Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Welcome......To Odd Acres

[Finallygotit]

She is all back together and running really smooth............



But we did have to take it apart a couple of times to correct a rubbing issue. If anyone rebuilds their equipment, check the replacement parts against the parts that you are replacing. I replaced a sleeve that was just a bit thicker than what came out and it was rubbing against an aluminum plate and made the most god awful noise. We had to disassemble and take that aluminum plate and dimple it about 1/16" for clearance.

I also decided to give the aluminum housing for the vari-drive a little attention with some polish. Also did a black paint fill around the machine logo.

Now the head is trammed in to within 0.0002" front to back and side to side. Time to start making chips again!


I am really happy with the results of the rebuild. I occasionally walk by the mill and turn it on just to hear the quiet.

 

[Grumblebum]

It looks great dan. I'm just going to have to keep admiring yours and others mills for a while yet

Cheers GB

 

[Finallygotit]

Hello GB and thanks for stopping by and the kind words.

I really like the reorg going on at your place.

 

[jblnut]

I have been avoiding your thread for a little while because I come on here and see stuff I absolutely drool over. Like that BEAUTIFUL Bridgeport. My goodness I'd love to have one some day. Once the new shop goes up maybe I can fill it with some toys

 

[Finallygotit]

I have been avoiding your thread for a little while because I come on here and see stuff I absolutely drool over. Like that BEAUTIFUL Bridgeport. My goodness I'd love to have one some day. Once the new shop goes up maybe I can fill it with some toys

Well thanks for stopping by! Just keep an eye out for used machine tools. You would be surprised what pops up at estate sales. That's how I came about both the lathe and the Bridgeport.

BTW, those are not toys, those are practical required tools to perform needed functions.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Dan, great outcome..

 

[sawduststeve]

Is it done ye....oh, it is
Great work Dan, I'm not surprised you turn it on as you walk past, you should be dead chuffed with what you've achieved.
I'm expecting some great work now , no pressure.

Steve

 

[YukonXL04]

Just read this whole build from the start! Love it! Been there done that with previous "DIY homeowners." Love how you deal with the problems correctly and keep a positive spirit. Great work!

 

[dchance]

Bridgeport looks great

Dwight

 

[Finallygotit]

Dan, great outcome..

Hello 1/2! Thanks for stopping by; really appreciate it!

Is it done ye....oh, it is
Great work Dan, I'm not surprised you turn it on as you walk past, you should be dead chuffed with what you've achieved.
I'm expecting some great work now , no pressure.

Steve

Hello Steve. To quote you, I am most certainly dead chuffed!!
I was a bit nervous at first but once I got into it, it was not a problem. Next up is making some dry sump parts for a scale model of a 9 cylinder radial engine that a few of us are finishing.

Just read this whole build from the start! Love it! Been there done that with previous "DIY homeowners." Love how you deal with the problems correctly and keep a positive spirit. Great work!

Hello Yukon, thank you for stopping by and thank you very much for those kind words. I feel like I should buy you an adult beverage or two for for soldiering through this thread. I'm impressed!

Bridgeport looks great

Dwight

Hello Dwight and thanks for checking in. I am quite pleased with the outcome.

 

[bj383ss]

Glad you got the old girl purring again Dan. I like how you blinged out the nameplate.

Bret

 

[YukonXL04]

Hello 1/2! Thanks for stopping by; really appreciate it!

Hello Yukon, thank you for stopping by and thank you very much for those kind words. I feel like I should buy you an adult beverage or two for for soldiering through this thread. I'm impressed!

No thank you! I couldn't stop myself. Just wanted to keep going to see what was next! The mill looks great btw!

I'm surprised you haven't enclosed the carport by the French doors to have a garage for momma to park in lol!

 

[zmotorsports]

Awesome Dan. Glad to see your BP back in operation again.

Just noticed your vise, is that an older Kurt D-675 vise? I purchased a used one a couple of years ago and really like mine.

 

[Finallygotit]

.........Just noticed your vise, is that an older Kurt D-675 vise? I purchased a used one a couple of years ago and really like mine.

Hi Mike and thanks!

Yes it is an old Kurt 675 vice that needs a bit of TLC. Another project on the "to do" list. That vice came with the Bridgeport as well as a lot of other goodies.

I have used those Kurt vices for decades and wouldn't use another brand. Those mill vices are bulletproof.

 

[Finallygotit]

Glad you got the old girl purring again Dan. I like how you blinged out the nameplate.

Bret

Thanks Bret! I was debating on paint filling with just Bridgeport gray or the black. I'm glad I chose the black. The aluminum polish didn't hurt either.

 

[Duker]

Dan, finally worked my way through the thread. Great stuff and I will join in on the comments about the Bridgeport.... excellent job. I just picked up a DoAll milk for a few hundred bucks ( didn’t need another mill but the price was too cheap not too) and your thread has given me the confidence to tackle the project!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Finallygotit]

Hello Duker and thanks for stopping by.


If I can be of any assistance on your mill rebuild from here, do not hesitate to ask. Just be ready to dig out a lot of nasty old grease and oil.

 

[Terrick down Under]

I love your BP, like the detail to the bed covers etc. I am a Fitter/Machinist/Toolmaker by trade, so I really do love the tolerance you set the ways to. With a nice light oil, they should feel like silk moving them along. In my second year I spent 3 months on a floor walker, the bed was a table set into the concrete about 40'x40', the head weighed in at 16 ton. The first time I turned it on ( we both got excited) was to ream and bush a 6' diameter sintered brass bush for a rolling mill part.
GB, you might know the workshop...the old 140" mill shop near North Gate.
You are so right about old grease and oil in the cavities, makes you wonder how so much got in there?

 

[Finallygotit]

Hello Terrick and thanks for those kind words.

...........In my second year I spent 3 months on a floor walker, the bed was a table set into the concrete about 40'x40', the head weighed in at 16 ton. The first time I turned it on ( we both got excited) was to ream and bush a 6' diameter sintered brass bush for a rolling mill part...........

Holy moly.....I can't imagine working on something that big. Firing up a machine that big would get me excited and nervous at the same time. I would be worried I would crash something.

 

[Terrick down Under]

That was cool to work, there was also a lathe that we machined the 80 ton rollers that friction drive the rolling mills. The tail stock has its own 3phase motor to travel along the bed, and the tool post was big enough to sit a chair on, because the turning tools were made of 6” square bar with a piece of 1” thick carbode brazed into it. Then you sharpen it with a 9” grinder.

 

[Grumblebum]

I love your BP, like the detail to the bed covers etc. I am a Fitter/Machinist/Toolmaker by trade, so I really do love the tolerance you set the ways to. With a nice light oil, they should feel like silk moving them along. In my second year I spent 3 months on a floor walker, the bed was a table set into the concrete about 40'x40', the head weighed in at 16 ton. The first time I turned it on ( we both got excited) was to ream and bush a 6' diameter sintered brass bush for a rolling mill part.
GB, you might know the workshop...the old 140" mill shop near North Gate.
You are so right about old grease and oil in the cavities, makes you wonder how so much got in there?

That would have been cool to see. I know roughly where you are referring to but have never been in there.

GB

 

[Finallygotit]

Decided to restore one more bit on the Bridgeport. It's the red, silver and gray faceplate where the spindle speeds are displayed.


Before.....



After......



But that's enough. It's time to make chips.


So a while back, I mentioned how kluged the front driveway gate was. I have finally gotten around to repairing the parts and get it into working order. And, as usual with all things from the PO, this was another exercise in scope creep.


The rubber rollers that guide the top of the gate needed to be replaced. And in true PO fashion, the axles for those rubber rollers were welded in the brackets. So out came the angle grinder to separate the brackets from the thingys that held them in place.


Once separated, I put the brackets on the mill to machine out the weld and the axle.



Here's a picture of old versus new.



Now I had to make new axles that were replaceable so I went and visited my friendly neighborhood ACE Hardware and bought some half inch diameter cold rolled bar, cut them to length and threaded both ends for nyloc nuts.



Here's the repaired assembly.



Next up is to re-weld those brackets back on to the thingys and paint.


Oh, and the wheels that the gate roll on? Yep, more scope creep.



More to come!

 

[zmotorsports]

Very nice job Dan.

Trust me, I completely understand "scope creep". My entire property turned into one massive scope creep project.

 

[Finallygotit]

Very nice job Dan.

Trust me, I completely understand "scope creep". My entire property turned into one massive scope creep project.

Thanks Mike! Yeah I saw that but you turned lemons into way more than lemonade. Fantastic work my friend!!



I'm trying to re-use the brackets that came with the fence and gate as my welding skills and my flux core welder are not up to the task of making them from scratch. I have lots and lots of practicing to do. My welds are getting better buuuuuut......... Let's just say there is some room for improvement.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks Mike! Yeah I saw that but you turned lemons into way more than lemonade. Fantastic work my friend!!



I'm trying to re-use the brackets that came with the fence and gate as my welding skills and my flux core welder are not up to the task of making them from scratch. I have lots and lots of practicing to do. My welds are getting better buuuuuut......... Let's just say there is some room for improvement.

Thanks Dan.

I agree, my welds are never as good as I would like and need more practice.

Just out of curiosity, what size table does your Bridgeport have? Looks like maybe a 9"x42" or is it larger than that?

 

[tweidman]

I'm really impressed with the Bridgeport. That is a sweet set up you have there.

 

[Finallygotit]

Thanks Dan.

I agree, my welds are never as good as I would like and need more practice.


Really.....you're going to go there!!! To compare your welds to mine would be like comparing welds from a guy that welds pressure vessels to Stevie Wonder.


Just out of curiosity, what size table does your Bridgeport have? Looks like maybe a 9"x42" or is it larger than that?

Good eye Mike, mine is a standard 9" x 42".

 

[Finallygotit]

I'm really impressed with the Bridgeport. That is a sweet set up you have there.

Thank you for that. I really like having my mill and lathe. So many things I can do, and for others.


Thanks for stopping by.

 

[penright]

So many things I can do, and for others.

The problem is you live in AZ, I live in OK.

When I first started out in racing in the late 80's, 3 seasons before getting married and kids, my mentor had a lathe. It was a WWII model, and he would make a comment about run out ....
When cutting tubing for hemispherical rod ends, he would cut his long. Then turn it down to the correct length. That would give a good flat surface for the lock nut. I used a hack saw to cut the tube then try to file it straight, imagine my run out.

Love your posts ...

 

[Finallygotit]

........... I used a hack saw to cut the tube then try to file it straight, imagine my run out.

Love your posts ...

Thanks for stopping by and the kind words penright.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks for the info on the Bridgeport Dan. I thought it looked like a 42" long table but possible 49". At 42" it is slightly longer than my 35" and on occasion a person has to get a bit creative with larger items but it sure is nice when it comes to space savings.

Thanks for the comments on the welds but my comment still stands, I am not always happy with mine and always trying to improve upon them. I am 100% self taught and I am my worst critic, but I'm sure I am not alone there.

 

[bj383ss]

That final piece you restored on the mill makes it pop Dan. Love the new gate rollers. And they will be easier for you to replace in the future.

Bret

 

[Finallygotit]

That final piece you restored on the mill makes it pop Dan. Love the new gate rollers. And they will be easier for you to replace in the future.

Bret

Hi Bret!


Thanks for stopping by and thank you.


My lovely wife has volunteered to paint those bracket thingy's so that should be done in a day or two.


Next up, drilling for Tapcon's to hold the V track in place to guide the gate. I think I got carried away with the hold down tabs.

 

[MJK]

Nice to see some killer places here locally!

You guys have any recommendations for concrete work in the Tucson area? Looking to get some idea of what a driveway would take, and have a feeling I am not going to like the answer. Same question for fill dirt to raise a parking pad too if you got it.

 

[Finallygotit]

Hello MJK and welcome.



For concrete work I used Southwest Concrete. I am quite pleased with the work that they did.


For fill and rock work, I used D&D Materials. They have a place on 22nd and one on Old Vail Road. There is also Pioneer Landscape.



I have contact information for both if you're interested.

 

[ASHMAN_AZ]

Nice to see some killer places here locally!

You guys have any recommendations for concrete work in the Tucson area? Looking to get some idea of what a driveway would take, and have a feeling I am not going to like the answer. Same question for fill dirt to raise a parking pad too if you got it.

I use Rick, not licensed and bonded but cheap and they do a good job
520-331-4053

Did 6,800 sq ft of driveway afew years ago colored and textured, cost about $3 a sq ft. Just got a quote for a 1,000 sq ft back patio and still came out to about $3 a sq ft.

 

[ambenz]

.....Oh, and the wheels that the gate roll on? Yep, more scope creep.
More to come!

I had to go back and "preview" what you originally did to the gate to get an idea what you are dealing with.
Unfortunately, I didn't see the after shot of this pic...

I am guessing you have a recessed groove in the concrete that the bottom rollers are captured?
Or maybe you inserted a raised "track" from O gauge train tracks and are running rolling stock "Wheelsets" on the bottom of the gate?
Playing with trains at the local museum can give you ideas! LOL!
Good you ran electric wire out there for an actuator or motor.
I was in automation and am always scheming ideas to automate things, on the cheap.
Your gate project is gonna be a interesting adventure for me.

 

[Finallygotit]

I had to go back and "preview" what you originally did to the gate to get an idea what you are dealing with.
Unfortunately, I didn't see the after shot of this pic...


I am guessing you have a recessed groove in the concrete that the bottom rollers are captured?
Or maybe you inserted a raised "track" from O gauge train tracks and are running rolling stock "Wheelsets" on the bottom of the gate?
Playing with trains at the local museum can give you ideas! LOL!
Good you ran electric wire out there for an actuator or motor.
I was in automation and am always scheming ideas to automate things, on the cheap.
Your gate project is gonna be a interesting adventure for me.

Sorry, I missed this post. I went back in my picture archive and noticed that I didn't have an "after" pic of the concrete work. So I went out this evening and took one.






I will need to dig a pit and put in a form for the gate opener to sit on. Since it's kinda warm out here these days, that project is going to wait until at least this fall.


Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Finallygotit]

Been gone for a little while. It was our annual guys fishing trip to Canada. Really like going up there. No cell service, no calls from work! We fished for walleye and northern with a few perch and bass thrown in for giggles. The lake is so big and vast, we rarely see other people while fishing. We do get to see a lot of natural wildlife.



A few pics

We limited out on northern in one day in six hours. That was fun.

A bald eagle graced us with his presence. Beautiful bird!

Some of our bounty packed and ready to go.

My first selfie........yuck....

And one of many beautiful sunsets....

More to come!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Dan thank you for sharing pics of your trip. It would have been fantastic..