The object of this article is not necessarily about how to build a vertical head attachment for a Centec 2 horizontal milling machine but more about how I went through the process of trying and rejecting a number of ideas from a ridiculous no hoper to something that works. It was also an exercise in using up odd bits of materials and components that were accumulated during my 40 years as a self-employed engineer. The finished project is shown in photo 1. It looks a bit Heath Robinson-ish but as I said it was made from whatever material and components that were available rather than buying anything new.While I was machining a deep pocket in a block of Aluminium for a project I'm working on I realised my back and neck were beginning to ache. The problem was having to bend sideways to look into the recess I was milling. What I needed was a vertical milling machine so that I could look straight down into any work I was doing, but the lack of disposable funds and lack of space in my workshop dictated that this was not a viable proposition. I then got to wonderingif it would be possible to make a vertical attachment to bolt on to the machine. I had a look around in my collection of odds and ends and found a small bench grinder, photo 2. I had the idea of bolting it to the end of the machines arbor support arm with a bracket made from a piece of angle iron, photo 3. After bolting it on I took onelook at it and thought, no that's never going to work.
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