OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
The 20 ton yellow elephant...
Bought Bridgeport Clone - Now Getting it Set Up for Basic Machining
- Thread starter bulletpruf
- Start date
The 20 ton yellow elephant...
86turbodsl
Well-known member
Wonder how it compares to Euclid. The original one. It's freaking gigantic. And usually packed. Takes me about 2-3 hours to walk through the whole place once. I always find things.
RoninB4
Well-known member
-Haven't been to the one in Tx. but have at Euclid and agree it's huge with a selection of machinery that's changing all the time. They'll also run power to the machine if asked so it can be checked out, they expect customers to see machinery running so it's not a real big inconvenience for them to have it powered up in 20-30 minutes. Calling ahead tells them you're a serious buyer and not a tire kicker.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
You might search for “hgr” on the forum on Practicalmachinist.com for further info on what to expect and to be careful of when buying from them.
86turbodsl
Well-known member
I never thought of that. Anything with a spindle it would make sense though. They've been good about moving stuff out into the open so i can check it out better though. I've bought several things based on price and pics alone. Never been disappointed.
Sorry but I was at the track over the weekend.
Have you checked out GovDeals for anything in your area ?
How far is San Antonio from Ft Worth ? HGR has a place there.
Not sure if this link will work.
Have you checked out GovDeals for anything in your area ?
How far is San Antonio from Ft Worth ? HGR has a place there.
Not sure if this link will work.
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
I have not, but I need to.
Someone mentioned HGR already. Fort Worth is about a 5 hour drive, and they have several affordable mills in stock.
Not sure if this link will work.
Thanks
Keep in mind HGR will move the prices around from day to day. I'd suggest creating an account and check the website daily.
Steve from Socal
Well-known member
I am gona come out and say it, several folks here with lots of knowledge of the subject have danced around the issue.
You want to buy a 'mill' any mil just to have a mill? That is like saying I want to buy a stove. Now wanting to buy either with no experience is kinds fraught with problems. Each of the stove and machine need additional tools/ fixtures to work. First, the idea that a mill is the answer to what? There are several types of milling machnes and all of them are just the basic form factor. The tooling, fixtures, and machines vary from machine type.
You have no defined need for a mill, your projects are not watches or RC cars. A miling machine to do work with the scale of your toys is way beyond that of a mill drill. That you don't know what you don't know is telling. Start by getting more insight on the subject. Define what you will do with a milling machine. Do you even have the time and interest in learning another skill that has but a limited need in your life? I am not saying this with any bias, do you need another diversion to spend time, money and effort on?
You want to buy a 'mill' any mil just to have a mill? That is like saying I want to buy a stove. Now wanting to buy either with no experience is kinds fraught with problems. Each of the stove and machine need additional tools/ fixtures to work. First, the idea that a mill is the answer to what? There are several types of milling machnes and all of them are just the basic form factor. The tooling, fixtures, and machines vary from machine type.
You have no defined need for a mill, your projects are not watches or RC cars. A miling machine to do work with the scale of your toys is way beyond that of a mill drill. That you don't know what you don't know is telling. Start by getting more insight on the subject. Define what you will do with a milling machine. Do you even have the time and interest in learning another skill that has but a limited need in your life? I am not saying this with any bias, do you need another diversion to spend time, money and effort on?
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
I really need a drill press. And I periodically have a need to fabricate something and I'd like to learn more about machining, so getting a mill drill makes sense to me.
I realize the mill drill has all kinds of limitations, and I really expect it to have limited utility for my heavy equipment projects. I'm ok with that.
I don't have a huge amount of bandwidth to devote to learning machining, hence my preference for a mill drill that I can use to make holes in stuff. From there, I hope to be able to do some basic machining/fabrication.
Thanks
Steve from Socal
Well-known member
That honesty and candor is perfect.
Consider something with a box column, the drillpress with a table machines are really floppy
alfadan
Well-known member
I imagine a lathe and mill would be indispensable if working on big dirt working machines.
Keep an eye out on local auction sites and purplewave too.
Keep an eye out on local auction sites and purplewave too.
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Thanks
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
SilverJimmy
Well-known member
Just my opinion, so for what it’s worth, here goes! Buy a mill drill now, use it for what you want, then in the future if you need to upgrade for more capabilities, then buy a mill. As you have seen in your search for a mill drill, they seem to hold their value, so you should be able to sell it for what you paid or maybe even more! The only thing I would maybe do is buy one that uses the same tooling as a mill so you can build up that tool set now and not go backwards if you upgrade to mill.
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
That's pretty much what I'm thinking at this point - mill drill for now and then a likely upgrade once I learn the ropes a bit.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
1500 bucks for that round column is nuts imo. The accessories 'aint all that'. That's top top dollar for that machine.
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Thanks. There's a Rong Fu 31 (made in Taiwan) in Houston for about half that much. Has some tooling, too.
mattthemuppet
Well-known member
drop deck trailers are AMAZING for moving top heavy stuff like mills and lathes. A friend and I moved my 5000lb mill with one and it was a completely trouble free move.
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
That's good to hear. I wasn't looking forward to wrasslin' it on and off my car hauler.
whateg01
Well-known member
That looks like a vise that sells for $40 on Amazon
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
The Enco has been sold. Thanks
I know I'm a day late, but I find it hilarious that your leery of buying a 3k# mill but didnt have a problem buying the 977 and potentially buying a 6.5t dozer. Dont get me wrong, i enjoy following your escapades. Hoping you find a mill that fits your needs/budget.
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Well, the 977 was actually free, but I get your point.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Forgot to mention -- it's not the weight that's my biggest concern, it's buying one that's not junk, getting it set up, and learning how to use it. Just seems to me to make more sense to me to start off with something newer, smaller, less complicated, less expensive, running on 110/220, etc.
Kind of like when I started hunting at around age 12. Dad got me the H&R break barrel 20 gauge single shot for my first few seasons of small game hunting. I eventually graduated to a 12 gauge pump, duck hunting, and deer hunting, but only after I'd learned the ropes with my trusty 20 ga. and put a dent in the local squirrel population.
txvwnut
Well-known member
Dad bought a Rong Fu much like that 31, it may even be a 31, in the late 70's or early 80's and up until his stroke earlier this year it was still going strong. He did operations on it that I don't think I'd try on my knee mill.
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
Found several affordable BP mills, but they're in Brownsville (4 hours), disconnected, and sitting outside in the salt air and rain for several weeks.
There's also a Comet near me, 9x42, manufactured 1980, and within budget. No tooling, 3 phase, and not under power (seller doesn't have 3 phase available where it's located) but it's only a few miles from my shop, and that's huge. Seller is available next week. Looks like these are Bridgeport clone machines, but parts availability is a concern.
There's also a Comet near me, 9x42, manufactured 1980, and within budget. No tooling, 3 phase, and not under power (seller doesn't have 3 phase available where it's located) but it's only a few miles from my shop, and that's huge. Seller is available next week. Looks like these are Bridgeport clone machines, but parts availability is a concern.
bimmer1980
Well-known member
Any pics of the comet?
Close is good. Crank the wheels and see how it feels.
Candidly, you can buy tooling as you need it. A basic clamp set, a couple of collects and a good drill chuck and you can probably do most of what you want for the short term.
Close is good. Crank the wheels and see how it feels.
Candidly, you can buy tooling as you need it. A basic clamp set, a couple of collects and a good drill chuck and you can probably do most of what you want for the short term.
RoninB4
Well-known member
-Great mill but changing heads will not be easy or quick. Don't recall the quill in the vertical head but doubt it's as useful as a BP and may depend upon raising the table under feed, not always a good idea. Ploughs through large swaths of metal with ease but likely not what the OP had in mind for project work. Great price, beefy construction, versatile, and about like butterfly hunting with a mallet. I liked them for plate work and heavy milling but don't have the shop space for one. Hope somebody here does, they're nice if you need a beast.
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
alfadan
Well-known member
Looks pretty good so far.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
I have an '85 comet, and everything has basically been almost identical to the BP parts. It did come with a full set of documents, including original QC paperwork and parts drawings. Let me know if you need anything.
From what I have been able to find, it was made as good or better than the BP at the time (BP was trying to do some cost cutting measures during the 80's).
From what I have been able to find, it was made as good or better than the BP at the time (BP was trying to do some cost cutting measures during the 80's).
OP
bulletpruf
Well-known member
That's good to hear! Thanks for the info and I'll let you know if I need anything.
Steve from Socal
Well-known member
Yea,
That is a cute lil K&T, as noted the vertical head lacks a quill. It is also an Adcock & Shipply made licensed machine. I have an older 5HP 2H. The feed motor maybe why the spindle was reduced to 3HP? My just pre-war 12/41 2h has a motor dual rated for both 50/60Hz Perhaps these were unified for lend-lease? The machine in the ad is post war late 50's vintage don't want to give the impression they were war production
whateg01
Well-known member
IOW, it makes a crappy drill press.
Steve from Socal
Well-known member
Actually with the correct feed rate and there are many, they drill holes great. Just not as easy or quickly as a drillpress, anything smaller that 3/8 is iffy!
whateg01
Well-known member
That's the benefit of a drill press. Hence, it's not a great drill press.
Steve from Socal
Well-known member
Here is the set up for bulletpruf,
A drillpress and 'small milling machine'
A drillpress and 'small milling machine'