Zimmermann FZ-5

[Chris Hall]

Oh, whoops. that second machine was an FZ-4, not an FZ-5. My bad.

Here is the Zimmerman pattern maker milling machine line up...

The FZ-0:

FZ-0.jpg (91.58 KiB) Viewed 7357 times

Same type, without stand, but with X-Y table:

FZ-0b.jpg (70.76 KiB) Viewed 7357 times

FZ-1:

FZ-1.jpg (79.86 KiB) Viewed 7357 times

FZ-1b.jpg (175.22 KiB) Viewed 7357 times

There doesn't seem to be an FZ-2, so let's move along...

FZ-3:

FZ-3.jpg (124.85 KiB) Viewed 7357 times

Looks like it is set up for cutting Styrofoam. Loads of 'Z' travel.

FZ-4:

FZ-4.jpg (103.96 KiB) Viewed 7357 times

And FZ-5V, this one without the added high speed head:

FZ-5V.jpg (205.42 KiB) Viewed 7357 times

[Chris Pyle]

What is the quill travel on the FZ-0 and FZ-1? I know so very little about these types of machines, just curious on how you process the wood with these.

[jbreau]

you could run that motor off of a vfd, could you not?
jbreau

[Chris Hall]

I imagine so.

[Chris Hall]

I made an offer on the Zimmermann FZ-5V today:

%24_57.JPG (238.75 KiB) Viewed 7313 times

The shipping to Boston is only about 1000€, which seems quite reasonable. I'll let y'all know if they accept my offer.

[Brian]

Hope it goes well, that looks like one hell of an awesome machine.

[Chris Hall]

Thanks Brian. I've been staring at this machine for months. Recently I sold my truck so there is a little extra money in the kitty, and machine purchases are helpful in offsetting my income taxes, so, it wasn't a hard sell to my wife. Another plus is that due to the age of the machine (built in 1971) there are no electronics so I should be able to swap the motors out from 380v. 50hz. to 208v. 60hz. Saves buying a transformer and load center.

I can think of LOTS of things to do with a machine like the the FZ-5V! It would eliminate the need for a number of jigs.

[Chris Pyle]

They wouldn't want to throw in an extra FZ-1 or FZ-2 into the crate would they?

I hope you get it Chris, I'm interested in seeing how you use it.

[Brian]

Sorry to hear that the truck went, but you'll likely enjoy this more! I used to use my father's bridgeport mill for woodworking operations and it's quite helpful in many instances to be able to clamp the work to a moving bed. The bridgeport spins slowly for router bits, but at an 'aluminum' speed setting it was workable.

Looks like it works with t-nut and stud kits to hold work and/or fixtures?

[Chris Hall]

Yep, I think the regular sort of machinist T-nut hold downs should work fine.

I have long considered a Bridgeport or similar, however the slow speed was the hitch in that area. This Zimmermann has a separate rear head which spins at 14,000 rpm, so that problem is pretty much solved. Also, as this is a pattern maker's milling machine designed for wood, it accepts taller and wider material with relative ease than would a machine designed for metal. While working big chunks of steel is out of the question, it should be able to handle bronze and aluminum, especially taking lighter passes.