Wells-Index Model 847 Vertical Milling Machine - Machine Tour and Review

I had some questions about my Well-Index mill and thought I would respond with a video showing some of the features of this machine.

[@TomWalterTX]

Keith - thank you for the video. I bought a Index 555 twenty years ago. It was made in the mid 1960's and used for milling graphite blocks for an EDM shop. It was reground from the original BS #9 to R8 by Index-Wells in the 1980's. They still offer that service, btw. Do open up the Z power feed to inspect. The oil/grease had turned solid after 40 years, cleaned it out and refilled. My one shot lubrication was plugged up by wax based way oil (not good, takes a while to clean out). Put a drop of oil between your fingers and roll, if left with a wax thread, that is not the stuff to use. Make up wooden table covers that are 1/3 and 2/3 long. Swap sides every year. Evens the wear out. Fifty years later it is still running strong, and probably will be used by my son in fifty years. Keep the video's coming, I'm older than my milling machine but still learning.

[@bnuttsgee]

I just picked up a Wells index 747. I posted pics on the vm web site.I just got it wired up today and milled for the first time.Thanks for a great video Keith.

[@jeffreypfeifer862]

Very timely Keith as I was trying to get the power feed working on my Wells-Index 845 mill recently - never used that feature before. I just marked mine as you did on the "Engaged" lever... I suspect that will get it going. I need to use the boring head to open up an egged out link on my old Smith&Mills 12" shaper restoration... Thanks again for taking the time to tutor us "out here".

[@lastmanstandingwtsht]

She,s the real deal, and the company is still in buisines that says alot. Thanks for sharing

[@dougmottert2258]

Keith, another great video, Thanks for the hard work, love learning about equipment I have not ran before, keep up the good work, Thanks Doug M

[@DavidMilum]

Very informative and helpful for those of us in the market for a larger mill. Thank you Keith.

[@VintageMachinery]

+DavidMilum Thanks!

[@mesaman3000]

This was a rather informative video! We are in the exact same boat, looking for a bridgeport, fell into a wells index. Overall, we are excited to get our machine running. Currently in the process of building a phase converter, we have single phase and the machine is 3 phase. While waiting on parts, we are rebuilding the oiler and cleaning and adjusting the ways and gibs. The slide has about an .005 variance between center and the back or front. The options are to either get a new lead screw and nut, or buy a DRO. Going to look into the DRO you have and most likely go that route. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I will be sure to look at other videos on your channel!!!

[@jfcustomfab]

Hi Keith, I just picked up my first milling machine. Got me a wells index 847 based on this review alone! Thanks for sharing this I was originally looking for a Bridgeport but you convinced me other wise. Cheers John

[@BRUCH5]

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[@ScoutCrafter]

Outstanding demonstration! You could easily get a job in sales!!!! Thanks for sharing...

[@izzynutz2000]

My grandfather on my father's side worked for this company and help them get some of their machines corrected my grandfather worked in St Louis and the Wells Corporation paid my grandfather to move his whole family to Three rivers to help them correct their problems.....in 1939

[@dougbourdo2589]

Just found this video on your channel Keith. Also just came across a couple of Wells Index mills for sale. I am impressed by them. I understand they are possibly the last true American Made machines. Great machine tour.

[@VintageMachinery]

It is nice to know that they are still in business and still making mills right here in the good old USA! And they make a heck of a milling machine!

[@AWDJRforYouTube]

I have worked in several Co's that had BP's and clones. The Wells Index mills were as you said , much more ridged. Tend to stay TRAMMED IN AND ACCURATE after doing heavy milling & drilling, where as the BP's needed somewhat more TLC in my opinion.

[@clydecessna737]

Thank you Keith! I cannot express how helpful a video like this is to someone who has never even seen a milling machine let alone worked with one. Watching metal being turned in memorizing fascination can only go so far. Rather like watching endless video facing out a car window without understanding how the car works. Thank you so much. Would it be possible to do the other shop machines? Thanks for a Christmas present.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Clyde Cessna I will try and do similar videos as I get new machines in the shop that I can do a review on.

[@Buckrun11]

Very nice machine. Thanks for the review

[@gavendb]

I have a 645 wells index. great machine with a cool patina.

[@FredMiller]

Great video Keith! Thanks for the tour... Fred

[@arneminderman3770]

Great mill !!!

[@hdoug5]

awesome video ty :) I didn't know the bed could flex that much to affect the center of the ways, nice to know :)

[@Opinionator52]

Hey Keith, That is a nice mill I like the look of the transmission speed changer, it looks like a good mill all around... I've got an old Bridgeport that was very well kept... I'm really fond of it. It belonged to my mentor since it was new in the 70s I got it when he passed away with a ton of tooling from his son... The Wells-Index seems to be every bit the mill as a Bridgeport, thanks for showing it to us! :o] O,

[@BruceBoschek]

That is a very impressive mill. It really does appear to be a good bit beefier than an equivalent Bridgeport. I'm sure you would enjoy having an autofeed on the Z-axis :-). Thanks much for sharing this with us.

[@jimliechty2983]

Nice mill Keith.....thanks for the look!....I was actually looking at a couple today, and if I upgrade to a BP sized machine,(and get rid of a couple of the four I have) I'd probably go for an 847......to the guy that had his quill lock slip....all you need to do is screw the lever out, and turn the embedded nut on the backside to the next flat on the hex nut, and it will grip like new.Every vertical miller I have seen, the spindle locks were all put together the same.

[@matthewtE]

YOU'RE THE BEST! Thank you!

[@billdoodson4232]

I have worked on a number of Bridgeport milling machines over the last 40 odd years in various companies maintenance workshops. It really put me off them TBH, they were I suppose all abused and knackered. None would hold a decent cut and when I finally get a better machine for my retirement workshop it'll be a 40 taper instead of that horrid R8.

[@Abom79]

Thanks for sharing the Wells-Index mill with us Keith. It looks like a fin machine to use. I noticed a few design differences between it and BP. They have the same features but its obvious W-I has theres set up a little differently. I do like a variable speed head and sounds like you have a nice range of RPM on this one. Thats the same digital readout I plan on buying for my DoAll. I like the low profile size of the magnetic scales. Take care buddy, and thanks again! Adam

[@Bookerb2004]

I watched this last night before bed, I like the equipment & tool reviews.

[@millomweb]

Have either of you done a machine tour of the K&T ? Always interesting seeing different makes of machine up close and personal - especially for their quirks/unusual features.

[@AeroSport103]

Nice mill Sir. I think I could find room for it in my shop...8) Take care, be safe!

[@rob7439]

Thanks for the help I was tasked with getting the schools wells index back up and running. The manual quill won't come down and I'm thinking something in the autofeed is still engaged.

[@GK1918]

Very nice Kieth lots of nice features I wish I had. I also fall into the heavy weights, being a Cincinnati. Wish it had a brake, takes forever to wind down with its massive (fan flywheel). Power downfeed is clutch driven thats nice. I too move the vise around to minimize wear. Gotta make me a brake. keep em commin sam

[@luvstruck2733]

Ok Keith, I didn't know there were machines like your Wells, that could not be repaired. To me that is very scary because I plan to be able to work on any machine I might acquire in the future. Mostly because of video's like you have done that show you how. Hope you can answer this one.

[@jaimevega4370]

Very informative and unbiased. I enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@tobyw9573]

When adjusting the various hex heads that control angle, it might be a good idea to find a pristine socket or make one of aluminum or Delron to dedicate to the job, that has a pure hex and does not wear the head unevenly like the newer sockets that are made with a recessed circular corner (drilled?) and tend to wear the corners of the hex in an ugly way. I have noticed this happening on auto lug bolts. Perhaps this is not a problem on machine tools since the turning torque is low.

[@DSCKy]

What about the hand drill solution to the vertical movement? Seems like a lot of people do it that way.

[@scottgoessling]

Thanks Keith! I just purchased my first mill (Wells Index 847). I cannot tell you how much this has helped. Huge fan. Thanks. Will the quill be locked in if auto feed is engaged? I cannot get the quill handle to move down and am trying to figure out what lever/knob to pull or push to fix it.

[@VintageMachinery]

+Scott Goessling Yes, it will be locked if auto feed is engaged. There is also a quill lock that needs to be loose.

[@scottkaui6224]

Hi Keith did you make a video of Dro install?

[@Vickwick58]

Do you still have the teeth you cut on the Bridgeport? I'd love to see them.

[@billdlv]

Good review Keith. I've never used an actual Bridgeport, but have used a couple of clones. How is the quill lock on your mill? I've had that slip on one of the machines I used. If you do any work to tighten up the table that would make a good video. The video you did on the gib adjustment was helpful.

[@andregross7420]

I think the turret pivoting gearing system to move it in a 360 degree range with a wrench is for moving the ram in and out not turning the turret. May I ask why the head is canned over to the side? It's been bugging me from the first time I saw it lol

[@wdhewson]

Mills have amazing versatility. I currently don't own one, but hope to. Do you know your mill's history. Did it go into a particular industry or school? Thanks.

[@neilmaster785]

looking at a new one. still built in the usa in michigan

[@iananderson8526]

GOOD VIDEO KEITH WHAT HORSEPOWER IS THE MOTOR THANKS IAN

[@stevewatr]

Hi Keith. I think #9 Brown & Sharpe is the other taper found on these mills. I only assume this because I see people online offering the service to regrind them to R8.

[@rokdevil]

Some (like mine) came with Kwikswitch 200.

[@duanedickey7043]

NMTB 30 taper is the other.

[@thefluffychub5604]

How do you move the whole head forward.. (dovetail) I looked under the rear of the dovetail and there's a chain running the length of it.. any adjustments for that?? Or???

[@dixiefix6055]

Mr. Rucker do you know what it weighs by chance?

[@chrisstephens6673]

Hi Keith, It is quite understandable why mills wear in the centre when people insist on always putting their vices in the centre of the table instead of alternately placing it on either side each time it is refitted. Apart from spreading wear, following this practice also always room for other devices to be fitted at the same time. I notice yours is offset, is this for that reason or is it to put the vice on a less worn part of the lead screw? chris

[@phuzzz1]

Great machine Keith, I had a Wells Index some years ago and it was as capable if not more so than the Bridgeport, as you said, built a bit heavier. I think the other spindle taper they now come thru with as an option would be a #30, probably a bit more stout than the R-8. My Wells Index had a B&S #9 taper when I got it so I removed the whole spindle and sent it to Wells Index and they reground it to an R-8 for a very reasonable price and I was happy with it for quite a few years, and the fellow I sold it to is still happily using it, gee, now I'm kinda wondering if I should have kept it and sold one of the Bridgeports ?? Mike

[@tubewaldo]

What part of Ga. are you from? I live outside of Helen.

[@eliduttman315]

Keith, Maybe you can copy Tom Lipton (Ox Tools). He adapted a hand held power drill to get Z axis power feed on his vertical milling machine. Eli D.

[@Brad1962Fisher]

Hi Keith! Adam Booth at Abomb79 was talking and showing an attachment for hos drill that makes your knee crank handle into a power feed - check it out! Saturday Night Special 4

[@Brad1962Fisher]

I meant that you could machine his an chuck attachment for your machine to put in a drill! Like Adam had made for him!

[@DrMerkwurdig]

Interesting review, thanks for sharing! Really nice mill! I saw a Wells-Index in a picture at metalworkingfun.com a while back, but I've never seen one irl. A one-shot lubrication system is nice, I have that on my Abene VHF-3 mill and I think it significantly contributes to keeping the ways in good shape. I did a KZbin review of my Abene a while back, you might want to check it out.

[@millomweb]

Love to. Where's the link ?

[@dougankrum3328]

Cuantry of Origin.........?

[@VintageMachinery]

If you are talking about Wells-Index, made in Muskegon, MI, USA - still making them and still in business!