centec milling machine restored

[@matt.henderson3284]

Centec 2a, found it in a shed in rural Perth western Australia, shipped from south Africa, drenched in grey primer, along with a an aud boxford lathe. I suspect both stolen quite some time ago being that all the machined faces were also painted. Amazing where these things pop up.

[@oldpopmike]

Thanks for the video. I have a Centec 2A. Lovely machine. Cheers.

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks for watching!

[@WiltshireMan]

That's a great result Loz, a lovely machine. They don't make them that way anymore!

[@LozHarrop]

Hi Sandy, yes indeed the parts are so well machined and robust everything fits together like a glove.

[@johnnywilliams7355]

just a tip mate on that brass jobspeed up tool at least double .use 2flute for slotting and 4 flute for face and end milling also drill a size hole through to start a slot

[@LozHarrop]

Cheers Mate

[@beautifulsmall]

Love to see the Centec 2A, had one 20 years ago and sold it to someone in Canada, great solid machine, I couldnt get a universal head for mine.

[@LozHarrop]

yea the heads are difficult to get here too mate and expensive if you find one. Cheers

[@lloyd4768]

That's a really nice little mill!!! Puts my harbor freight one to shame.

[@newtfence1]

Hi Loz, great video. It's very helpful seeing the machine completely dismantled. I've just bought a Centec 2b at auction; it had been dismantled into large parts and left on a pallet. Like you, I took a chance on it and so far, it seems OK but is missing a few parts, including the sideways gib strip and all the set screws. Can you tell me where you got the screws for the gib strips? As you know they are 2" long and difficult to find. The closest I've found so far is some 3/16" bsf studding, but this isn't hardened. Thanks again for thd video, Jamie Linwood

[@LozHarrop]

Hi Jamie, Hope it all goes together well. I honestly cant remember mate, I just found them online somewhere, dont think I had to replace any of longer ones, but why worry about the studding being unhardened. after all it is just pushing against the gib strip literally finger tight with a pinch more and once locked in place with the nut will not wear anyway. I would use the studding if i had it without worry. Cheers.

[@newtfence1]

Thanks Loz, will do, cheers

[@aaronfoster6025]

Brilliant as always! What excellent work. I can't wait to see what beauties come out of that mill. Quite the machine shop you are assembling. I hope you and your family are staying well during this time. Cheers.

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks Aaron.

[@eddiecash9417]

Look at that smile... says it all, really pleased for ya and the best thing I'v seen on youtube in 2020.

[@LozHarrop]

Cheers Eddy, mid way through all the paint stripping and cleaning there was a severe lack of smiles mate, but like they say nothing worthwhile is easy.

[@peterfritzsche4654]

Really enjoyed this thanks for bringing us along

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks Peter

[@mickspain330]

Great job Loz, very interesting video, that was a lot of hard work but you got there in the end, great advert to your commitment thanks for sharing👍

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks Mick, Yes i was thankful once all the new paint was on, it then went along really fast

[@blackbearbowie8162]

nice machine mate, I picked up a Harrison 600 mill bout a year ago like you I love using it only thing I don't like it has a fixed head so I have feed from the bottom so along with my old colchester lathe im really getting into engineering, thx for your great vids

[@LozHarrop]

Hi Mate, yes that is one reason i searched for so long for the right machine with both knee and a quill, The harrisons are great Mills though better then the centec in other ways. Yes im also enjoying the engineering side alot.

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

That's going to be indispensable for stepping up your game on the production side Loz. Nice lineup of machines. 👍

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks James, for sure, already I dont know how i did without it.

[@samc705]

Proper job Loz, Good work.

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks Sam

[@wallaceandgromitltd]

Dont get me started on toilet roll.... LOL nice job Loz nice looking machine

[@LozHarrop]

Cheers Chris know what you mean.

[@bigblue1402]

You need to make a fly cutter now. You have plenty carbide bits 👌👍

[@LozHarrop]

Good idea mate

[@pearcemachineshop5200]

That’s looks spot on Loz you’ve done a great on it mate, when you were milling the slot in the brass the end mill had some run out on it, I’ve had it happen to me and I’ve not seen it till I’ve watch it back on the computer, cutter speeds can vary a lot depending who you talk to but this might help you, that 20mm cutter I would run around 2 - 300 rpm 1/2 inch cutters around 500 rpm 3/8 around 900 rpm smaller than that as fast as she will go, that’s for steel brass and ally quit a bit faster, as you get used to the mill it will kind of talk to you and let you know if your giving it to much stick, look forward to seeing it in future vides, thanks for the shout out Loz appreciated mate. Regards Al.

[@LozHarrop]

Cheers Al, I will write those speeds down for reference mate, yea i look forward to getting to know it .

[@harryvanniekerk7269]

Hello Loz, I find that you are really a true artist. I fancy the shape of the knife you made in stainless san mai. i want to ask your permission to use that shape, it is really beautiful and practical to me. thank you for the inspiration I may draw from your channel.

[@LozHarrop]

Hi Harry and thanks, yes by all means use it with my blessing. Cheers.

[@mikerobertson6663]

The Jedi Knight of forged Damascus knives.⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@kevindaly8649]

Cheers for the reply Loz. I have found a Centec 2B but it’s been changed about a bit. Its tatty and unloved and I need to give it a clean and rub down and a fresh coat of paint but there ain’t much wear anywhere on it. It’s got a three phase motor with a 230 single to 3 phase inverter. The table is shorter than the one quoted on lathes.co.uk but the knee feed is at the front of the machine. No vertical head though but I only paid 175 for it. I think I got the deal of the decade.

[@LozHarrop]

found you in the spam Kevin? whooaaah you did really well there mate I wish mine had the knee feed on the front it is awkward at the back. Because the centec was made and improved over many years the parts would mostly all the machines so you can get 2a heads on 2b bodys etc, the heads with a quill are the hardest to find and the most costly too. your front knee control wheel is a better option than a down quill feed anyway. Great set up with the inverter too just the best for the speed control. I will be doing that as the single phase on mine is starting to die it is a replacement motor by a previous owner but was very old when it was fitted. I really must get a dro fitted to mine would make it so much easier to use. Overall a great little mill as you will find once you get to using it. Cheers

[@RickRabjohn]

I Love it Loz!!! Good idea on the guard - time consuming doing it by hand for sure. You-da-man...... Given your elder state, (hahaha) hope you hunker down and stay healthy. Cheers

[@LozHarrop]

Cheers Rick, What you been up to mate ?

[@LozHarrop]

ps just had to click your bell icon again notifications stopped from you, wish they would stop messing things up

[@fugemlpriks1876]

You’ve got it all covered now Loz. 👌👍🍺

[@LozHarrop]

Getting there mate, cheers

[@bootlegblades6276]

that is a very cool little mill!! would love to find something like that.

[@LozHarrop]

Hey Mate, yea you gotta keep on looking but they are out there.

[@anthonygray8023]

Great to see another old mill restored. Your videos have been most helpful, i am currently restoring a Centec 2B with MKiii VH. could you list the supplier of the bearings and oil seal? Also the bearing numbers? Again many thanks Great job.

[@LozHarrop]

Hi there, glad the video helped Im sorry i just dont have the numbers for the bearings etc I orderd them from "simply bearings" online literally just measured the old ones bores and width, they were listed on their site i think they list both metric and imperial sizes from memory but fast service. cheers

[@mikerobertson6663]

Kurt vises are the Royals Royce of vises. They start at $600 though. But they are with every penny.

[@mikerobertson6663]

I'm sure pleased to see you're progress! Here in the States I have a couple Bridgeport milling machines and a South Bend lathe. I made my machine handles from some type of plastic left over from a job. If you have some machine shop buddies, see if they can source some "shoulder bolts" or some call them die bolts. Slip the handle that you custom made onto the shoulder bolt and then thread into milling crank handle. it's a great rig because nothing protrudes from the handle. is the spindle R-8?

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks for that Mike, nice machines the Bridgeports. the spindle is MT2 which is the same as the myford lathe handy as all the tooling can be changed over.

[@mikerobertson6663]

If you do much threading when making your knives. Get yourself some good quality two flute spiral pointed taps. Using these taps, you can get easily power tap with the mill and lathe.

[@ab-shop]

Hi Loz, i love your milling machine! I have a Chinese One But... your Is fantastic! Where can i found a Centec like yours? I live in Italy !! Thank you Loz !

[@LozHarrop]

Difficult to find Alberto they come up on ebay and lathes.co.uk now and then though. Cheers.

[@mikerobertson6663]

The hex tool is for your 5c collets to precision locate round parts for drilling and milling

[@LozHarrop]

yea i got that, I was chatting to Al after he sent them he made hex tool as well. Cheers

[@jameslaurencesmith7537]

hey up loz.!. liked your video !i aim to get a centec mill.. i want one that is vertical and horizontal .. i have always been fasinated with mechanics .. and anythink i wanted to do i did !and many a time dropped myself right in it ! i have seen quite a few centec...s on e bay and some exotic prices as well. but needs must so i am about to bite the bullet ,,, and possibly get stung !basicly i want the best at give away prices ... and i dont think that will happen.. your knowledge would be very welcome loz if you have time could you have a look at the ones on e bay and give me some advice ? please help.. regards ..laurence

[@roofintony6337]

upgrading the mancave is essential.........moreso than the living accommodation imo

[@LozHarrop]

Same page tony. cheers

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Brilliant 👍🏻

[@tropifiori]

Absolutely lovely.

[@LozHarrop]

Cheers Frank

[@jameslaurencesmith]

loz i am after a knee for a centec column also a table to suit i already have a centec 2 with vertical head but i struggle to change over to horizontal milling the years are taking their toll. con you help ?

[@carllie4848]

Hello from Norway. I have Just bought a centec2A mill. Needs to clean it up. I am wondering about the drawbar. It is not in metric? You got yourself a collettholder, is it ER32? It use metric drawbar? Best regards Carl Erik, Norway

[@LozHarrop]

Hi Carl, yes the draw bar it came with was imperial thread, I have since bought another ER 25 collet holder I think it was m8 thread, I re threaded the original bar with a die to m8 but i will make another one on the lathe at some point. The holder and collets Al sent me are mt2 ER25 Cheers.

[@bendewittii5120]

Awesome

[@Tonioostendorp]

Beautiful!

[@hannemannironworks1651]

Man that’s awesome!

[@LozHarrop]

cheers Mate

[@GnosisMan50]

They don't make them like that anymore...

[@ratuinoke2708]

Thanks You Tube

[@bigblue1402]

If you need specific milling bits let me know. You never know what I have in

[@LozHarrop]

cheers Dave, hey I can make some holders now for the carbide tips you gave me.

[@jameslaurencesmith7537]

loz its me again ! !...got me mill centec 2 horizontal arm all in good nick !now i need raiser block & vertical head..[ did the move on me tod ] with a mates van ,,! can you make me a raiser block .. ? you dont need any measurements ,, just copy yours and i will pay you well need a vertical head as well i keep looking on ebay to no avail need help loz regards laurence

[@LozHarrop]

Hi James, Glad you got hold of a mill mate but sorry im just not geared up to make a riser block or have the patience to try, if I had I would have made one for myself by now. Cant help with the vertical head either mate sorry, best bet is to just keep searching like i did until something comes up lathes co uk and ebay etc are the usual places, maybe ask on some of the forums as they are out there laying under benches etc. Cheers Loz.

[@MrBucidart]

Loz, bird flu, by the way .... how are the girls doing??

[@LozHarrop]

doing ok mate, not been out for ages but happy all the same, cheers

[@zim1513]

yo