Opinions on this bridgeports value?

[metalmouth]

HI everyone.

I'm a newbie here........ and have been looking at buying a bridgeport for some hobby type machining I've been wanting to do. Here a link to this ebay auction and I was wondering what you all thought about the value of this machine. Heres the link
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...ME:X:RTQ:CA:11

Any thoughts on whether this is a decent deal or way too overpriced would be appreciated.

thanks guys.

[machintek]

To the right person this may be worth the starting bid and more. The Y axis ways look new. Thus probably low hours. Does the the head have any rattles?Are the ball screws ground or rolled? Be very careful climb miling with ball screws!

George

[metalmouth]

the seller doesnt mention what type of balls screws he put in it other than they are american made. Here is a reply he posted to me about the work he did on this machine and why......

"Thank you for your interest. I put up a picture of the serial
number so that anyone can find the exact date, but I think its
around 1980. ( website says 1978 on serial # search )

I did do a lot of work as you said, mainly because I enjoy
working on machines more than useing them. Once they are all
brought back as close to new as possible, I loose interest. I dont
know of any remaining tasks, the head was in fine shap and is
quiet. I bought the parts for high wear areas, but elected not to
fiddle with the head. I got a lot of advice to leave the workings
alone bcasue it wass not likley that you will make a good head
into a better one once you take it apart. "

any other questions I should ask? I'm canadian near vancouver so thsi will be a bit of an expense shipping it up.... but you cant seem to get good used bridgeports up here at a decent price. And now that i'm working with on par CDN $ i have a bit more of a budget.

Thanks again guys.

Ball screws are rolled from a company called STK machine rebuilders and another response from the vendor........

"I did not measure the back lash because there is none
appreciable, besides ball screws are non-adjustable so you get
what you get.

Keep in mind this is not a new machine by anymeans. Your
still getting an at least 20yr old machine, with some new parts.
The head is untouched, that would require experience to work
on, but its not needed here. "

so what do you think guys?

thanks again

[NC Cams]

What is "low/no" backlash to the owner may be MILES to you. Thus, you really should see and check the machine, especially backlash in person. The amount is not that high in light of the appearance and pieces/parts added - it would probabaly be a decent "core" to work from/with.

Depending on the brand and type of ball screw, you CAN remove some lash from them, providing they are of an appropriate type. Typically, however, rolled thread type are not tweakable - ground ones are/can be.

You probably can find something better/or worse. I'd rather have a factory built used head than a reworked unit by some aftermarket guy or DIY'er. Especially by someone who doesn't know what to do to rebuild a BPT head - these are/can be QUITE technique and part sensitive when it comes to redoing the head, especially the spindle and bearings.

The fact that there are NO drill holes in the table is always a good sign if you aske me....