Originally Posted by SupermotoAbuser  Ill be looking on ebay and craigslist for a used bridgeport of larger mill. Anywhere else I can look? |
I would actually only use ebay as a guide, purchasing through ebay can be very expensive once you start adding transport costs(unless you find a local), and you cannot look(unless local) at the machine you have purchased. There two places I would start, first is look up the registered auctioneers for your state, see if they have lists for auctions and if they have websites which many do these days. The other option is to look used machinery dealers, they tend have alot of bridgeports but also want more since they themselves go to auctions and buy them.
One of the other things is go to your school teacher and seen when and if they are going to upgrade there current equipement, often buisnesses give away machines as right offs, esp if you live in a tax hell state like I do. Schools will often turn around and sell or auction those machines off. The same thing goes with tech colleges and universties. Auctions can be listed in local newspapers along with plane old for sale seciton. Sheriff auctions, federal auctions(GSA), and state auctions are also listed looking under the agency. I would go to a couple auctions and watch as they can be a unique experience esp if you have ever been to a farm auction. You will need to take an adult and all of the ones I deal with take 10% over sale(plus tax) and only cash, or a certiified letter from your bank with an account limit.
Another type of mill you might come across is the Hardinge Um, its in my opionion better but its a horz. and you can get a vertical head for it. But that is one of those he says/ she says arguments. There are anumber of good american mills, clausing/atlas, k&t(these tend to be big), hardinge, cincinnati(spelling) and B&S(be warned they use their own taper).
Some things you need to watch for are the spindle taper, and votlage hook up and any unusal add ons like hang on cnc(they are pain to fix and hard to find parts for). I personally would avoid gear and variable speed head bridgeports sticking with the 2 speed(hi-lo)multi belt desgin.You need to figure out your power budget also, if you only have single phase power you are going to be limited to about 2HP motor. You need to determine maxium amperge and votlage that you have, plus figure running lamps and heaters etc.
chris