Machine tool, what is it?

[ChiScouter]

I bought some stuff from a guy, he is looking to sell this. Whatever info you can give regarding what it is called, what it does, and approx value would be appreciated

[cabletech]

Got me curious, so I looked. I hadn't seen one of those before (not that it means much :) ).

It's an Ex-Cell-O Center Lapper / Center Lap Grinder, it looks like. Model 74 maybe? How it's used, I don't know. There are a few newer models on ebay right now, anywhere from $1k-$4k, though they look in 'prettier' shape than that one.

Would be interesting to find out how it works. Looks like it has a drawbar in the top, so does it use collets? And other lappers have the piece to the left of the spindle pointing directly at the spindle.

Looks to me like one of those tools that's only worth something if you know what it is / how to use it. To me it'd be worthless, lol.

[A2ZUK]

Guys think of it as a machine to repair a center in the end of a small shaft. Most shaft manufactuerers use a Rohm driver (which is a solid center with a bunch of carbide teeth) in one end and a live center in the other end. They get messed up sometimes. Because the shaft center will have to be put back for grind operations they sometimes have to repair. On larger shafts the use a machine called a Hey machine which mills the ends square and centerdrills. very specialized equipment. Hope this helps.

[Davethorik]

We have a similar machine at work that is used exclusively by the manual OD/ID grinder guy who runs 2 Kellenberger grinders. He uses a conical bit that fits into the top of the machine where that countersink is in that one. The conical bit (sorry for the highly technical terminology here) holds center laps, which are made of emery cloth. He uses it to clean up the turning centers in cylindrical parts so they will run truer on the grinder.