Help w/Bridgeport series1 textron CNC

[MrHorsepower]

I am considering the purchase of a Bridgeport Series 1 with a textron cnc controll. I can't seem to find much about it anywhere. Is anyone familiar with this? Will it do 3 axis? The people that I would be buying it from said they had it hooked to a PC based "cadkey" system but couldn't tell me about as the guy who ran it has left the co. I own bobcad 18 and use it frequently, will i be able to get the code to this machine? Does this setup lend itself to a new controll like from ah-ha or flashcut, etc. I would like to add a forth axis table some day. Any help would be great.-Dave

[Karl_T]

You've got a good candidate machine for a PC retrofit control. IMHO, Mach2 or Mach3 is your best bet for the control. There's a good how to series in Home Shop Machinist magazine for just this machine. And lots of folks on this NG can help out. You need to do a bunch of reading, first.

As to fourth axis, no problem. But I'd tackle that after you've got the rest of the machine up and running.

Karl

[MrHorsepower]

Thanks for the info. Do you know anything about the Textron Controll that is on the machine? The machine is in good working order and I would like to use it before I tackle the retrofit.-Dave

[Karl_T]

I programmed one a few times. No electrical expertise at all. They have a reputation as a total POS for repairs. IMHO, use till it breaks. Don't spend $.02 on repair when it does go.(Well, I might replace a fuse - once) Repalce it with Mach2/3.

I really like the series 1 mechanically. I like the versitility of a knee mill and its rigid for its size.

Karl

[MrHorsepower]

Will I just need the software and cables or will it need new "drivers". where can i get more info on Mach2/3

[braidmeister]

My recommendation would be to 'flushy flushy' the factory electronics and replace with Larken or Gecko stepper drives, breakout board and mach3 front end.

BobCAD will getcha going...but you may find it limiting in the future unless you are strictly doing hobby work.

-Brady

[digga_b]

Hello all, just found this site and have already learned quite a bit! I am planning on picking up my first mill this saturday and it happens to be what title of this thread is about (BP series 1 Textron). I'm sure I will have a few questions later on. Thanks!

[MrHorsepower]

Good to know I'm not the only Nubie out there.-Dave

[digga_b]

We all have to be newb's sometime!

[digga_b]

A little more info on mine, just paid for it and picked up all the manuals. Operating manual, Programming manual, Maintenance manual, and 2 parts manuals. It is a Series 1 V2E3 Boss 8. Comes with 2 spare spindles, 2 extra servo motors, 2 new belts, EZfile system. All this for $500, did I get a deal or what?

[machintek]

If the LCD display works, you got a deal. If it does not, I have NO idea where to get one.

George

[digga_b]

The LCD display does work. At least it did the last time I saw it run, which was about a year ago. How hard would it be to retrofit a pc control, or can it be done?