Two New Mills!!!

[kz1000]

I found these mills in a barn near where I live! Can anyone help me identify exactly what model they are and about how old they are? (I know they are OLD) They say series 1 on the head but I see in the forum that some have ram heads and some don't? I assume they are Boss machines, but all they say on them is Bridgeport/Textron. Thanks KZ1000.

[DennisCNC]

If they are cheap or free just take them. They will need a retro anyway so it makes little difference how old they are, I think.

[kz1000]

I found them in a barn, bought them from the owner, and now they are in my shop. Also drivers, motors and power supplies for two more machines. Heavy buggers.
I'm just wondering what exact model they are.

[damae]

Originally Posted by kz1000 ...I'm just wondering what exact model they are.

They're BOSS machines for sure, but I am not expert enough to know if they are a BOSS3, BOSS4, or BOSS5? If so they are late 70's or early 80's models. I have a BOSS3 and it looks identical.

I got the impression that later models (BOSS6,7,8,etc.) all came with the rigid ram, which yours does not have.

The chrome ways look in good shape, which is good news! If you reach under the table and pull back the spiral ballscrew cover, you can get an idea how the ballscrews look -- rusted or not. If they're in good shape, then next you'll want to run the spindle and check runout and listen for noisy bearings. If those three things (ways, screw, spindle) are in good shape, you've got a PRIME machine for retrofitting. There are a number of great retrofit options, including one that allows you to keep the original stepper motors and drives, replacing only the outdated BOSS comptuer with a special breakout board and a computer running Mach.

Let us know how it progresses!

[ww_kayak]

Are they both the same? I wish I had a "parts" machine for the one I just bought

[kz1000]

Yes they are both the same! one was reportedly running when it was stored. I think I will try to resurrect it with Mach3 and a Hillbilly bob.

[Kevin Taylor]

Might try to power up and see If they will run afterall you still need the steper's and the spindel to run first before investing in more part's If they are Boss3 I was told that they are not RS232 compatible but you can get a blackbox to convert com port to RS232 The seril Number might get you an idea of wich control you have I'm sure Machinetec or hillbilly can help If the price was right you diden't get hurt any tool holder's and does the guy you bought them from know how to run them that might be the best place to start Looking at the key pad I would think they are Boss4or5 Key pad has a lot more stuff than My Boss3 Good luck Kevin

[kz1000]

Unfortunately the guy who owned them passed away... so no info about the machines. His son said that one of them was running when it was taken out of service. I don't think they are rs232 compatible either. Tape readers only . I got five extra stepper motors and the controls/ drivers for two more machines with the deal! I have no way to test the extra motors yet. They were in cardboard boxes that were made for the motors but I know they are used because the cables were cut off. Why would they cut the cables off a stepper? Why would they keep the motors if they were bad? I'm guessing (hoping) that they retrofitted two other machines and the previous owner kept the parts. I should be able to get three good motors out of a total of eleven!
If they are all good someday maybe I'll build a plasma table with three of the spares! Whoo hoo! I love old junk!

[damae]

Originally Posted by kz1000 ... Why would they cut the cables off a stepper? Why would they keep the motors if they were bad? I'm guessing (hoping) that they retrofitted two other machines and the previous owner kept the parts...

When I removed the steppers from my BOSS3, I had three options:
1. Open the rear cover plate on the motor and unhook each wire from the motor, leaving the cable intact and on the machine.
2. Remove the motor with the cable. Since there was no connector, I spent a lot of time unhooking and pulling the wires through the controller.
3. Cut the cable.

At first glance, it might seem like someone would cut the cable only if the motor was bad. But since replacing the cable is such a pain, I imagine the person cut the cable because they had no intention to keep the BOSS control intact.

The motors were probably in good shape when removed!

[Kevin Taylor]

KZ1000 You should find a pair of plugins on the front of the right hand cabnent as you are standing in front of the mills down low to the right they have a rubber hood over them one of theis will go to RS232
on a external device PC ect. do you mave any manuals there is a diagram for wiring and the plug pinout the plug on the mill is a little hard to find but is avalable any PC with a DB9 com port and use hyperterm to comunicate it's in windows 2000 under accesorys then you can load program from a pc If the control is working sounds like you have enough spairs to at least get one running the board's are fragel so be carefull with them R&R and clean contacts with a pencile eraser I hope the barn was dry look's like the rest of the machine is in good condtion Good luck Kevin

[machintek]

NOT a BOSS 3. Wrong display.

If boards are XDI and RCK then it is a BOSS 4 or 5. If LSI 11 has 4 large IC then PROBABLY a BOSS 4. If 5 large IC then probably a BOSS 5. I say this because the BOSS level is determined by the ERS board. Some BOSS 4 machines did NOT have RS232. If given the part number of the ERS, I can tell you what it is.
A BOSS 6 had a ZCK, ZDI and NTP. I only mention the boards that are unique to it. BOSS 6 were built as a series 1 or 2.

George

[kz1000]

Originally Posted by Kevin Taylor KZ1000 You should find a pair of plugins on the front of the right hand cabnent as you are standing in front of the mills down low to the right they have a rubber hood over them one of theis will go to RS232 on a external device PC ect. do you mave any manuals there is a diagram for wiring and the plug pinout the plug on the mill is a little hard to find but is avalable any PC with a DB9 com port and use hyperterm to comunicate it's in windows 2000 under accesorys then you can load program from a pc If the control is working sounds like you have enough spairs to at least get one running the board's are fragel so be carefull with them R&R and clean contacts with a pencile eraser I hope the barn was dry look's like the rest of the machine is in good condtion Good luck Kevin

Thanks Kevin, there are two plugs! I thought the rubber hood was a vent or something. They don't look like rs232 though. They are round. Isn't a rs232 look like a printer plug? kind of long?
I don't have any manuals yet.