Used Bridgeport - What to look for?

[smird]

I have been offered a used Bridgeport Mill, and I need to know what to look for before accepting it. I will be going to look at it on Saturday. This is what I know so far, the information may be incorrect, but this is what I’m told.

The mill was made in the 1940s maybe 1950s.
The current owners husband (a tool and die maker Retired) bought it and
rebuilt it. (knowing this family sparred no expense (this is a guess)) used
It for a very brief time probably less than a year when he died

The machine has been sitting for about 20 years. I’ve been told there is no rust

I get the mill and every thing that goes with it. (don’t know what that means maybe vises endmills ect.)

The machine is free to me the only cost will be moving it.

so the questions:
what do I need to look for and at?
Is there any tests that should be done?
Does anyone know a good machinery mover in So. California?

Keep in mind I do want to convert to cnc.
I have a Taig and a Rong Fu but nothing of this size
I’ll take my camera and post some pictures when I look at it.

Thanks for your help
Brad Stilley

[Mcgyver]

same thing happened to me once, then i woke up!

the obvious things to look for is wear - ways, screws (although if you are converting that won't matter) spindle bearings etc. Even if every surface & bearing is shot its still a great deal for free! There is nothing that cannot be restored and even if you threw everything else out, it would still be nice set of castings to start from for making a cnc machine

once you have a mill of this size you won't want to give it up. You might find yourself wanting to use the mill to make cnc mill rather than convert it because it's so darn handing having a heavy (by home standards) manual mill around the garage!

[ViperTX]

Get a big trailer/truck and haul it home....a no-brainer in my book.

[smird]

Thought about hauling myself. But I would need a fork lift at both
location (both are home garages) By the time a rent a trailer that
Can hold a forklift and the mill. Go figure out how to get it out
of the garage ( forklift may not fit in the garages) on to the trailer
get the forklift back on the trailer then do the opposite on the other end.
I may just want to pay someone. Depending on the price.

Brad

[Al_The_Man]

I have done it a few times, you need a couple of 4' or 5' pry bars and about 1/2 dozen lengths of 1" black pipe 3ft long. Once its out of the Garage I got a local guy with a flatbed fitted with a hydraulic crane lift rated for around 3500lbs. Same thing the other end only in reverse.
Some of the Tow truck operators have this kind of rig.
Al

[smird]

Well I found a company that will move it for $250.00 by the time I rent a trailer, forklift drop it on my foot go to the emergency room pay may Insurance deductible. I can't beat the price.

Now I can't wait till Saturday to find out the condition, Model, Accessories ect.

Brad

[machintek]

In have used a automotive tow truck to lift a machine out of the back of a truck at a private home and place it as far as his boom would go into a garage.

Here at home I used my 1000LB engine hoist to take off the head, ram and turret as a unit. Then I lifted the base by the "spyder" and put it in my garage. I got it there by the use of a Uhaul trailer. The engine hoist was used at both ends. the only problem I had was getting the base of the hoist beneath the trailer to keep the CG as far back as possible.

A machine from that period will have grease fittings and a J head. Still an excellent deal.

George

[jdelaney44]

I paid $250 to have mine moved from Irwindale to Huntington Beach. Seems to be the going rate 'round here. It was almost worth it to watch one guy move 2200 lbs of steel around by himself. Impressive.

When you get it home you'll want to check it in all dimensions for squareness and to see if it's running true. Just so you know where it's at.

If it was scraped in during the restoration you should be good to go.

Wow. Great find.

[smird]

Yeah I'm just going to spend the $250.00 by the time I rent a trailer
and such It's not worth it. What company did you use to move it?

Does anyone have manuals for these old machines? Where do I need
to oil before firing it up.

I would like to run it a her house if it's still hooked up. But if its
been sitting there for 20 year I probably should wait utill I have
time to tear it down a bit and inspect it carefully.

Brad

[jdelaney44]

Brad, I got the machine at Reliable Tool (626)472-7377. The movers name was Gabriel. I lost his card. I imagine if you call Reliable they could find his number for you.

I have a CD available at www.quarterbore-inc.com that has several manuals on it. $20.00. Well worth it <IMHO>.

There's a serial number list out on the web that crosses S/N with date of manufacture. Just Google "Bridgeport serial number" or something like that. Just good info to know.

Mine had lubrication instructions on the side of the head. But it was made in 1982.

[smird]

Well bummer, I have educated my friend the machine was neither a Bridgeport nor a mill. He was certain There was a mill in there but she hadn't opened her garage in years. So this was what was free.



They also had a lathe and some other cool stuff but her son wanted them.

Oh well thank for your help. I guess I just have to save my pennies
like everyone else.

Brad

[machintek]

Well, you could grind shafts. Sorry that your hopes were dashed.

George