Looking for face / drill / tap machine

[seco]

This is a strange one, but I feel I've pretty much exhausted any other source I can think of.

A year or so ago I saw a old (1960s - 1970s) machine in a used machinery guide (don't remember which one) that I thought was pretty innovative concerning double-end work on shafts. At the time I did not need anything like that, I just remember it because it seemed unusual. I guess you could say it was somewhat similar to typical double ended face and centering machines. Now, of course, I need exactly this machine but cannot find it anywhere. I cannot for the life of me remember the name, but I do not believe it was a custom built machine.

What I do remember was that it had 8 drill and tap heads, 4 on the left and 4 on the right facing one another. I believe the ones on the left were fixed and the right travelled to adjust for length. I assume that the drill heads could be setup to perform any operation (chamfer, face/center, drill, tap, etc). There was some sort of self-centering vise system (traveling beam?) that moved a shaft from one set of drill/tap heads to the next. In this way it appeared to be somewhat automatic. I believe the completed shaft was discharged at the back of the machine where some sort of ramp underneath returned the shaft to the front load/unload area. What really caught my eye was how simple this machine appeared to be for what can be a somewhat cumbersome job.

I know this is sketchy, but if anyone knows of a machine like this or a manufacturer that may have built machines like this I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

Steve

[holbieone]

sounds like some kind of screw machine

maybe a davenport

[seco]

Thanks for the reply, but I don't believe it was any kind of screw machine. The shafts we pre-cut, not bar length, and the drill tap heads were small, maybe 3 hp. It was essentially some sort of fancy horizontal drill system, but it wasn't rotary.

[jackson]

We had an old lathe somthing like at a place i use to work, we repaired propeller shafts for tug boats it had a chuck on each side of the head 2 tailstocks and 2 work centers and now i cant remember the name"stupid memory" try J&L machines, Cluasing"dont bank on my spelling" and older manuals... does that sound in the ball park of what you are looking for?

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Sounds to me like a "Facing-Centering Machine". Brand names Hey, Giddings & Lewis and Seneca Falls. Seneca Falls also made/makes a Center Drive lathe.

[Jarwalcot]

Hey Double End Facing & Centering Machine
Age 1972
Model: 3 Automatic

Maximum Diameter Capacity ............. 6.25"
Minimum Diameter Capacity ............. .25"
Maximum Work Lenght ................... 51"
Minimum Length of Work in Two Vices ... 3"
Minimum Length of Work in One Vice .... .75"
Maximum Diameter Over Bed ............. 21"
Maximum Dia. Facing w/Standard Cutters 5.12"
Standard Speed Ranges: 210, 300, 445, 650, 980 RPM
Standard Feed Stroke: ................. 1.5" to 2.5"
Standard Feed Ranges .001, .0015, .002, .0035 IPR

EQUIPPED WITH:
Dual Opposed 10 HP Facing & Centering Drilling Heads
Mechanical Feed with (8) Feed Rates
Self Centering Vices w/Adjustable Gripping Pressure
Dual Air Operated Shaft Clamping Fixtures

Approximate Weight: 5,000 Lbs
Dimensions: 45" F-B x 110" L x 70" High