The original manufacturer of Rumag was a company called Roth & Muller GmbH Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik. Unfortunately, they ceased to exist in 2018 after the death of the last owner. The company's name in 2023 was now owned by a law firm, which could mean they are either looking for a successor or invloved in legal steps to close the business.
Manufactured in the South of Germany, in Esslingen/Neckar (a centre of machine-tool industry), Rumag millers were steadily developed over many decades and established a reputation for being reliable, accurate and long-lived machines. They were built to both standard and modified specifications and offered in four Series: 0, 1, 2 and 3. While the Series 0 were intended for training institutes, repair workshops and light production use, the other types were very much heavier and intended for series work in industry
Called by the factory "The Small Rumag", the range started with the type RF-0. Normally supplied on a heavy stand, fabricated from welded steel plate, this had a single T-slot table 300 or 400 mm long by 110 mm wide and was a simple, horizontal stub-arbor type that lacked an overarm (there was also no provision to mount a vertical head). It was intended for the most basic kind of general work - though more especially for setting up as production machines where a number of them, side by side, could be employed in the manufacture of small parts, in short-runs with each miller tooled and jigged for a single operation. Table feed on ordinary models was by hand only, with 140 mm of travel longitudinally when fitted with the 300 mm table and 240 mm with the 400 mm type. Cross and vertical travels were the same for both machines, at 70 and 140 mm respectively, with the availability of either screw or lever feed in any combination on any axis - or even a system that incorporated both, with a quick-release, half-circle feedscrew clasp-nut to facilitate a quick change from one to the other. Also available was the option of a special pneumatic-hydraulic drive (sold as the Model RF-0-PH) that could be configured for simple auto-cycle work with the ability to perform a rapid approach, then a slow rate for the feed cut followed by a rapid return.
Drive came from a 3-phase motor, flange mounted at the rear of the column that drove the spindle directly by a V-belt running over 3-step pulleys Various motor options were listed including lower (0.7 kW) and higher (1.1 kW) output versions, the latter for higher speed use - and with 2 and even 3-speed motors also available that could give up to 9 spindle speeds spanning 40 to 4000 r.p.m.  However, the makers advised that they were prepared to engineer in almost any speed range that a customer desired, even to the extent of incorporating a gearbox in the system. Hardened and ground, the spindle ran in a double row roller bearing on its nose and at the rear an angular-contact type - the arrangement allowing precise adjustment of free play..

Rumag Series 0
Types: REG, REVG and REG-S-VG-0
Largest of the Series 0 models, the horizontal REG, vertical REVG and combined horizontal and vertical ram-head REG-S-VG-0 were easy-to-operate, neatly designed machines with particularly clean lines. Each was available with a choice of two tables - the smaller 700 x 200 mm and the larger 800 x 220 mm with longitudinal travels of 400 and 500 mm respectively. Cross and vertical travels were identical across the range, the former at 150mm the latter at 325 mm or, optionally, 425 mm. The table power-feed motor was usually a 3-speed type (though single and two-speed versions were also available) that gave a very wide range of feeds: 16 to 500 mm per minute together with and rapids, these being at the same rate on all axes at 2000 mm/min.
As on the smaller models, a number of table-feed options were available: "S", "SE", "SKE" and "SEP". On the basic "S" System 9 automatic feeds disengaged by mechanical trip stops, the "SE" adding a high-speed return function with control by electrical push buttons. Intended for simple, repetitive production work, the 9-speed "SKE" had a lever-operated table quick-return, with an automatic re-engagement of the feed when the lever activated a trip cam at the end of its travel. Similar in function to the "SE", the "SEP" was equipped with program control of the table's movement - though this was of the very simple kind that gave a rapid approach followed by a slow feed for the cut and a return at high speed.
If automatic cycle feeds were required, Rumag offered the "435" conversion, a system could be fitted to both the horizontal and vertical model. A stepless DC drive was employed and could be diverted to each of the three axes by an electrically controlled clutch operated by push-button control.
Fitted with a 30 INT taper (or, optionally, a No. 3 Morse) both horizontal and vertical spindles were driven by the usual wide choice of motors: a 700 r.p.m. version gave six speeds from 71 to 710 r.p.m.; a 1400 r.p.m. unit (the most commonly fitted) produced 140 to 1400 r.p.m. while the 2800 r.p.m. example gave 280 to 2800 r.p.m. Two versions of a 2-speed motor were also listed: one, running at 450/1400 r.pm. produced spindle speeds of 45 to 1400 r.p.m. and the other, running at 450 and 2800 r.p.m. motor, gave a range from 45 to 2800 r.p.m. Motors were mounted within the main column and drove the spindle directly by 3 V-belts on higher speeds and through a simple reduction gearbox (resembling a lathe backgear) on the lower. The ram head on the REG-S-VG was given the designation VG and had 9 speeds of 80,160, 250, 320,500, 700, 1000, 1400 and 2800 r.p.m. - all driven by a motor flange mounted the rear. Like other Rumag ram models the quill was fixed, though the end could be rotated through 360°.
On the vertical-only model, the REVG-S, the head was clamped to the face of the main column by four bolts (it could be rotated through 90° in each direction from vertical) and took its drive from a horizontal spindle - fine-lapped, spiral-toothed Klingeinberg-Palloid bevel gears turning the drive through 90°. With 75 mm of travel, the quill could be operated by either a capstan handwheel for a quick drilling feed, or by a full-circle handwheel and worm-and-wheel gearing for fine feeds..

Rumag Series 0
Types RF-1 and RE-1
Rather larger and of more general use were the next models in the range, the Types RF-1 and RE-1 - both identical, save for the table fitted, that on the RF being 450 x 150 mm and on the RE 650 x 180 mm. Popular machines (by the mid 1970s over 6000 had been sold) they were intended for general machine-shop and production work and also proved highly suitable for installation in technical training institutes. Drive came from a motor held within the stand via an intermediate countershaft supported in an eccentric housing that allowed an easy slackening of the V-belt's tension when a speed change was required. Again, as with most Rumag models, a number of different drive options were offered, from a simple 6-speed type to an 18-speed version with a 3-speed motor.
Table feed on ordinary models was by hand only, with 170 mm of travel longitudinally when fitted with the 450 mm table and 320 mm with the 650 mm version. Cross travel on the RF was120 mm, but, due to the table's increased width, reduced to 90 mm on the RE (the knee casting remaining unchanged). Vertical travel was the same for both models at 170 mm. As with the RF-0 types an endless number of combinations of lever, screw or combined lever and screw could be fitted to the three axes, so allowing the utmost flexibility in setting a machine up for a particular task. Also available was the option of an auto-cycle mechanism using a pneumatic-hydraulic drive, these versions being listed as the Models RF-1-PH and RF-1-RE and able to perform a rapid approach, a feed cut and then a rapid return.
Configuration and designation of table feeds on all Series 0 Models were listed as follows:
A= lever horizontal feed
B= screw horizontal feed
C= screw and lever horizontal feed
D = screw cross feed
E= lever cross feed
F= screw and lever cross feed
G= lever vertical feed
H= screw vertical feed
I = screw and lever vertical feed
Rumag Series 0: Models RF-415 and RFV-415
Altogether heavier and more massively constructed, the RF-415 (horizontal) and RFV-415 (vertical) Series of Rumag millers could be configured in a number of interesting ways. However, a basic machine underpinned them all, with the main motor held within the cabinet stand driving to an intermediate countershaft by three V-belts - with a single final belt to the spindle running over a 4-step V-pulley. Electrical switchgear was contained within a cabinet booted to the machine's right-hand side, a thoughtful touch being to cover the top with a sheet of ribbed rubber matting to allows tools and cutters, etc., to be placed out of harm's way.
Hardened and ground, the spindle ran in specially selected, high-accuracy double-row roller bearings of the NN type, the assembly being adjustable to remove play. With a 2-speed motor the eight spindle speeds ran from 71 r.p.m. through 140, 200, 280, 400, 560, 800, 1120 to 2240 r.p.m. With a 3-speed motor some 24 speeds were available that spanned a very useful 100 to 4500 r.p.m. - though, as the drive was direct on all speeds and not though any form of reduction gearing to help eliminate belt slip (as on many Tom Senior machines for example), the torque available at low speeds must have been insufficient to make any real use of wide slab cutters.
Three tables were available: 450 x 150 mm with just a single, central T slots and travels of 250 mm longitudinally, 140 mm across and 350 mm vertically, Next was a 650 x 180 mm with three T-slots on 50 mm spacing and travels of 320 mm longitudinally, 110 mm across and 350 mm vertically. Largest of all was a 700 x 200 mm unit, again with three T slots (but this time on 45 mm spacing) and with travels of 400, 110 and 325 mm for longitudinal, across and vertical respectively. As on the Company's smaller machines each table-feed axis could be driven by a handwheel, a quick-action lever or even, at extra cost, fitted with both systems. Although the two smaller tables were limited to feed by hand only, the largest could be fitted with power feed, with four different types of operation: "S", "SE", "SKE" and "SEP". On the "S" the drive came from a 3-speed (700, 950 and 1400 r.p.m.) motor flange mounted against the rear of a gearbox itself fastened to the right-hand face of the miller's main column. Connection from gearbox to knee was by the usual type of universally jointed and splined shaft, the system producing (on all versions) nine feed rates of 16, 22, 32, 63, 90, 125, 250, 350 and 500 mm per minute. On the basic system (as used on the "S"), disengagement was by mechanical trip stops, the "SE" adding a high-speed return function with control by electrical push buttons. Intended for simple, repetitive production work, the "SKE" had a lever-operated table quick-return, with an automatic re-engagement of the feed when the lever activated a trip cam at the end of its travel. Similar in function to the "SE", the "SEP" was equipped with program control of the table's movement - though this was of the very simple kind that gave a rapid approach followed by a slow feed for the cut and a return at high speed.
Limited in its usefulness by the absence of a quill feed on the head, the standard vertical miller was given the model designation RFV-415 (though as an alternative the customer could choose instead the horizontal model and specify the fitting of a Type VK self-motorised, high-speed vertical head. This had a lever-action, 75 mm travel quill and 6 speeds of 1000, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3150 and 5000 r.p.m. - or optionally, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 r.p.m. - and was thus able to tackle a wide range of jobs from fly-cutting to the use of small milling cutters and co-ordinate drilling. Another option was the VG-O self-contained ram head, a unit introduced in the mid 1970s, that had a motor flange mounted against its rear face connected to an enclosed, oil-bath gearbox - the whole unit also serving as a replacement overarm for horizontal work. Unfortunately, although the head could be swivelled through 90° each side of vertical, and had nine speeds of 80, 160, 250, 320, 500, 700, 1000, 1400 and 2800 r.p.m., the quill on this, the smallest version of the VK type, was fixed..

Rumag Series 1
Types: REE-1, RU-1, REEV-1, RU-1-VG and REE-1-VG
Built in five versions - the horizontal REE-1, universal RU-1, vertical REEV-1, ram-head vertical/horizontal REE-VG and ram-head horizontal-vertical-universal RU-1-VG - Rumag Series 1 millers were, in reality, just one basic type suitably modified in specification for a particular application. This approach allowed the fitting of many common parts and hence economy of production and wide interchangeably of accessories.
Both horizontal and vertical spindles could be ordered with ISA 30 or 40 fittings or even a No. 3 or No. 4 Morse. Two drive options were offered, "A" and "B", The "A" system used a 3 (optionally 4) kW motor driving a 6-speed column-mounted gearbox that in turn connected to a high-low range box. The final drive gear of the second box was on the spindle itself (and of large diameter and weight to provide a flywheel effect) and positioned immediately behind the front double-row, high precision cylindrical roller bearing. Fitted with a 1400 r.p.m. motor speeds spanned 36 to 1400 r.p.m. and with the optional 2800 r.p.m. unit from 71 to 2800 r.p.m. Electrical switchgear and controls - for spindle and table drives - were neatly contained in a separate box to the right-hand side of the knee.
Less expensive, the "B" drive employed a 2-speed 1400/2800 r.p.m. motor with a 3-step V-pulley on its spindle driving to the same high-low range box used on the "A" drive. Thus equipped this machine had 24 speeds from 36 to 2800 r.p.m. As ever, Rumag were happy to oblige their customers and could also supply, at extra cost, the "A" drive with a 2-speed motor to give the same twenty-four speeds.
On the vertical miller the same drive system was used but with the drive to the swivelling head (clamped in place with four bolts) turned through 90° by fine-lapped, spiral-toothed Klingeinberg-Palloid bevel gears. On both types twelve speeds were provided ranging from 25 to 1000 r.p.m. with a 1400 r.p.m. motor and twice as fast with the 2800 r.p.m. option. The independently powered ram-head was fitted with a 3-speed 700/1400/2800 r.pm. motor and had nine speeds from 80 to 2800 r.p.m. All gears and shafts in the drive systems were manufactured from high-quality materials, hardened and ground and ran in precision roller races. Simple but reliable oil bath lubrication was provided with inspection windows to check the level.
As an accessory for the horizontal models the Type VK self-motorised, high-speed vertical head was offered. This had a lever-action, 75 mm travel quill and six speeds of 1000, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3150 and 5000 r.p.m. (or optionally, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 r.p.m.), and was thus able to tackle a wide range of jobs from fly-cutting to the use of small milling cutters and co-ordinate drilling.
Each model was available with a choice of three 250 mm wide tables - 800, 1000 or 1250 mm (all with three 16 mm wide T slots on 50 mm spacing) with longitudinal travels of, respectively, 500, 700 and 800 mm by hand or under power. However, if the handles were removed each travel was increased by 100 mm. Cross travel, at 205 mm, was the same on all models, as was vertical (at 500 mm) on all but the REEV-1 vertical (where it was reduced to 460 mm). Power feeds in all directions were driven by a variable-speed, externally mounted DC motor that gave rates from 20 to 2000 mm/min - the fastest of which also doubled as a "rapid". For safety, the table and knee handwheels were arranged to disengage automatically when power feeds were engaged. Control of feed rate was by a dial with selection of direction by push-buttons and stop by either hand or adjustable trip dogs.
As an option, a simple form of programme control was offered; similar to that fitted to the smaller Rumag machines this gave a rapid forward motion, the appropriate feed rate and a rapid return. Start could be from the left or the right - and it was possible to include in the system a number of automatic, power-driven rotary tables and dividing heads..

Type VK self-motorised, high-speed vertical head with a lever-action, 75 mm travel quill and six speeds of 1000, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3150 and 5000 r.p.m. or, optionally, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 r.p.m.