I am a relative newbie. I have a BP series 1 ridgid ram using the Hill Billy board and Mach 3. The control works well. I have a few mill related problems that I would like some help with
1) There is significant (.020) play in the ways on my table (along the Y axis) under heavy cutting load. Is it common for these to need to be tightened?
2) I have pnuematic spindle lock on my machine. It works, but it is always "ON". I have the bridgeport manuals and I looked at the pneumatic diagram, but I can't tell how the solenoid valve gets energized. Can someone let me know where the power comes from for the air solenoid? Is it wired through the E stop?
3) I have mechanical speed control, and it does not seem to change the speed at all. Also, when I put it into "high" speed, there is very little power coming out of the spindle (too tool stalls easily). Is this a worn belt or other issue?

Thanks much!

Mark

I have to find a schematic but if you have one, it may be wrong. Some machines had a manual brake. Some had the electric brake. On a modified machine, all bets are off.

George

This shows the brake option.

If you had to rewire your machine transformers from 480 to 220 volts, the spindle has to be reconnected for 220 also.

Darek

George and Darek,
Thanks for your replies. Here are a couple of pix. From the schematic, it looks like that there should be a brake switch. I don't have one, so I am guessing that I don't have a factory pneumatic brake. I traced the air lines back to the transformer cabinet, so I'll have to start there.
Good catch on the motor, I don't think I ever rewired it for 220/3ph. Thanks!

Mark