Did I screw the pooch?

[EOC_Jason]

It's not very common but think of a rotary table. The difference is that the X-feed is now also at an angle to the regular X-axis. It's now able to do precision tapers.

Ah okay, I see what you mean. That is an interesting feature for sure.

I don't mind admitting I'm ignorant- what EXACTLY will this machine help one do in a residential environment???

Mill & drill baby... mill & drill...

Difference between residential toys and the real deal is bulk. Weight = rigidity = able to hold tolerances better...

 

[Robert Haas]

I don't mind admitting I'm ignorant- what EXACTLY will this machine help one do in a residential environment???

Not exactly a residential environment that it will live in.

 

[Robert Haas]

I've studied the pictures and cannot convince myself that is a universal table. I expect to see something rounded between the table and the knee. I have a universal table on mine. I'm waiting till I see better pictures of the front of the machine to make a call.

lg
no neat sig line

yes the table rotates thru the XY Approx. 60 degrees left or right

 

[ttpete]

yes the table rotates thru the XY Approx. 60 degrees left or right

You'll have a fun time getting everything trammed up.

 

[creativecars]

oops...

 

[Beerman]

Not exactly a residential environment that it will live in.

I didn't ask the correct question.

What, specifically, does this machine do and/or produce??

 

[larry_g]

I didn't ask the correct question.

What, specifically, does this machine do and/or produce??

It is for cutting details into metal. Holes, gears, slots, pockets, and 10k other things only limited by your imagination. I suggest you look at milling machine on u-tube and see.

Might I suggest that you start with the 4 part series here to see some good mill work.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Robert Haas]

I didn't ask the correct question.

What, specifically, does this machine do and/or produce??

Do you make parts out of metal or plastic for any projects you do?

Every single thing you make or will make could never come close to the accuracy a machine like this can produce. Furthermore once you have your set ups you can replicate that part exactly as often as you would like.

 

[gte718p]

I have no idea where you will find the parts, but having the parts for horizontal mill would make it even more versatile. Also saves a ton of room over having two machines. I'm sure changing from vertical to horizontal is a pain in the @$$ though and probably not something you would do often. Even without the horizontal parts, that thing looks legit.

Enjoy

 

[Robert Haas]

looking at a Mill vise on E-bay and a few other sundry components.

A rotary index with a 3 jaw and 4 jaw looks handy.

 

[ez-duzit]

Great looking machine!

 

[Robert Haas]

It is ALIVE

All wired up with a new rotary phase converter,

lifted it up on to a steel base I built with leveling pads, it is dead nuts level.

Head is trammed, machine is full of lube and running like a top

I am so happy.

 

[paulsomlo]

I guess you've gotten over your initial buyer's remorse?

 

[ttpete]

All it needs now is a set of digits.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have always fantasized about owning a mill and have wanted a Bridgport for 30 years.

If I can get this baby homed and operational I think I will be smart enough to figure it out.

Tooling is very expensive, bt I knew that going in.


I paid 2 grand for this puppy.

3 phase is pretty easy now...a few hundred bucks and you can make the motor turn. Hire an electrician though.

Tooling will be expensive but you've got your whole life to buy that now.

 

[Robert Haas]

Been running the machine daily for a couple weeks now. Have a fairly serious investment on instrumentation and tooling and it is just the tip of the iceberg.

I installed a DRO and realized almost instantly just how much accuracy and time I just gained.

My new Kurt DX6 vice with a set of parallels gets me 95% of the holding done, I do have a standard clamping set as well.

I was gifted a post war Bridgeport 16" rotary table (Weighs over 200 LBS) I disassembled it and it runs true and tight. I will be doing a full restoration on it soon.






This is the Bridgport Rotary Table. I will post some detailed pictures of it as I do the restoration.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah for what the cost of tooling and instrumentation is, you would think a company would do like cell phone companies... Give you the machine for free, but you have to buy all your tooling from them...

 

[APEowner]

I don't know how I missed this thread when it was first started. That's a really nice machine! Does it have power feed on both the x and Y?

 

[garagelogician]

I kind of understand your posts

I don't know what an "edge finder" is

I think I know what the Static converter is(Converts my 240 Single Phase to 3 phase right?)

But what do I need a variable frequency drive for? Do I need to have a speed control on the motor? It seems logical and it is something I did to my lathe so maybe mills work better too.

Damn I am pretty much a babe in the woods right now. I am sure I will get up to speed eventually.

Check out this guy on YouTube, I've never machined anything in my life but I find this channel very interesting and have learned a lot just by watching him and hearing him explain things.

Someday I will own a mill and lathe...

 

[Robert Haas]

I don't know how I missed this thread when it was first started. That's a really nice machine! Does it have power feed on both the x and Y?

it has power on all three axis as well as a clutched drive on the quill. We just figured out that it has an auto retract and a variable speed drive. I think it is for tapping and drilling but have not got a clue. A buddy (Life long machinist)s has fallen in love with this machine and is currently working on creating a manual for me.

 

[rsanter]

The answer is that you have defiantly screwed the pooch.
Look at all the time and money it has cost you since that purchase......

Bob

 

[EOC_Jason]

LOL, your drill press in the background looks so small and wimpy compared to your shiny new mill...

The steel base you put it on doesn't flex or anything does it? It's hard to see but that just seems like a lot of weight for some steel plate.

Also, the green reminds me of this, I get a chuckle every time I look at it...

 

[VocaTexas]

Welcome to the rabbit hole. You're going to enjoy that mill. It's a beauty! Now, you just need a lathe...

If you aren't already, join us over at Hobby Machinist. Lots of great guys over there to help out with questions and some great build threads. For videos, in addition to Abom, I'd suggest Vintage Machinery (Keith Rucker), and Mr. Pete 222.

Have fun with the machine!

 

[APEowner]

it has power on all three axis as well as a clutched drive on the quill. We just figured out that it has an auto retract and a variable speed drive. I think it is for tapping and drilling but have not got a clue. A buddy (Life long machinist)s has fallen in love with this machine and is currently working on creating a manual for me.

That's awesome.

 

[stioc]

Congrats man! that's a serious looking mill! Now let's see what you do with it