Photo Index - AB. Arboga Mekaniska Verkstad - Geared Head Mill/Drill

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
AB. Arboga Mekaniska Verkstad
Arboga

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Mill, Vertical
Machine Size:	18" swing
Submitted By:	Bob Aquino

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Geared Head Mill/Drill
Date of Manufacturer:	1969
Serial Number:	136161
Last Updated	4/27/2026 8:18:54 AM

Comments:

I picked this machine up a while ago, June 2011 to be more specific. At the time I was wanting to get into a bit more metalworking and this seemed to be an interesting project. I traveled out a bit toward the western part of VA but it's been so long I dont exactly remember where. It's a 3 phase machine and the time the guy selling it has some seriously funky thing to try and provide the power to it. I brought it home in the back of the truck and got it set up and running with a VFD mounted on the side.

What impressed me the most about it was the sheer weight of the thing and the precision of how well the parts all fit together. It used phenolic gears along with metal in the head for what I understand were two reasons. First was sound, the machine was pretty quiet running. The second was that they were supposed to be the weakest part and would be sacrificed if the bit were to jam. That of course presupposes that you can get replacements for them. Obviously that wouldn't work out today. The motor was integral to the head. The base was cast iron. For such as small machine (for a mill) it weighed in over 800 lbs. It wasn't easy to move around.

The machine worked very smoothly and you had a good range of speeds with both gear levers. It used macro and micro adjustments for spindle height depending on whether you pulled the knob out or pushed it in. It was a MT3 spindle and IIRC, the ability to lock down a variety of mills was limited since it did not use standard collets. After keeping it a few years I moved it along to make room for more woodworking equipment.

Photo 1:

Comments: The machine put back together in my shop
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Photo 2:

Comments: With the VFD mounted and a vise
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Photo 3:

Comments: Machine plate with gear selectors
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Photo 4:

Comments: Putting it back together out of the truck
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Photo 5:

Comments: The gears exposed, rear shaft is from the motor, front is to the spindle
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Photo 6:

Comments: Integral 3 phase motor and lower end of the spindle
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