School me on a Bridgeport.

[FishingMan]

Ive been thinking of getting a Bridgeport mill. I know i want a variable speed machine. I was told to get a J head . And try to get a machine with chrome ways. Im going used so i want to make sure i chose wisely. Im just a guy messing around in my garage. But i want a decent machine. Ideally it would have power feeds and a digital read out .but that won't be a deal breaker. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks guys

 

[dr_clyde]

Ok,

A variable speed head is actually called a 2J head. The J head is a step pulley head.

Look for a machine with minimal wear on the ways and lead screws. The head can be rebuilt pretty easily. You can feel wear with the amount of backlash on the handles. Less is better. Backlash is the amount of rotation a handwheel moves a screw without moving the table. You should see the table move with minimal rotation. .020" or so is a nice, tight machine.

How do you plan to power the machine? A rotary phase converter is a cheap way, and a VFD will allow you to use a step pulley machine as a variable speed machine.

 

[dr_clyde]

A good, tight machine with nice ways, a 2J head, DRO and all the bells and whistles can set you back several grand, so be prepared to spend 3-5k on just the machine. Tooling can easily run into the thousands by the time you get vises, collets, tee slot clamps, drill chucks, rotary tables, ect.

The more tooling you get with a machine the better.

 

[sreeb]

I wouldn't worry about chrome ways if the ways are currently in good condition. You aren't going to wear them out in your intended usage.

Power feeds won't be very important either.

A built in oiler for the ways is a plus and machines that have one are more likely to have good ways.

 

[FishingMan]

Thanks for the info guys. Now to find a machine that hasnt been beat to death

 

[OccupantRJ]

A good way to educate yourself is to go to Utube and search using the word Bridgeport. You will find as much as you can absorb. Watch videos on ways, gibs, backlash, variable speed drive, power feeds, vfds, dro, evaluating a machine, moving a machine etc. educate yourself first. It will pay off. For some more in-depth, check out Unknown Apprentice on scraping ways just to show how deep it can get. I have 4 Bridgeport’s in my shop right now awaiting attention. Resurrecting machines is my hobby. I was a repair/maintenance/protype machinist for 28 years before I retired, and I love me some machines. You will eventually also want a lathe.

 

[Maui]

Most of the used machines in my area have been beaten to death and sellers want top dollar for them. It took me over two years to finally find one that met my criteria. I hope you have an easier time finding yours.

 

[APEowner]

In a hobby situation I think that machine condition is more important than the features. As others have said tooling is expensive. I have around 10k in tooling and my mill and lathe combined cost less than 4k.

 

[larry_g]

Are you any kind of a machinist now? I ask because it sounds like your not. In my opinion I'd keep an eye out for some estate sale where a machine and a lot of tooling is available as a package and go for it. If you have any mill as something to learn on then you will learn what features and accuracy you need and can make judgement on the next tool you look at. Even a clapped out machine in the garage will teach you a lot. And most likely you will be able to sell it near the price you pay for it. All the tooling and cutters and other stuff needed to support a mill you will keep and not have to make that investment again.

Each of us has a different skill level, needs, degrees of precision, and personalities. So getting something and learning yours is necessary. You buying a machine that meets MY needs may be totally unsuitable for what you want to do. Can you list IN DETAIL what you expect to make on this machine?

When you say you want a Bridgeport, are you stuck on that brand or are you open to other brands of vertical knee mills?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Ign]

^^^^this

Lagun, Acer, Webb, Willis all viable candidates. Sharp, eh, be careful

I would just insist on an R8 spindle though, some of the oddball taper machines like B&S can be had cheap but I personally wouldn't want the headache.

 

[FishingMan]

I kind of want to stick with a brideport. Parts are everwhere. I have a small mill now. Im just making one off stuff for repairs and gun rests and parts for welding projects. A lathe is in the works. Thanks guys

 

[Perrorojo]

Are you any kind of a machinist now? I ask because it sounds like your not. In my opinion I'd keep an eye out for some estate sale where a machine and a lot of tooling is available as a package and go for it. If you have any mill as something to learn on then you will learn what features and accuracy you need and can make judgement on the next tool you look at. Even a clapped out machine in the garage will teach you a lot. And most likely you will be able to sell it near the price you pay for it. All the tooling and cutters and other stuff needed to support a mill you will keep and not have to make that investment again.

Each of us has a different skill level, needs, degrees of precision, and personalities. So getting something and learning yours is necessary. You buying a machine that meets MY needs may be totally unsuitable for what you want to do. Can you list IN DETAIL what you expect to make on this machine?

When you say you want a Bridgeport, are you stuck on that brand or are you open to other brands of vertical knee mills?

lg
no neat sig line

I bought mine at an auction with DRO and two heads for about $700. I'm in a golf league with a bunch of Machinists and they are helping me learn how to run it. A lot of industrial shops are updating equipment and you may be able to pick up something that works for you pretty cheap.

 

[MShaw]

If you look at alternate brands, don't overlook ExCello. They made a very nice machine.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I bought mine at an auction with DRO and two heads for about $700. I'm in a golf league with a bunch of Machinists and they are helping me learn how to run it. A lot of industrial shops are updating equipment and you may be able to pick up something that works for you pretty cheap.

You got a pretty good deal. I could sell the extra head for $500 and the machine for $2500-3000 around here to a hobby guy, as long as I throw in a $125 VFD.

 

[matt_i]

Somewhat valuable is the serial number "by year" from Bridgeport and now Hardinge to give you an idea of the relative age. Its out on the internet somewhere.

A DRO is something that speeds up a job a lot and can help an old machine do better with locations (relying on the scales instead of the mechanically positioned leadscrews)

I wouldn't buy a machine where you couldn't setup a part and do a little milling. Buy an R8 collet and a 3/8" - 2 flute HSS endmill - double-ended and a piece of 1018 steel that you can take along. This is a very small investment which you can use later.

You will need a plan to move it and wire it, both are possible with a little study, research and thinking. Its probably going to be your heaviest machine so far, good to plan for ~2000 lbs. You are going to have a 3 phase motor, so there's the possibility of a rotary phase converter or a VFD between the machine and the residential single phase 240vac power.

I wouldn't be stuck on a step pulley J-head, I think at this point a 2J vari-speed is going to be potentially newer and have less overall wear.

Adding: look also for the presence of a One Shot Oiler, in my mind this is quite valuable. There is no guarantee anyone before used it or filled it, etc, but there's a lot better chance that a machinist pulled the handle once-a-day than having to oil the machine by hand (on a machine without one)

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

I wouldnt get to hung up about it being a bridgeport machine as long as everything is nice and tight. I see quite a few machines like mine for sale on facebook for sale that are clone bases with 2J heads put on them.

I got mine about a month ago. It is a chevalier 10x50 base with a 2J head on it. This base is much beafier than a standard bridgeport with boxed ways and just all around built heavier and still has the bridgeport head I can get parts for should I need them down the road. In my mind the head is the only part of the machine you are likely to need parts for in a home shop environment.

For reference I gave 2500 for it just how it sits in the picture w/ servo x-axis power feed, Sony 2 axis DRO, one shot lube system, two work lamps, and on wheels.

Also as far as moving the machine goes I highly recommend a lift deck trailer. It saved me from having to beg, borrow, and plead with people to borrow something capable of lifting something of this size since I dont have a crane or fork truck at home.

 

[OccupantRJ]

This link has the serial numbers. They are located on the front top of the knee, and often on the side access door. I just happened to get three 1969 models from three different places. What are the odds?

http://northeastprecision.com/calculators-bridgport.html

 

[OccupantRJ]

I wouldnt get to hung up about it being a bridgeport machine as long as everything is nice and tight. I see quite a few machines like mine for sale on facebook for sale that are clone bases with 2J heads put on them.

I got mine about a month ago. It is a chevalier 10x50 base with a 2J head on it. This base is much beafier than a standard bridgeport with boxed ways and just all around built heavier and still has the bridgeport head I can get parts for should I need them down the road. In my mind the head is the only part of the machine you are likely to need parts for in a home shop environment.

For reference I gave 2500 for it just how it sits in the picture w/ servo x-axis power feed, Sony 2 axis DRO, one shot lube system, two work lamps, and on wheels.

Also as far as moving the machine goes I highly recommend a lift deck trailer. It saved me from having to beg, borrow, and plead with people to borrow something capable of lifting something of this size since I dont have a crane or fork truck at home.

Interesting dolly. Can you post a shot from the rear? I had not thought about that basic underslung design before.

 

[FishingMan]

I have a forklift to unload it. Its my pride and joy. No more lifting heavy stuff. Best thing ive bought in a while. Everytime i use it i smile. I'm probably the best machinist I know in my mind. Haha. Ive looked at some beat up machines. The search continues. Thanks for the help guys