Aciera F Series precision milling machines were eventually to be built in several versions: the first, in 1943, was the tiny, super-accurate F12; this was followed in the late 1940s by the long-lived and very popular F1 and (rare) F2 - with both designed for clock, watch and instrument work. Larger machines were the more general-purpose F3, F4 and F5 models. In addition, by the early 1970s, a limited number of production variants were also being manufactured designated F1N, F1h, F1NC, F3EC and F5NC.
Manufactured in two models, early and lathe, with the older easily recognised by its rounded, 1950s styling and the later by its very angular appearance, the F3 was intended to compete with the Deckel FP1--and machines of a similar layout from a number of other European makers*. Fitted with variable speed drive by expanding and contacting pulleys the F3 (horizontal spindle speeds ran from 95 to 1500 r.p.m. on early models and up to 2000 r.p.m. on later versions) the F3 was beautifully made and every detail of its construction carefully considered. The miller was expensive and, in the late 1950s, one with a reasonable amount of equipment, a head or two and a selection of tables, was over £1000; an amount that would, at the time, have bought a reasonably good detached house in the north of England.
Able to mount a number of different heads - horizontal, standard vertical, high-speed vertical and slotting in combination with a variety of tables (plain, plain-tilting and compound swivelling) and other accessories the F3 could be set up in an astonishing variety of ways. All the heads were arranged to be driven backwards and forwards across the top of the main column by a handwheel working through reduction gearing, to provide an in-out feed. There was no fixed horizontal table, instead all fitting were bolted to a flat, vertical T-slotted knee equipped with variable-speed power longitudinal and vertical feeds. The table was driven by a 2-speed motor with control by a simple rotary dial coded blue and red for the high/low ranges. An additional lever control, tipped by a red ball, selected forwards, neutral and reverse.
By juggling the choice of heads and tables, and utilising the many other accessories available, a skilled technician was seldom defeated in his attempts to produce the most complex of milled and drilled components - and all to a very high standard of accuracy.
*Proof of the type's success - the genus Precision Universal Milling Machine - is evident from the number of similar machines made in various countries including:
Austria: Emco Model F3
Belgium: S.A.B.C.A. Model JRC-2
Czechoslovakia: TOS Model FN22, 32 & 40 Optic
Spain: Metba Models MB-0, MB-1, MB-2, MB-3 and MB-4)
England: Alexander "Master Toolmaker" and the Ajax "00", an import of uncertain origin.
France (?): Perron Montier
Germany: by several companies including: Macmon Models M-100 & M-200 (though these were actually manufactured by Prvomajska); Maho (many models over several decades); Thiel Models 58, 158 and 159; Hermle Models UWF-700 and UWF-700-PH; Rumag Models RW-416 and RW-416-VG; SHW (Schwabische Huttenwerke) Models UF1, UF2 and UF3; Hahn & Kolb with their pre-WW2 Variomat model and Wemas with their Type WMS.
Italy: C.B.Ferrari Models M1R & M2R; Bandini Model FA-1/CB and badged as Fragola (agents, with a version of the Spanish Meteba).
Japan: Riken Models RTM2 and RTM3
Poland: Fabryka Obrabiarek Precyzyinych as the "Avia"£ and "Polamco" Models FNC25, FND-25 and FND-32
Russia: as the "Stankoimport" 676
Switzerland: Aciera Models F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5; Schaublin Model 13; Mikron Models WF2/3S, WF3S, WF-3-DCM & WF-2/3-DCM; Christen Types U-O and U-1 and Hispano-Suiza S.A. Model HSS-143.
The former Yugoslavia: Prvomajska (in Zagreb with Models ALG-100 and ALG200); Sinn Models MS2D & MS4D; Ruhla and "Comet" Model X8130, imported to the UK in the 1970s by TI Comet.
At least five Chinese versions have also been made, including one from the Beijing Instrument Machine Tool Works. A number of the "clones" merely followed the general Thiel/Maho/Deckel concept whilst others, like Bandini and Christen, borrowed heavily from Deckel and even had parts that were interchangeable. Should you come across any of these makes and models all will provide "The Deckel Experience" - though you must bear in mind that spares are unlikely to be available and, being complex, finely-made mechanisms, they can be difficult and expensive to repair..