A Diamond in the rough

Well, since there are several funky non-car things going on in the build thread section, I figure I'll add mine. Maybe you guys can keep me motivated to bring it back to life .

Picked up this Diamond Tool Co. Milling machine for free on Craigslist last spring. Unfortunately, I missed the metal bandsaw and shop made chopsaw that also went for free . I finally made it out to the place with 4 friends and an engine hoist. It took us about 3 hours to move it maybe 200 feet. Even partially disassembled the thing has to weigh 700 pounds. Obviously in rough shape, and whoever took the first two machines took a few things with him from this one. On to a few pictures.

Sorry for the selfie, but this thing is big:

The thing draws 18 amps if wired for 115, if you can't read the plaque!

How we moved it. This got us a short way, but then we hit mud, a sidewalk too narrow for the hoist, and a hill. Berkeley that was hard to get around. As soon as we got it loaded into the truck, the engine hoist oil seal popped out, too. Good timing for us!

I haven't done a whole lot with it since then. I started disassembling the table/way piece yesterday. It needs new rods threaded or the current ones cleaned up so I'll probably get started on that. The next step for me is to get the motor tested/ wired to run on 230, so if anybody knows an Atlanta area Electric motor repair shop worth its salt, let me know. After that, look for a vertical head so I don't have to use it as the Horizontal mill it was intended to be. I've found one so far, but it's in Arkansas and freight would just about kill me.

From what I've found, Diamond Tool Co. wasn't around very long, but started out in the 40's-50's. Looking forward (kind of) to tearing into it some more. Doug

Neat project! I'm going out on a limb here, but I'd bet that the vertical head in Arkansas is the closest/only one you'll ever find.

Old equipment rules- I've restored a few old machines myself and love working them for their intended purpose. You'll be amazed how many great old-timers you meet that will talk you ear off for hours when they hear you're working on something old. I had a guy spot my Atlas Shaper when I hosted a garage sale a few weeks back, and I learned more about running that thing from a few casual comments he made than I had after months of using it on my own and learning the hard way.

You're probably right. It was from a different machine but other people had transplanted it and made it work in the past. Just need to start making some money this semester!

I get a little bit of that with my truck, but I look forward to meeting a new crowd with the machinery bunch. And that's awesome to hear! Very special to catch little comments like that. It's hard to find/ask people for the types of advice that comes from that.

Very cool

Welcome to the vintage tool club.

My particular kink is late 50s craftsman and delta.

Currently hunting a correct vintage jointer, metal lathe, and bench grinder.

Looking forward to the resto. Garage journal and vintage machinery.org will be very good resources for you. Id add old wood working machines forum, but don't know if you would get any hits on the metal working mill.