Looking for an older CNC mill to refurbish/retrofit

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30 Sep 2026 17:58 #350013 by NoSmoke
I'm starting a search for an older CNC vertical/knee mill for my home shop and thought I'd introduce myself and ask for advice before buying something.

I'm currently looking at an older Wells-Index CNC mill, but I'm not committed to a particular machine yet.

My objective isn't to gut an old machine and replace everything. I would like to retain the original mechanical and electrical hardware where practical—including DC servos, feedback devices and possibly the servo drives/amps. The obsolete CNC control is another matter, it's a 70s vintage Bosch and going in the dumpster (or I might make it into a coffee table ;).  Thinking about LinuxCNC/Mesa.

Typical work will include aircraft instrument panels and other aluminum parts, but I also want a real mill capable of occasional work in steel.

I'm comfortable with electrical/electronic troubleshooting, software configuration, and I can spell Linux. My main concern is driving the old servo amps and are they serviceable and/or repairable.  I think the old brushed servo motors are OK. 

I'd appreciate advice from people who have restored or retrofitted older industrial CNC mills: What machines from this era are worth saving, and what should I inspect before buying?

Thanks in advance

 

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30 Sep 2026 22:41 #350019 by tommylight
Usually, Maho and Hurco are very good and easy to retrofit, personally i would go for Hurco BMC-20/30/40 depending on how big you need.
I am leaning towards Hurco as i did a 20 a while back, and it was very easy to use the toolchangers existing control board and wire it to Mesa, has no gearbox, and from my reading here takes much less overall effort/time.

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01 Oct 2026 00:00 #350022 by Mikel
Aircraft Instrument panels are larger than most knee mill tables.
Bridgeport Series II Interact have larger tables. Older Series II units have steppers.

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