Bridgeport found, tune up before running...

[srmaietta]

All, I am recently employed at a HighSchool with a technology lab. Turns out they have a Bridgeport from either the old metal shop or auto shop. It hasn't been run in i'd say 5 years at least. There is light surface rust on all bare metal, and the handwheels are tight to turn. I havent checked if the axis are unlocked, maybe they've been tightened down at some point..?

also, I noticed a crunchy sound/feeling as I pull down on the feed handle, sounds like there are chips somewhere in the spindle as I pull the handle down. I haven't tried to move the knee yet..

Good thing is that they want me to get it running and are supportive, and there is a nice rotary table in the room. I haven't searched for clamps, collets or tooling yet, we'll see what I find..

Ill try to snap a few pics so youall can see what Im working with here, hopefully you can offer a tip or 10 about waking this beast up!

Where should I start?

thanks!

~Steve

[Al_The_Man]

One thing I would check out is the lube system, the way oil has probabally gelled in the pump and lines, it often pays to flush the whole system and replace the metering fittings that are at the end of every line.
Al.

[srmaietta]

Well, I spent a few hours with the machine today and the prognosis is good. Instead of light rust everywhere, it turns out that the red color was just dried oil or cosmoline, becasue after a roll of paper towels and a can of degreaser, its actually one of the nicest bridgeports Ive ever seen in person! Actually looks barely used.. : ) J head, autofeed quill with motor drive on the table and a coolant system inplace.. (rusted out tank though) Rotary table and vise to boot!

The lube system wasn't gelled, I pulled the plunger and noticed oil weeping out from the ways, so I began cleaning things and pumping that oiler.. The knee moves so smoothly, quite easily.. I put some oil in the head cups, engaged low range, powered it up and turned the motor on... no problems, weird noises or play - everything is smooth!! The table motor feed works great, even the lightbulb in the worklamp still works!! Ive only got one 3/16 collet, no bits, no clamp set, no wrench for any of the head adjustment bolts (what size?) no drawbar wrench either.. But overall I'm very pleased with today!!! I went from a questionable doorstop that certain people wanted to get rid of to a running, nice machine!

One thing.... I am able to pull the table about a quarter of an inch back and forth (x-axis left/right) this seems way out of line considering that the machine really looks almost brand new.. can I adjust this out using the adjustment screws on the yoke (dogbone)? It seems to be almost too much movement to be called backlash - but thats what it is..


thanks alot!

~Steve -happy camper!

[machintek]

Check the bearing stack up on the left side of the table. That is the no backlash bearing. The other place you may have such play is if the feed nut retaining screw has backed out. Look at the underside of the left side of the table into the saddle. A flashlight helps. This is where you adjust the backlash. A new machine has .007 thou or less backlash per the factory.

George

[srmaietta]

Thanks George, will do!

~Steve

[mxtras]

Sounds like you have real winner!

Scott

[srmaietta]

yeah Im pretty happy.. I didn't even know this was there until the first day of the new job! Next will be the old lathe in the corner.. Defninitely not a brand new machine under cosmoline, but its a good size and the wheels turn pretty smoothly, so it should be turning parts pretty soon I guess. Needs a new fwd/stop/reverse box and I think it'll be ready to go after a bit of cleaning/oiling.

~steve