prototrak vs. bridgeport

[JIMMY]

I am looking into buying a new mill with 2 axis control on it. My general manager is asking me to get one in house soon. I am going to have both companies come in and show me their stuff. I want to know from some other then the salesmen how they are.

[NC Cams]

Bridgeport is now merely a brand name owned by Hardinge. However, Hardinge is and has been a noted and respected machine tool builder for many, many years.

The "Bridgeport" stuff (outside the traditional mill) they're selling now is pretty much of Hardinge design and construction. HOwever, the "Bridgeport" mill that Hardinge is selling is pretty much a continuation of the very traditional design/construction that the now defunct Bridgeport Machine concieved and developed oh so many years ago - a truely proven classic if there ever is/was one.

The current "Bridgeport" 2/3D mill is a derivative of the V2XT and/or the Extrak that Bridgeport conceived/created in the mid-1990's. Bother were good/solid machines that do a days work with nary a wimper. I believe the new machines is/are/were using Anilam controllers (instead of the DX32 controllers that are used in my machines). But there were rumors that Hardinge has moved on to the use of something contemporary that they created in-house. The Bridgeport mill is essentially the same "iron" as it always was, however, so there are no surprises waiting for you there.

You might want to add Haas TM-1's to your list of consideration. This tool room mill is actually 4 axis capable and a true mini-VMC. Perhaps a bit too much but a LOT of capability ror the money.

For a simple 2D mill, you'd be hard pressed to find something that holds value better/more than a "Bridgeport". How else can you explain the continued sales appeal of "Bridgeport" mills that are 10, 15 or even 20 years old.

Whether or not ALL the current machines (VMC's, lathes, etc) are as robust as the namesake "Bridgeport" mills is something that I can't vouch for or assure.

HOwever, I can say that my assets are all "legacy" Bridgeport Machines creations that were made in the mid/late 90's in Bridgeport CT. Yes, I am a biased and proud owner of more than one "Bridgeport" machining centers (V2XT and 2.5D Extrak).

Both are superb machines that get a "wow, 2 Bridgeports!!!" comments when a young enthusiast visits my shop that I bought simply because they were "Bridgeports". Besides, I could have bought new imported ones for less than what I paid for the BPT's but they simply wouldn't hold their value.

[Stillearnn]

Hi,
I'm a long time user, 10 yrs, of prototrak retrofits on bridgeport mills as well as the DPM 3 axis bed mill. What exact models are you comparing from the two companies? What type of jobs do you want to run, materials? tolerances? quanities? hole concenticity requirements?

[jeep534]

There is also the hurco VM1
archie =) =) =)

[JIMMY]

I work at a mold shop and I have a manual mill department that would be greatly helped with a retrofit mills. We cut h-13, s-7, 420 ss. We will need to hold .001 tolerance on some of the work that would be in that department.