Help with Nichols mill

[afwalker]

Picked up a Nichols mill on ebay and it looks like the handle for the elevating screw for the knee was backed into by a forklift because it's broken off right at the handle:
8473917884_a188c7fe31_m.jpg
The manual says to remove the Z axis screw and the elevating screw raise the knee:
8472832203_7e73a334b7_m.jpg

Anyone with this mill know how to get the screw out of there in this condition?
All help appreciated
cheers
andy walker

[JimFrain]

have you checked in with this group?

Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web

There may be some folks that can help you there

[afwalker]

Yes I'll post there next. I searched their archives and didn't see anything on this problem.
I bet there's a couple Nichols owners here was my hope.
cheers
andy walker

[afwalker]

I think it's worse than I first thought. The Y axis is not moving because the handle is bent:
8475324978_a7aa3e7306_m.jpg
and my theory that someone backed a forklift into it might work as the drain pan also is smashed:
8474236555_9cce2b2dcf_m.jpg
Practical machinist won't let me post yet, so If anyone can offer suggestions...
I think I can raise the knee by using a pipe wrench on the z screw, but that will mess it up probably, but then I can get the knee off, maybe the elevating screw out, maybe the y-axis screw out, then what? I think it's fixable, and the good news is the x-axis works fine!
8474240277_5ac3920474_m.jpg
cheers
andy walker

[Jamie Medeiros]

It is sad to see how mistreated the Nichols is. I don't think I have ever seen a complete Nichols. They all seem to have been modified for a single task and all the non essential parts stripped from them. I have a few and they are perfect little manual bike making mills.
For parts, rumor has it you can get them from Nichols Mills « Chas G Allen.

[afwalker]

Thanks for the help. Bert from sales at Chas G Allen lined me up with a big manual on the mill, and we're working on the serial number to see about parts.
Learned how to get the knee off without a pipe wrench:)
May have found a replacement knee elevating screw if the model is right.
And I got a partial refund from the seller through ebay, so that helps!
cheers
andy walker

[afwalker]

Here's a big thanks to this community, started looking for another Nichols mill since mine may never be fully healed, should do some slotting though. Went to Metal Guru's custom Tig welding class and mentioned this to Carl. He found Sam near where I live was selling several, so I'm the proud new owner of some solid cast iron!
8686695825_b2c157379f_m.jpg
8686696675_aa2587eed2_m.jpg
Thanks Sam for the help loading, made it back intact.
cheers
andy