I'm Considering a Centurion 1

[TZ250]

Guys, I've found a Milltronics Centurion 1 on a Seiki 4VS for sale. I'm not familiar with Milltronics, but it looks easy to use. The machine has box ways and is in great shape. It is a 1998 model.

What problems are common with these? Are they reliable?

Also, it has a floppy drive and a RS232 port. How could I convert it to use USB flash drive?


Thanks in advance.
Rob
Ohio

[moldcore]

Is it this one?


http://cgi.ebay.com/SEIKI-4VS-3-Axis...QQcmdZViewItem


Edit: deleted comments

[TZ250]

Yes. What do you know about it?

[One of Many]

This looks like a decent deal on the surface. The head is the weakest link IMHO. These are light duty mills, but fit the tooling and R&D perfectly. OK for light production. A local pickup would make it even better.

I would inquire the seller and Milltronics as to its origins. If it was retrofit direct from Milltronics, they should support it. If there is no S/N that they can reference, it may be tough if not impossible to get control parts or direct support.

DC

[TZ250]

Milltronics did make it. You're right, they do support it. It is a Centurion 6, not a Cen.1 as I stated.

These are light duty mills, but fit the tooling and R&D perfectly. OK for light production.

I agree. Fortunately, I'm only concerned with running aluminum.

A friend has one in his toolshop. He's used his for 45 hours per week for eight years. He's had only one problem, the screen needed to be replaced.

[msomerville]

I have 4 milltronics VMCs. 3 of them have a "new" computer monitor. I don't know if this is a standard for these machines or not.

[Ben Colby]

They want too much money for the machine. A 30 taper isn't much better
than a R-8 spindle taper.

[Ben Colby]

I'm on my second monitor and it's starting to have problems. I can't say why
but the Milltronics CRT's fail. I have the exact same CRT on my Brother Mill
and it keeps going and going, never flickers or zits.

[One of Many]

We have 7 Milltronics and I'll bet I have replaced most of the monitors at least once in the last couple years. We have 5 of the above posted version and 2 of the Partner VMC's. I have always been suspicious there is too much heat buildup in the monitor cabinet. Honeslty though, the screens replaced were around 6years old running 2-3 shifts. I think the lone B/W left is going on 11 or 12 years now still kicking along.

When we upgraded the office PC's 14" monitors several years ago. I saved several for backups on the Milltronics. Ripped the cases off of them and rigged them to fit up nicely. Most of the originals were B/W so switching to color was a bonus. It has beed a couple more years now without much monitor issues.

I am suprised to hear that Milltronics would put their control on iron without the Milltronics logo. Probably the same iron anyways. I am not sure what the gain would be in the Centruion 6 on these machines. Other than current sources for replacement parts. These may also be able to utilize a VFD for programmable spindle speeds. Other than that, I figure they wouldn't be that much different than a Centurion I or II in daily use.

So, I take it the Ebay link was not the specific machine you have your eye on? The seller did end it early!

I hope to have a VK3 in my home shop by October-November. It is in the works and as the saying goes "a done deal".......unless something changes unforeseen between now and then. I may have a hard time letting go of my EZ-Trak, but the VK has so much more to offer.

I wonder if the wife would let me keep both for fun stuff R&R. After all, twice the fun, right?

REALITY CHECK!

DC

[moldcore]

We still have a 10 year old Partner 1 Centurion 5 with the original monitor. Our VM 24 has an LCD Monitor with a Centurion 6 that still looks like new. I'll take the Centurion 6 over the Centurion 5 any day. The 6 is much, much faster, especially doing 3D.

Sounds like the ebay item was bought by TZ250?

If all you're going to cut is aluminum, then I wouldn't be looking at a knee mills. Get something that is enclosed with flood coolant and high RPM. Our old Partner 1 is small and enclosed with 6,000 RPM and it's not fast enough. I know coolant is a pain, but can't imagine cutting without it. Been there, done that, never again. Carbide + Coolant on aluminum and you'll never (well almost never) have to buy cutters again.