bridgeport mill restoration

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thought id put up some pics of the mill im rebuilding ,     my current project .    i know i always   like seen progress pics  and builds being completed .        i pretty much have a pasion for restoreing  old  machines  of any type .   though alot of times there not worth nearly what i put into them ..    i still enjoy it   .if any one has pics of a machine  of any type that ur restoreing   , id like  pics on this thread  . and what ur all doing to it .   thanks Attached Images
Reply:NICE! I'm subscribed.72 Chevy Cummins Project94 3500HD Welding Rig build Sold NOV 2011
Reply:Hmm.... Some assembly required. .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I redid a 1960 Bridgeport J a couple years ago, I will look for the pictures, but I think I lost them in the divorce also........it came out nice, took a long time. You find lots of things that need fixin when you start taking something apart...
Reply:My next machine purchase is going to be a bridgy. Very nice job on the rebuild! Looks great! Are you going to run 3 phase?
Reply:Great job. I can appreciate the time and effort you have put into this project, having recently completed a lengthy restoration project of my own.I love it when somebody saves a piece old iron and puts it back to work. Here are some pics of my restoration of a 100 year old Becker Mill that was being loaded on to a truck for the scrap yard before my cousin and I rescued it. Ready to be assembled!!
Reply:Here are pics of the finished mill.
Reply:Originally Posted by Thiel-Metal-Fabthought id put up some pics of the mill im rebuilding ,     my current project .    i know i always   like seen progress pics  and builds being completed .        i pretty much have a pasion for restoreing  old  machines  of any type .   though alot of times there not worth nearly what i put into them ..    i still enjoy it   .if any one has pics of a machine  of any type that ur restoreing   , id like  pics on this thread  . and what ur all doing to it .   thanks
Reply:tool junkie -  very impressive work  ,  they definitly dont build machines  like they use to !  how much time u figure u have in the becker mill   ?>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:Originally Posted by LarrysmachineThiel-Metal-FabDid you have to scrape the ways in or were they in fair shape. Nice looking work so far by the way!
Reply:Mr. Thiel,Thats a beautiful color, and you clearly do very good work. Looking forward to seeing more of this [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Before 15" Clausing Drill Press.  Total rebuild, bearings, belt, chuck, sand blast and powder coat, works like a champ, worth the effort because it's a variable speed.
Reply:KO LEE Tool and Cutter Grinder Rebuild
Reply:Current Project Under Way--16" South Bend with 7 foot bed, it's a beast!
Reply:Originally Posted by Thiel-Metal-Fabtool junkie -  very impressive work  ,  they definitly dont build machines  like they use to !  how much time u figure u have in the becker mill   ?
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWHmm.... Some assembly required.
Reply:I like the Bp round ram. My first mill was an old round ram.I must say, though, I hate the color! That is just me. I prefer the original machine tool colors.Keep up the rest of the good work but I will never allow you to paint my homehttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everything
Reply:nice builds guys love seeing old machines saved and taken care of 350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:Originally Posted by Thiel-Metal-Fabyes   rescraped the  knee  ways & table ways and polished  ,im still working on the y axis    and waiting for a new gib .  very time consuming .   i did not  frost any of the ways . although i wish i would have  .
Reply:Originally Posted by greenbuggyHow long did it take you to do that?  I am wanting to rescrape my 1944 BP but worry about how much downtime I'll have while I do that and the machine isn't able to work or make me any money.  Do you have any pics?  How did you go about scraping in a new gib?Scraping fascinates me, I've bought a couple books and some tools but haven't got a surface plate or camelback yet, still learning.
Reply:Originally Posted by jackalopeGo over on to PracticalMachinist.com and look up the member  Forrest Addy. He provides scraping classes throughout the country and is a contributing writer to Home Shop Machinist IIRC.It is definately an art that I don't possess!Grant
Reply:Originally Posted by jackalopeI like the Bp round ram. My first mill was an old round ram.I must say, though, I hate the color! That is just me. I prefer the original machine tool colors.Keep up the rest of the good work but I will never allow you to paint my home
Reply:Originally Posted by Tool JunkieAt at a guess- 150 hours+.  I had to take it down to the last nut and bolt and to the bare castings and then bondo and sand everything smooth ,as the castings under the mystery sludge( where there was any) were very rough.Then I had to design and build a drive system for it( it was originally driven by overhead shaft), build several missing parts with a couple of grainy pictures as reference and repair the broken overarm clamp.  I have to say though that this was one of the most satisfying projects I have ever undertaken and I have an amazing tool to show for it.This beast will easily hog off .100" at a wack from a 4" wide steel work piece and hold tolerance to within .001" across the whole travel of the table.They sure built stuff to last.  I hope your project goes well, and post progress pics when you can.
Reply:Originally Posted by 200mphbusaBefore 15" Clausing Drill Press.  Total rebuild, bearings, belt, chuck, sand blast and powder coat, works like a champ, worth the effort because it's a variable speed.
Reply:I hope you didn't take my comment about the color in a negative way! I have a section of my shop with blue but all are welder and the racks they reside on/in. You are doing a good job with the rebuild. Can I ask, how did you clean the components? Everything is really clean and sorted. Make sure that when you go to reassemble, that you use the correct lube depending on location.If you have any questions, there is a fella that goes by Sidecar580 over on the PM website. He rebuilds Bridgeports all the time and is very good at what he does. He was very helpful when I rebuilt the head in my variable speed Bp.Keep up the good work and stay with it. Granthttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everythingLove it! I'm always watching clist for a bridgeport... always lusted after one.
Reply:Originally Posted by jackalopeI hope you didn't take my comment about the color in a negative way! I have a section of my shop with blue but all are welder and the racks they reside on/in. You are doing a good job with the rebuild. Can I ask, how did you clean the components? Everything is really clean and sorted. Make sure that when you go to reassemble, that you use the correct lube depending on location.If you have any questions, there is a fella that goes by Sidecar580 over on the PM website. He rebuilds Bridgeports all the time and is very good at what he does. He was very helpful when I rebuilt the head in my variable speed Bp.Keep up the good work and stay with it. Grant
Reply:Talking about colors I noticed many of my bought tools and carts are red with black trim. Is red and black like that standard color? After I started looking I was amazed at how much stuff was red in my shop.
Reply:parts washer , tool boxes , air compressor , belt sander   .   i see ur point lol    red & black is pretty popular  so it seems>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:more  updates  ,   not a real  lot , but got the spindle  bearings  etc all setup and installed  ,   pinion drive and return spring   ,  some of the feed drive .. and also threw one in there of the KURT VISE   i just got done restoring , need the decals though ?.................................................    the  caseings  on top are just setting up there , trying  to decide if i should  paint  or  polish the aluminum  ????   any sugestions Attached ImagesLast edited by Thiel-Metal-Fab; 06-23-2011 at 03:02 PM.>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:Beautiful! What kind of paint did you use?
Reply:I vote for a polish on the aluminum housing! On another note, if you ever have a problem with your return quill spring lock, you can put a small neodymian magnet on the large clocking nut close to the quill lock. Works so much better than the original spring! ;-)Another mod I did on mine was I took the quill handle off and put on a wheel about the size of a small sterring wheel. It allows much finer control over the quill as there is no slop in it.Granthttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everything
Reply:Originally Posted by jackalopeI vote for a polish on the aluminum housing! On another note, if you ever have a problem with your return quill spring lock, you can put a small neodymian magnet on the large clocking nut close to the quill lock. Works so much better than the original spring! ;-)Another mod I did on mine was I took the quill handle off and put on a wheel about the size of a small sterring wheel. It allows much finer control over the quill as there is no slop in it.Grant
Reply:When I redid my J Head, I polished the upper belt case (whatever its called) it wasnt as tough as I thought. Nice job to do and have a couple beers and relax......haha. Machine looks great! I did the traditional gray (I used Rustoleum Machine Gray I think its called, brush and roller)  You learn alot about your machine and how it works by taking it apart like you did, plus find any problems.
Reply:Okay I'm gonna try polishing it...   so far I've learned a lot about this machine and millls in genral .thanks for all the compliments guys>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:got some more picture updates of the mill project.   just so everyone  knows im  only 25  and money is a limiting factor in how fast i can put this thing together.  but i think thats a issue with everyone and there projects for the most part.     just gotta make or rebuild each piece.   it would be nice to just go buy all new parts. but thats just not possiable. iill get pictures posted up in the next hour or so.>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:okay   , have more  pics  of progress  .......     still a long way to go  it seems lol   . enjoy Attached Images>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:and  few more ......... Attached Images>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:That's looking real nice.  From what I can see, that car is pretty sweet also!
Reply:yea great job on the mill...  you can really come over and restore my '72 j-head if you want, i'll even buy the beer.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by bruceryea great job on the mill...  you can really come over and restore my '72 j-head if you want, i'll even buy the beer.
Reply:Originally Posted by Thiel-Metal-Fabdo u have any pics of that mill and setup?
Reply:some  more updates ..( not a real lot )   Building  the motor  adaptor plate ,     setting  up pulleys and alignment  .. etc         ..............Enjoy Attached Images>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:Coming along very nicely! Can I ask what motor you are using? Additionally, if it is not 3 phase with reversing drum switch, how will you reverse it if you are power tapping, etc.Also, how will you change the belt speed? IIRC the step pulley J head motor is on a pivot that allows it to swing in to slack the belt and allow for tension/speed changes/etc.Granthttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everything
Reply:3 phase     1 1/2 HP  motor with  a hitachi   inverter ,  and yes   i  still  will be setting  up  the motor to pivot    to change spindle speeds  ,      i read  something some were   that its not a good idea  to slow  the motor with  the  inverter  ,  i guess u   lose  hp  ,  i think  .  but  not 100%  on that  .   maybe u know more  on this subject   and wouldnt mind  shareing ?>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:Originally Posted by Thiel-Metal-Fab3 phase     1 1/2 HP  motor with  a hitachi   inverter ,  and yes   i  still  will be setting  up  the motor to pivot    to change spindle speeds  ,      i read  something some were   that its not a good idea  to slow  the motor with  the  inverter  ,  i guess u   lose  hp  ,  i think  .  but  not 100%  on that  .   maybe u know more  on this subject   and wouldnt mind  shareing ?
Reply:Motor  plate  made ,  welded  tabs on  plate  and smoothed out ,     took  awhile   to  get all  the holes  just right   so motor  would  swivel   correctly   and freely  , i think  i measured and checked  20 times   lol    .....  so    another   piece to the puzzle   done ,  still a  ways to go  .        jackalope     >>    all the steel parts are  polished     piece by piece  ,   forgot  u asked about that  . Attached Images>Innovations are what i leave behind for History
Reply:Originally Posted by jackalopeYou say you have an "inverter"?? Do you mean you have a static phase converter? or do you have a variable frequency drive? If you are just using a static phase converter, then, yes, you are only operating your motor at 2/3 the rated horsepower. As for if it will damage the motor, the answer is no. I ran my first Bridgeport on a static phase converter and it did absolutely fine.Grant
Reply:Originally Posted by Thiel-Metal-Faband   yes i have a variable  frequency  drive ,       But    i read some were    ( may have been one of ur old posts )    that   ur shouldnt   use the  drive to change  motor  speeds   at  low   rpms  , because  u lose  HP  ?       correct  me if im wrong  .
Reply:nice job , looks good...  you ought to paint the bridgeport lettering on the front and sides in a metallic silver or white, that would look great.(kind of looks like you already started painting the lettering)what brand and color paint are you using?  i have an old kurt vise i need to paint.i'm using a vfd on my '72 j-head. (G.E. vat20, same as a teco fm50) you just dont want to change the frequency alot at lower rpms... when i programmed my vfd i only gave it 20hz +/- variance, pretty much for fine tuning and possibly cutting down on gear changes.....     in low gear if you slow the motor down alot it can overheat the motor.. when you slow it down via the vfd the motor could run too slow for the fan to cool the motor..  thats why i only give it 40hz-80hz adjustment, i might even change it to 45-75hz later on just to be a little safer...you lose hp/tq slowing down frequency via vfd.. i was told to think in percentages of loss comparing the amount of hz you slow the motor down.. basicly 20hz equaling 33%... somewhat thinking along the lines of a static phase converter, you lose a leg so you lose pretty much 33% motor output .. also when you purchase a vfd you have to not only consider hp rating, you also have to consider amperage output of the vfd..  not enough amps and it will negate the performance of the motor making it lose hp/torque. most places selling vfd's will know what you need when you tell them what your doing, i guess its an industry standard or they just know becuase its so popluar, but it is something to watch for if your buying online..  currently i have my vfd setup to just run straight/forward, i just turn the vfd on and it sits on and in forward, and i use the drum switch as the normal selector switch for forward/stop/rev ,the vfd remains on all the time until i hit the e-stop button and power the vfd down....  i've also seen people use the vfd to completely control on/off/forward/reverse, but i was told thats harder on the vfd and the motors as the motor is wired for use of the drum switch, direct switching i guess...  i havent had anyone tell me that its wrong or right using the drum switch as a selector and not the vfd....Last edited by brucer; 07-12-2011 at 09:51 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/