I recently had a VHF-3 follow me home for essentially scrap value and have been working on bringing it back to life. It is SN 3967 for reference. In that effort I have come across a few things that I could not find in any searches. These may be useful to others down the road so I wanted to put that in a post. Overall it is in very good shape with a few issues I have been working on. I was able to check the table and square it to the spindle and tram my vise nicely. There is a slight amount of lash in the spindle through the drivetrain and a slight amount of lash in the X-axis with Y and Z being very tight.
First a compulsory picture.
![Click image for larger version.
Name: IMG_1511.jpg
Views: 8
Size: 91.5 KB
ID: 309824]()
First the drive belt for the feed system was missing. The gearbox worked when spun by hand with no issues. In discussing with the Abene team now vemu.se, they gave me the specifications on the belts. I have attached the list of belts they gave me for others to reference. Since my mill uses a flat belt I found a serpentine belt that had similar specifications and installed it successfully. The belt I used was a Dayco 5070405 and there was plenty of adjustment in the motor mount to tighten. It has been working without issue for 10-20 hours of operation to date with no slipping or moving around detected.
![Click image for larger version.
Name: Abene Belt Info.jpg
Views: 8
Size: 13.5 KB
ID: 309825]()
The second Issue I had was leaking from the spindle gearbox selectors. For this Vemu sent me the specifications on the o-ring sizes used. Those are also attached.
![Click image for larger version.
Name: Abene Orings.jpg
Views: 8
Size: 14.0 KB
ID: 309826]()
I also had to install VFD's for both the spindle and a the feed system due to my lack of incoming power (off-grid). I could not handle the spindle startup using a rotary phase converter. All buttons function as intended by tying the VFD's into the existing wiring on the unit.
Overall been very happy with the mill and hope others searching the internet in the future can use the info I found thus far. Vemu.se have been very responsive and helpful in finding info for me especially considering the age of these mills.
-Mark
First a compulsory picture.
First the drive belt for the feed system was missing. The gearbox worked when spun by hand with no issues. In discussing with the Abene team now vemu.se, they gave me the specifications on the belts. I have attached the list of belts they gave me for others to reference. Since my mill uses a flat belt I found a serpentine belt that had similar specifications and installed it successfully. The belt I used was a Dayco 5070405 and there was plenty of adjustment in the motor mount to tighten. It has been working without issue for 10-20 hours of operation to date with no slipping or moving around detected.
The second Issue I had was leaking from the spindle gearbox selectors. For this Vemu sent me the specifications on the o-ring sizes used. Those are also attached.
I also had to install VFD's for both the spindle and a the feed system due to my lack of incoming power (off-grid). I could not handle the spindle startup using a rotary phase converter. All buttons function as intended by tying the VFD's into the existing wiring on the unit.
Overall been very happy with the mill and hope others searching the internet in the future can use the info I found thus far. Vemu.se have been very responsive and helpful in finding info for me especially considering the age of these mills.
-Mark