Need Help!- Bridgeport series 2-opinions and info needed

[RP Designs]

I am looking at a Bridgeport series 2 CNC mill but I don't know much about them. It looks to have a decent work envelope 30x15x5 in in the x,y and z respectively, but I don't see if it has additional knee travel as well. I like that it is a closed loop system although it is an older mill (1983 vintage).

Can anyone give me some feedback on this mill. Are there any known problems with this particular machine? Are parts readily available? What are the things I should know and what are the going prices for this particular machine? Thanks in advance.

[gus]

what machine is closed loop from 1983?

The SII is some great iron, the knee travels as in the SI, but I think air assisted

[RP Designs]

This is the info from the description:
"Closed Loop w/ Encoder Feedback"

Here's the complete specifications from the ad:


*
Big Travels X - 30", Y - 15", Z - 5"
*
60-4200 Rpm VariSpeed, 2HP (1.5Kw)
*
X & Y Axis Rigid Boxed Way Design
*
Universal QS200 or Erickson #30 Spindle
*
250 IPM Max Rapid Traverse
*
.1- 100 IPM Cutting Feed Rate
*
10-120% Feed Rate Override w/ Hold
*
Continuous Jog Rate 150 IPM all Axes
*
Increment Step & Jog Handwheel Modes
*
G-Code Programming w/ Canned Cycles
*
Both Mist & Flood Coolant Outputs
*
RS232 Serial Port w/ DNC Software
*
12Kb Battery Backed Program Memory
*
2 x 16 LCD Display
*
Powerful 40 lb/in DC Servo Motors
*
Closed Loop w/ Encoder Feedback
*
Servo/Input Resolution .0001"
*
Positioning Accuracy - .0008" / Repeatability .0003"
*
Bijur Auto Central Lube System
*
Air Requirements 4 CFM @ 100 PSI
*
Power 208-230v (3Phase Only) / 30Amp Service
*
Air Assisted Manual Knee & Special Dual Knee Locks
*
Table Workpiece Capacity 1000 lbs.
*
Floor Area 92" x 97"
*
Height 89"
*
Shipping Weight 5000 lbs.

Now, I am very new to this and only have a little bit of CNC experience on some 3 axis BP's at school. I have been leaning towards something like the Tormach mill but I have run across some knee mills which are selling for decent prices. My concerns are the age of the machine (more for the controls than the mechanicals) and whether or not it is worth it. If it is a true closed loop system (which I am skeptical about given the age) it may be worth it, but again I think my ignorance makes it difficult to make an informed decision.

[machintek]

the 2 line LCD means that it is a R2E3 BOSS8. The 15 inch Y means it is a series 2.

George

[RP Designs]

Yes, but given the machines age is this a good machine to buy? Will I need to upgrade the control? Will parts fail frequently? Are there replacements readily available? Is buying this mill better than something like a hobbyist machine (i.e. Tormach etc)?

[gus]

machinetek can best respond to the reliability of the control, but the basic iron and servo system is a pretty good package, and the series 2 is a pretty beefy machine. Not bad

On the other hand, VMC's can be had in the 10k range these days....

[RP Designs]

anyone else have any info or feedback to offer?

[Jim Bass]

Hi,

All I can offer is my experience, I have a BOSS 8 with stock controls. Have owned it for about five years. It just keeps cranking out parts. I have never had one single problem. I run it three to four times a week in the evening.

Where I work we have a Bridgeport V2XT that I operate. In fifteen years at 40 hours a week it has had one loose electrical connection that took a little effort to find and fix.

Jim

[tpmx57]

I have a Series II and am running Mach 3 with one of Dereks breakout boards.
I am very happy as far as how solid the machine is.
The travel of the series 2 is a plus.
Other than twice blowing transistors the machine has been perfect.
You would be happy with it.

[RP Designs]

Originally Posted by tpmx57 I have a Series II and am running Mach 3 with one of Dereks breakout boards. I am very happy as far as how solid the machine is. The travel of the series 2 is a plus. Other than twice blowing transistors the machine has been perfect. You would be happy with it.

Cna you tell me more about your set-up with mach3? What is the cost and is it pretty straight forward. One thing I would like is to be able to add a fourth axis so I might have to change the control anyway.

[hmc710]

We've been running one for a couple years now with TNC145 control. Machine is what it is, great by 1980's stds, old but worthy, in my opinion, today. Comes down to price and use, if you are comparing it to hand machining, it great. If you are bidding on a large order, do your homework. Its been a great first cnc machine for us.

[zafarsalam]

I bought Series II interact 2 some 3 years ago. Ran it on TNC145 control till 5 months ago when I changed it with Mach3 and AC servo motors. The old control was working fine. Switchover was because I needed 3d contouring and bigger gcode files on it. Otherwise TNC145 and original DC servo motors were running perfectly. It's mechanical structure is in excellent condition for a machine dated 1985-86 or so. After switching to Mach3, I am thinking why didn't I do it earlier. Productivity of the machine has increased remarkably due to Mach3. I am putting together a 4th axis these days for this machine.

Zafar