Can Anyone Identify This BP Mill?

[7th Kahuna]

First let me say that I know nothing about mills, so the answer may be obvious to anyone but me. My apologies if that is the case.

I kind of have my eyes open for a deal on a mill. This one has come to my attention but the current owner knows nothing about it. I have tried to identify it from the photos, but I can't find another like it. The base is unique. The whole machine seems 'light weight'. It appears to be missing the manual control hand wheel. Is this some sort of specialty mill? The serial number on the head is J12913.

 

[VocaTexas]

http://www.lathes.co.uk/bridgeport/

Looks like a Bridgeport Series 1 to me.

 

[larry_g]

I'm thinking that is a bridgport head on an Index frame. A couple of clues to me is the pointer on the knee wheel and the scale holder under the table on the right. I have an album, http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=4077&page=2 , on here where you can see my index mill and the frame similarities.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[bczygan]

BP Series I head on unknown base.

 

[gte718p]

Don't know, but I would run it.

It is all about price.

 

[454ragtop]

2 things, make sure the head is square to the table, or able to be adjusted square, called tramming the head. And if you get it, plan on replacing that chicom drill press vise with a mill vise, don't need any parts flying around the shop.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Shut up and take my money!

 

[kazlx]

That's not a BP base. Looks like maybe and Index or something else like mentioned above. If you still got it cheap enough and it works, any mill is better than no mill.

 

[7th Kahuna]

I'm thinking that is a bridgport head on an Index frame. A couple of clues to me is the pointer on the knee wheel and the scale holder under the table on the right. I have an album, http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=4077&page=2 , on here where you can see my index mill and the frame similarities.

lg
no neat sig line

Ok, you got it. There is a tag on it that says Index Machine Tool, but we thought that was a retailer, told you I was a novice. Thanks for the link.

Don't know, but I would run it.

It is all about price.

Agreed, all about price (and condition). So how does the Index base, rather than a BP base, effect the equation? I would imagine it would lower the value. It looks as though it limits the function of the head a bit. (Don't mistake my comments for an understanding of how this machine works.)

2 things, make sure the head is square to the table, or able to be adjusted square, called tramming the head. And if you get it, plan on replacing that chicom drill press vise with a mill vise, don't need any parts flying around the shop.

Yeah, I was excited about the vise until I looked close. Good point.

 

[7th Kahuna]

That's not a BP base. Looks like maybe and Index or something else like mentioned above. If you still got it cheap enough and it works, any mill is better than no mill.

Any mill is better than no mill, though no mill may be better than a drill mill, which is where this whole idea of having a mill got started. What caught my attention about this one was that it looks like it would be easier to move than others I've seen.

 

[7th Kahuna]

The BP head appears to date from 1951. The machine has apparently been in storage for 20 years.

 

[kazlx]

Fwiw, real BP heads are usually worth at least $500. Look around on EBay. You can always buy it and keep an eye out for a legit BP base if you wanted. They are much easier to
Find and nobody wants them without a head. There's been one sitting on CL here for months at a couple hundred bucks in awesome condition minus a head.

 

[gte718p]

Any mill is better than no mill, though no mill may be better than a drill mill, which is where this whole idea of having a mill got started. What caught my attention about this one was that it looks like it would be easier to move than others I've seen.

There is nothing wrong will mill/drills. I have a round column Chinese mill drill. It is less then ideal, but I didn't have power or room for anything bigger. I have made tons of good parts on it.

Price is location dependent. I'm not familiar with your area. Around me that is $750 to $1000 all day. At $1500 it wouldn't be worth looking at. You mileage may vary depending on your area. Not being entirely BP hurts value significantly.

 

[larry_g]

View media item 46238
One thing to look at if your serious on that machine look to see if they have retained the provisions to tilt the head. On the original machine there is worm gear just under the motor, mine has a red wire on it in the picture, that provides controlled rotation, and I don't see that on yours. There is a ring on the front of the column that is degree'ed and is part of the head. Right behind that is 3 locking bolts. Check if some of that is intact to allow the head to rotate. Also check the spindle to see if it is an R8 taper or Morse. They came with both.

To me that is a $500-$750 machine, depending is you can find any tooling to have thrown into the deal. Take someone with you who knows what to look for.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[7th Kahuna]

There is nothing wrong will mill/drills. I have a round column Chinese mill drill. It is less then ideal, but I didn't have power or room for anything bigger. I have made tons of good parts on it.

Price is location dependent. I'm not familiar with your area. Around me that is $750 to $1000 all day. At $1500 it wouldn't be worth looking at. You mileage may vary depending on your area. Not being entirely BP hurts value significantly.

I appreciate the comments about the mill drill. A friend of my dad's was selling an Enco mill drill a couple years back. Low hours and he seemed happy enough with it, but I found myself swayed against it given some of the feedback I received at the time. Since we didn't even have a place for it at the time, we passed on it.

I too was thinking under $1,000. Just don't know how far under. I don't know if I can get the guy down that much, but knowing what else is on the market, a bit of patience on my part may be all it takes. I'm not technically ready for it anyway.

View media item 46238
One thing to look at if your serious on that machine look to see if they have retained the provisions to tilt the head. On the original machine there is worm gear just under the motor, mine has a red wire on it in the picture, that provides controlled rotation, and I don't see that on yours. There is a ring on the front of the column that is degree'ed and is part of the head. Right behind that is 3 locking bolts. Check if some of that is intact to allow the head to rotate. Also check the spindle to see if it is an R8 taper or Morse. They came with both.

To me that is a $500-$750 machine, depending is you can find any tooling to have thrown into the deal. Take someone with you who knows what to look for.

lg
no neat sig line

Thank you for the remote inspection. I'm going to spend some time getting familiar with that model head. I wish I had someone to take along but all the machinists I have known through the years, friends of my parents and grandparents, have passed away. I wonder if MrPete222 on Youtube has any videos covering that head in detail? His videos gave me the confidence to buy and disassemble the Logan metal lathe we bought last year.