Bridgeport Help Please

[pofo]

Good Day,

I'm picking up a Series 1 Bridgeport. I assume there is a bolthole at the top of the ram that is used to mount DROs and maybe even be a large bolt hole for an eyebolt to lift it. Can anyone tell me what size bolt holes are on the top? I want to put an eyebolt in it to use as a tiedown point to stabilize the unit when shipping it on a flatbed.

I will use the shaper hole in the back, but I need something more forward on the ram to tie it down as well.

Any other means to tie it down are welcome.

Thanks.

[HimyKabibble]

Just wrap a strap around the ram, between the base and head.

Regards,
Ray L.

[pofo]

Yes, that was my backup plan. But it's not clear from the pictures I have that I can pull the straps tight at the neck (the head rotation point) a 45 degree forward and downward angle without putting stress on some knob or control on the head.

I want to put two straps pulling down and backward and two pulling down and forward.

Thanks,

[HimyKabibble]

Anything that could possibly interfere with the straps is easily removed by just taking out a few bolts.

Regards,
Ray L.

[mactec54]

If you tilt the head over support it off the table with some wood

The eye-bolt is 5/8unc this is your best place to tie down from as you thought, Bring 2 tie downs from the eye bolt down to the front at a angle & use the back shaper hole to tie down from the back the same way 2 tie-downs going out at a angle, I even made a bracket for the hole in the back with a big eye in it just for moving these machines it the easiest way & safest

You can also lift the machine from the eye-bolt as well just make sure everything is nice & tight

[colin1544]

Hello the best and safest way to transport a series 1 is move the turret slightly forward drop the knee low down and rotate the head 180 degrees put a block of wood in between the top of the motor and bed and strap down around the knee and one throught the lifting eye bolt, this way it keeps all of the top heavy weight low down. This is the way that bridgeports used to deliver new machines. cheers Colin.

[pofo]

Thanks Gentlemen,

I now feel confident about picking up my first mill. Very exciting.

[Hayworthmilling]

What kind of rigging equipment do you have?

If you have a forklift and a trailer with a wooden bed, consider lag screwing the machine to a skid and screwing the skid into the trailer bed.

[pofo]

Yes, that was my plan. I will have a flatbed truck. I will not have the mill on a skid, but I will put 2x or 4x4 boards around the base and screw those down to prevent movement of the base. I can also run some screws through the base to the bed of the truck.