Now Milling

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:58 pm

what is a decent milling machine to buy. Is a J head brigeport mill a decentone at around $1800.....manual though no automatic feed

mr douglas t · Post by **mr douglas t** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:51 am

there are alot of factors in a good mill price. $1800 is a good price, depending on condition, options, location and transportation costs. At auction a mill in good condition, with power feed, a dro, variable speed head and a vice will easily bring $2000.- I have also seen dirty mills with 32" tables, no power feed or dro only get $600.- If your at an auction, dont forget buyers premium, sales tax and $100 to a rigger to load it onto your truck. With this all said, I think $1800 is a good price.

crzypete · Post by **crzypete** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:46 am

I'd pay $1800 for a good condition J-head bridgeport with V ram.

There are so many Bridgeports out there that you can have the pick of the litter. look for the following:

Condition: Although a clapped out machine will probably be able to handle most of your needs, don't overpay for what isn't there.

V-ram: early on Bridgeport used a round ram- less desirable and often associated with a smaller knee- 9" as opposed to 12" of in and out travel.

42" Table: A smaller table will leave you short at times- you will be surprised at how little of that 42" is actual travel. The 42" is the most common table, but they also have a 48"

J-head: Much more desirable than the smaller m-head- the serial number of the head will start with a J. The m-head almost always will be on a round ram machine, they usually don't fetch a grand.

Vari-speed head: the 2J, as bridgeport labeled it. Saves you belt changes, but harder to repair when it starts clucking ( I guess it has some bushings that wear or something)

Chrome ways: An option that later became standard, They are nice because they significantly extend the life of the ways between rebuilds, once they start to go bad, they become a pain to rebuild.

One shot lube: Hard to retrofit this, and important to make oiling easy, the common brand is Bijur.

Powerfeed: They seem to come in three distinct shapes and sizes. The Original Bridgeport gear drive- a big bulky cast iron thing which extends the leadscrew, these can be temperamental but are solid enough when working. The modern-er bridgeport feed, I believe it was called the 7A, these are reviewed as the best ever offered. Lastly the modern Servo drives, Imports are cheap, these are easily retrofitted onto mills that never came with power feeds, an excellent alternative to having no powerfeed, and what I run.

DRO: Digital Read-Out, Not essential, until you have one, then you can never go back.

Collets: Bridgeports take R8 collets, you really only need a set by 1/8's.

Vise: Kurt is the industry standard.

Good luck.

Pete

RossR · Post by **RossR** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:44 am

Correct me If I am wrong guys but cant you add power feeds to the machine after the fact if you want. Cost as factor as always. Other than that got to agree if its in good shape $1800 isnt bad.

Ross

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:18 pm

Thanks guys. If it doesn't have digital read out what expense is it to put it one a mill also what is the cost of a power feed....Ross I am waiting on pics of the lathe but it seems a bit high with no attachments......lolol Pete got me looking for everything now

RossR · Post by **RossR** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:58 pm

I can relate totally. If I didnt have Al as my landlord for my store(ie lets me use his machines) I would be searching more feverishly!!!! I never knew how handy a mill and a lathe etc can be!! Oh and how I ever lived without a roll on metal band saw is beyond me

.

I will keep my eyes open for a mill too if this one doesnt pan out.

Ross

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:25 pm

Well heres what the mill is....now what dose $1800 look like
J head, step pulley, 42’ table ,5 ¼ V-ram, no collets, no dro

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:26 pm

Pete look at this one...I asked about the reserve....I geet great shipping rates too
120000445737

crzypete · Post by **crzypete** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:09 am

I think the kicker with buying a mill is condition. With 2K to spend you have a nice budget. There are plenty of mills in that range.

Check out my local swap sheet, currently three mills listed, all within your budget.

http://www.wantaddigest.com/view/catlist26.asp?cat=MACH

Contrary to what I thought before I owned both, I use my lathe much more than my mill, although both are indispensable in rebuilding machines.

Pete

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:40 am

OK ...so i did find a mill but its a 9X36 table. Its in pretty good shape frome what I can tell. It has the bridgport power feed but its not in working condition and was told it had a few parts missing. I did get it for good price though and its only a few miles from my home.
Now the lathe............

RossR · Post by **RossR** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 12:43 pm

whoo hooo.....you can be a milling machine now!!! I see you are working on the lathe!!

Ross

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:31 pm

yes I may have fornd a heavy ten too.....steady rest 3 and 4 jaw chucks taper attachments locking collet handel collets threading dial face plate and dogs.....I think thats about it.......can't remember there was so much I was drooling at it....I'll have to look at the email and a lot less than I thought.

RossR · Post by **RossR** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:09 pm

sounds like a dream for sure!!! hope it works for you at a good price

Ross

crzypete · Post by **crzypete** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 3:12 pm

Cool, I love it when it all comes together. Now all we need are some pics to drool over.

I'm curious as well which powerfeed the mill came with? Bridgeport made several styles through the years.

The lathe sounds perfect, patience is the best deal.

Pete

mystry_tour · Post by **mystry_tour** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 7:39 pm

OK OK OK .....I'll get some pics when they get here. Pete do oyu have any sorces for parts for a Bridgeport power feed. I will get some good pics of that too. The wireing is going great. the 110 for recepticals and lights is finished. the 220 will be done tomorrow. Had to ask a questiong to the inspector about 2-220 lines on one circut and it was no so that can be finished tomorrow. The 3 ph will carry over to next week and the following week I am on vacation and will be setting nachines and arranging them so I can start makeing firewood and chips........