What is this machine worth? Bridgeport R2E3

[Rich05]

It looks pretty clean. don't know much about it. What is the range that this should sell for? Thanks


BRIDGEPORT TEXTRON CNC R2E3 SERIES 1 VERTICAL MILL NICE
SUPER CLEAN MILL. W/ COOLING + ELECTRONICS. WE CAN SHIP
Item Specifics - Mills, Milling-Type Machines
Type: CNC, Vertical
X-Axis Travel Bed: 26'' - 30''
Make:
Bridgeport
Y-Axis Travel Bed: 10'' - 15''
Model: R2E3
Z-Axis Travel Bed:Less than 10''
Model Year:
Highest Spindle Speed (RPM): 4001 - 4500
Serial Number: R2E3467

[cut more]

Rich,
I am in New England. I recently aquired 2 series 2 r2e3's for the cost of having them moved. I have seen the series 1 & series 2 go for , free up to 5K.
If you have never run a cnc you should do some homework like checking out different controls.
Do you have a budget or are you just wondering if that is a good deal?
Cutmore

[gus]

if it is a series 1, x travel is 18 inches

[CNC Pro]

Yesterday, I watched a running Bridgeport R2E3 at a Pennsylvania auction sell for $750.00.

[Rich05]

If you have never run a cnc you should do some homework like checking out different controls.

good info. why are these machines going so cheap??

Lots of folks so far have told me to "do my homework first", believe me I would read up on it but have found no sources that review the different controllers, and setups. How can I learn about the pros and cons of each machine. Each is so unique it is literally starting over with each case.

As for why I have inquired an assocate offered one to me for $6,000. I will get some more info on it.

R.

[wcarrothers1]

got mine for 1000. just a week ago. So they do go for pretty cheep.

Bidding started at around 600-700 on it.

How ever I'm pretty darn sure my X travel is quite a bit more then 18" Can measure tonight.

b.

[Rich05]

what is wrong with these machines why so cheap?

[wcarrothers1]

Some people think they are trouble (watching people pass the one I bid on).. Others who are using them say they are work horses.

Personaly I see a bridgeport body (ie all the main parts that make up a manual mill) that is going for dirt cheep in relation to manual mills selling in auctions right next to it. For example where I got mine 3 or 4 lots before it went up was a manual mill (off brand Newport or something) with 2 asix dro, pretty loose table that went for 1,100 bucks..

In light that my R2E3 seems to run and such I'd say I got the better deal..

I still have to set it back up after the move and have not run my first cnc program. But if it happens the controller is not to my likeing I'll just interface it with my Mach setup and call it a day. In that case I got a pretty large mill, with servos, ball screws, huge table, coolant, auto spindle, auto draw bar, and everything to make a pretty darn good basement cnc machine with out having to do what would have amounted to a full conversion to a previously manual bridgeport (ie adding screws and such to it)..

So over all I'd say mine was a good deal. Hopefully I will remain convinced of that. Only thing I think I will want to add is a manual lever for operating Z but oh well.

b.

[gus]

If it is a series one, it is 18 inches, only the very very late explorer had a longer travel.

If those servo boss machines are going this cheap, theya re a great deal. Just don't expect much from the control

[wcarrothers1]

Gus.. Unless I'm measuring wrong and the stops have been set in the wrong place for 20+ to ingage the home and limit on x I have 25" travel.. Table is some 42" long as well incase that helps figure anything

Mine is a S 1 2V3E - 270 (serial) It's from ~85 but don't know what late or early would be but I'm curious if I might have something special..hehe

Unless you are talking about Y but I thought Y only had ~12"

Cool to hear any info ya have about them

b.

[gus]

not at all the same machine. yours is not a rigid ram I take it

[CNC Pro]

Why are they so cheap? Well, that’s all relative I suppose.
You need to determine what you really need the CNC to do.
And also, what you have to work with.
These machines can and do perform production work, but they lack an automatic tool changer usually preferred when running longer production runs.
For smaller production/one-off work, the more universal “J-head” styles of “Bridgeport” machines with CNC seem very popular. Their user-friendly PC based controls are more easily adapted to small shop/ homeowner applications (i.e. smaller power requirements, weight, footprint, etc).
Now for the $6,000.00, you could shop around, and find a small used CNC machine center with ATC, more horsepower, etc. But does your facilities have the power, air, accessibility, sound enough foundation to support such a machine?
But if the machine your currently looking at is clean and in good shape, and have an immediate need, then I guess it’s worth it.
Like I said, it’s all-relative.