should I buy a second Bridgeport Mill?

[bimmer1980]

So this is partially an internal discussion with myself and I'm curious what you guys would do.....

I already have a bridgeport variable speed vertical mill with a DRO. I got it for a decent price of $1100 (at least, I think that is a good price...) It is currently sitting in my little garage all covered while I work on finishing my big garage.

There is another bridgeport listed on craigslist for $600 that looks to be a bridgeport step pulley head. I do not think is has DRO, but it looks like it might have a power feed.

For some reason I want to make a run at buying it. I don't like to wasting the time of contacting the seller and looking at it if I have no intention of purchasing... (I don't want to be the flake....)

So..what would you do? buy it (or make the attempt at looking to buy it) or pass it up completely?

 

[woody 73]

If you have the room and space is not an issue then as the commercial says it is your money do what you want...

 

[Davefr]

Yes, buy it!!

 

[rsanter]

if you have the room and think you have the need then buy it if its in good shape

bob

 

[larry_g]

I have bought lathes and mills only to get the equipment package that comes with it. In my shop I have two mills and two lathes. However the mills are quite a bit different in that one is a horziontal and one is a verticle knee mill. So the capabilities of the two mills are quite different. If you are fully tooled on the first mill then maybe a second is in order, however if you are still needing tooling then I would budget in that direction first. If budget is not a concern then go for it.

I would also ask how are you fixed for support tools like band saws, grinders, drill presses, and other machines that comprise a well rounded machine shop? If you really become a machinest then I believe that you will find that 1 quality machine will be better that a shop full of junkers.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ptschram]

For having not only one, but one that only cost you $1100, you ****!

For even considering a second one, you ****!

 

[Outlawmws]

Can't really give good advise one way or the other without knowing what your planned use is. Having said that, if in good condition I'd jump on a $600 BP mill...

 

[Machobuck]

I would listen to larry g as he brings up some solid points. Stock your one mill to the nuts with tooling and or buy some tools to compliment. If all else fails and your already stocked to the balls why not let someone else have it?

If you want to spnd 600 on something spend it on stuff for your garage like a old cast welding/ drill press table. there is no better decore

 

[bobadame]

If the ways are still good I'd buy it for sure. If it's worn out why bother?

 

[IndyGarage]

I've been on the lookout and you normally can't find a decent Bridgeport head for $600, let alone an entire machine.

I'm the type that can't pass up a bargain, but there are so many bargains right now that it's not really possible to take them all in. The other day I saw an entire warehouse full of old machine tools - all with some problems, some minor, some major - they will all go to the furnace.

You cannot keep them all. The advice above is good. Keep the ones you need, keep upgrading them and don't worry about the rest.

 

[jpoe]

I wish I had your delima.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

2750 is a good price here
Up for sale is a BRIDGEPORT Milling Machine. RIGHT OUT OF A HOME WORKSHOP -- Older, but still works! All it needs is a little cleaning at the base.
S# M3861/ Model 311972 110V SINGLE PHASE
MANY ATTACHMENTS/TOOL BITS!

$2750. CASH ONLY.
Also see our 8" Delta Bench Grinder . Cleaning out a garage -- PRICED TO SELL & EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!

 

[Brad54]

I'd love to find a $600 Bridgeport... even one that's worn out... you can compensate for that, to a degree... enough of a degree that it would work for anything I'll ever do. Besides, it's not like they can't be refurbished.

-Brad

 

[Simple Sam]

I'm curious; what do people do with mills in a home (not business) workshop? They seem like a pretty big investment as they cost several thousand dollars for used ones, take a large space, need dedicated power, and would require significant effort to move and install.

 

[BWS]

Sam,its all relative......

BP's are viewed as "small" mills to alot of folks.

The investment is just that......with moderate homey use,a BP will last a cpl lifetimes.And even beat to near death they can retire to a woodshop where they'll still be more useful than imagined.

Rigging is serious,back-killing,injure you kind of stuff.......to the "unwashed".I find picking up houses/buildings a fun little aside,can practically throw a BP around.

How serious anyone takes a hobby or biz.....at some point a mill and a lathe are gonna enter the picture.I may not "hug" ours enough?But would be lost without them.They're not only for the biz.....they get called on for solving alot of personal problems as well.BW

 

[nomad69]

If space is not an issue, then for 600 I'm all over that one.I paid almost 1500 for mine two years ago with some extra goodies thrown in( delta 17in drill press). Around here a spare machine of any type,lathe mill drill press planer etc is simply considered trading material. Very hard to lose on that one unless the machine is totally worn out.

 

[930dreamer]

Let up know what you've decided,and of course pics are a must.

 

[bimmer1980]

I appreciate the feed back guys. I sent the guy an email on Friday, but have not heard anything back.... that usually means it's been sold, but you never know.

If it can snag it, great, if not, well, somebody got a good deal and life will continue on....

 

[A_Pmech]

There are plenty of other machines, besides turret mills, that make up a fully equipped machine shop. I would be looking for those machines instead of a second light milling machine. You can only crank handles on one of them at a time.

 

[bimmer1980]

APmech-- I'd be interested in hearing your ideal list of machines for a well equiped shop. I'm slowing acquiring machines as they come available.

While one can only operate one machine at a time, there may be some efficiencies for having two machine set up for different tasks.....

Of course, floor space is always a premium....

Brad

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I'm curious; what do people do with mills in a home (not business) workshop? They seem like a pretty big investment as they cost several thousand dollars for used ones, take a large space, need dedicated power, and would require significant effort to move and install.

It's like anything, you get the tools you need to do what you need. If you need to make precision items, then there is no other option. I know guys with way more than a few grand ******* in welding equipment, and no one says a thing about it.

Like BWS said, it's all a matter of perspective. A full size Bridgeport is the smallest I would want in my shop, but I'm used to using Bridgeport sized machines all day at work.

 

[A_Pmech]

Brad,

It really depends on what you want to do with your shop. In some cases, all you need is a turret mill and a lathe. Those two machines, well tooled, will do quite a bit.

The next machine I would consider would be a shaper or a surface grinder. A shaper is technically "obsolete", but an inventive machinist can do a lot of things on one that would be impossible or very difficult otherwise. If you see more precise parts being necessary, a surface grinder and heat treating furnace might be in order.

Thinking in yet another direction, if you're planning to build engines, a portable boring bar may be the direction you should go.

As you can see, there are a number of directions you can go with your shop and choosing the correct path depends highly on what you plan to make.

APmech-- I'd be interested in hearing your ideal list of machines for a well equiped shop. I'm slowing acquiring machines as they come available.

While one can only operate one machine at a time, there may be some efficiencies for having two machine set up for different tasks.....

Of course, floor space is always a premium....

Brad

 

[Twiggss]

for 600 I'd jump on it. If anything clean it up a bit and resell it.