600 coolant pump, M1-200 index centers, S7-402 Rotary Index table, a Benchmaster Model 3A vise, rolling cabinet, a 7/8 arbor, several end mill holders, and 23 cutters. Unfortunately, the cutter cover, its only missing major component, was nowhere to be found. The mill and accessories did not appear to have been used in decades - the power cord was fried, all movable surfaces were frozen and the paint was shot. Anyway, I wasn’t able to get to it until the heat of the summer drove me deep into the basement cool. After an initial set-back involving the change-o-matic gear set (see http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=108468), the full month-long disassembly/strip/repaint/re-wire restoration went relatively smoothly. It was by far the most difficult restoration I’ve done. Unfortunately I didn’t take any in-progress pictures. It turned out nicely and will be a welcome addition to the shop. In the bonus department, I was even able use it to manufacture replacements for its broken drive shaft parts. The "self-replicating" nature of it is very appealing to me - now if could just mill up the missing cutter cover it'd be at 100%!

John

Photo 1:

Comments: The mill fresh from the auction, prior to unloading
Source: John Hough, Nikon CoolPix 51C

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Photo 2:

Comments: After restoration with original accessories and rolling cabinet (the casters are replacements)
Source: John Hough, Nikon CoolPix 51C

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Photo 3:

Comments: Shot of the cabinet interior and some of the surface gage and plate that came with it
Source: John Hough, Nikon CoolPix 51C

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Photo 4:

Comments: Pump and motor shot
Source: John Hough, Nikon CoolPix 51C

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Photo 5:

Comments: Motor and controls shot - note reversing switch on motor box
Source: John Hough, Nikon CoolPix 51C

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Photo 6:

Comments: A close up of the machine front
Source: John Hough, Nikon CoolPix 51C

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