Another "new" Mill !!!!! !-)

[ww_kayak]

Well it's pretty well worn, a few bumps and bruises, but it's workable ( Isn't it?). It came from a local technical training center (BOCES). I know the kids abuse these things, but I don't think they actually get too many hours on them. (time will tell). The X-axis has 60-70 thousands backlash!!, and the Y has 20. Looking at the serial number it appears to be 1971. Turns out it was only a stones throw from my house, 1.8 miles from door to door. So, after negotiation, I basically paid asking price with free delivery: $1500 :-) I'm happy, considering that mills, in much worse condition, go for alot more on ebay sometimes. Here's a few pics: ( I know most luv pics, but if this is too many, just smack me upside the head.)

Anybody see anything I should be aware of? I'm not familiar enough with these mill to even know what may or may not be there :-( I see a few empty spots and missing screws.

I'll rebuild it $omeday soon. I'd love to have it look like mxtras

[Dar]

it all looks good to me.thats a very good price.BUT if you keep setting pop cans on the table it will rust little circles on it.
getting it delivered was a great idea
Dar

[ww_kayak]

LOL, I knew somebody would catch that. I actually kinda cringed when I did it (for scale), but the can has been out there for months

[ZipSnipe]

Suuwweeett!!!

[damae]

Nice mill ww_kayak! If you want your mill to look like Mxtras' mill, there are a lot of good threads about how to clean and repaint a mill.

Barry Ward removed an amazing amount of grime by pressure washing. I wish I knew about that technique before I shoehorned my mills into my garage. I have too much equipment in close proximity to dare spraying water in my garage! It looks like you have more space; you might be able to do it with by putting up a plastic screen to shield your other equipment. Simple green also works wonders!

http://www.barryfish.com/theshizarrives/

About the backlash -- you might find that there is .060" backlash in the center of travel, but much less out at the extremes of travel. Especially if that's the case, I'd suggest going with a nice ballscrew replacement. Nook and others make very reasonably-priced rolled ballscrews.

Great job with the pictures; keep us posted as your project progresses!

[Dar]

sorry kayak i just couldn,t resist. the ball screw is a very good idea. or go to a dro. then slop is imaterial.
Dar

[Cruiser]

Looks like you bought a great hunk of cast iron there, and if you referb it and cnc it you can have a great machine too. Take it apart now and get started ! start with cleanup and then getting the primary slideways flat and true again then ........ !

[Kevin Taylor]

Kayak good buy since a good slow drillpress will set you back more than this did the way's show why it's so inportant to have way cover's and lub The next ad down the page might be worth investagating it's a beedblast cabnet don't know if you have the room or the money but there priceless when it comes to restoring machine tool's Great deal especialy with the free delivery
Carry on Kevin

[snakebit95]

Now that is a MAN's shop!! Look at that BIG SCREEN next to the new mill. I barely have room to move in my shop, much-less room for a television. Must be nice!!

[ww_kayak]

damae: Thanks, and I was just skimming your BOSS3 retrofit. With threads like that, I'm having a hard time focusing on my real job :-) BTW, there is still 50+ of backlash at the ends of the table, but I do have a gallon of simple green

cruiser: I am definitely going to get it refurbed. I'm still deciding how carried away I should get as far as CNC/Ballscrews go. ( ya, who am I kidding, precision ground...) I just hope I can find good local shop to do the ways and such.

Kevin: Ya, thanks, like I need motivation to by more tools

Snake: The only reason the TV is there is because the damn thing won't fit in this tiny house I just moved into

Well I just ordered a hitachi L200-015NFU VFD, so at least I can run it once or twice before I rip it apart :-)

[snakebit95]

Ahhh........I see now. That explains the couch in-front of the T.V. too.

[UKRobotics]

Originally Posted by damae If you want your mill to look like Mxtras' mill, there are a lot of good threads about how to clean and repaint a mill.

Any chance of a few links ?

I would like to repaint (or at least touch-up) my bridgeport mill but painting really isnt somthing I know much about and I dont want to use something that is a) going to do me serious harm or b) dissolve when coolant/oil splashes onto it.

I've been told that "2 Pack" paint is the toughest stuff you can get, its a two-part epoxy/urathene paint used on cars and machine tools but it is also highly toxic and the only way you can spray it safely is with a full face mask fed with either compressed air from a bottle or a separate compressor positioned outside and well away from the paint area. The expense of such a setup is too much for me and I wouldnt want to risk using it without the protective gear.

Are there other less lethal paints which will still provide good protection for the machine?