Thread: HAFCO VM-1 Milling Machine

Can you please post some images of it ,might get a better idea of its condition and value.

Kev.

here are some photos

Hi alex_bauhaus. That's the same as my mill. You don't happen to have the manual for it do you?

Not sure if its the "manual" but I have the original Operating Instructions". Its a small black and white document of 10 pages with some line drawings in it.

The title is Vertical Milling Machine Operating Instructions Model: CC-VM-C . VO-AIS.

Alex

Have a look on ebay (australia). search on milling machine and/or mill drill.
there is usually something similar to what you have. Also have a look on the Hare & Forbes site www.machineryhouse.com.au. they probably still sell that machine (or something very close to it) new. That will give you an idea of new cost.
There are also a couple of Aussie used machinery sites on the net as well, though they are more geared towards industrial machines.
one is Machines4u - Australia's No.1 Online Machinery Market

hope this helps
regards
bollie7

Ive posted a scan of the original Hafco VM-1 manual for posterity.

Alex,
Minitech in Brisbane have similar looking units for sale to get an idea of prices. Alan.

http://wic043u.server-secure.com/vs4...ept.asp?id=136

I have one identical to this machine ,different colour (hammer tone grey ) ,not sure if it came from HAFCO originally but it was purchased new by a gunsmith around 1980 ,I acquired mine about a year ago from said gunsmith .
They are a great machine and I have added a power feed to mine and made some other mods to make it a bit easier to use .
They are direct copy of the Myford VM-1 milling machine or possibly even made for Myford in Taiwan .
I believe these machines have been out of production for some time and parts may not be readily available so that may affect what you will get for it. I've had no trouble with mine except for a sticking on off switch and I fixed that with some electrical spray lube.
Changing speed with the belt drive can be a pain in the backside , but I have learned to live with that.
I don't believe they came equipped with the power feed so that's a bonus to who ever buys it as mine took a bit of fiddling to get it to fit.Of course any tooling that goes with it will reflect a higher price.
I would have a look around at similar machines available and on Ebay to see what sellers are getting for similar .
One of these was sold on Ebay about 8 months ago and went for $1900.00 or there abouts.(No power feed or tooling )
Kev.