New Member Getting A Couple Of Bridgeports Questions About Moving Them

I'm not sure I can answer this correctly. It is a Bridgeport series 1,3 axis, 2 hp head serial number 2j 107250 Textron. Does that answer your question?
 
It should say on it somewhere something like R2E3 or Boss 5, Boss 6,7,8 or 9. Boss stands for "Bridgeport operating system software" 5-9 is the version. How about posting a pic....
 
I'm not good at pictures. The machine is an early cnc It has a separate computer IBM i think . I will try to get pictures post on here tomorrow. I can post on hobby machinist. Look in the bridgeport forum
 
Sorry the pictures are on Practical Machinist briudgeport f
 
derf said:
What version is the series I CNC?
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Sorry, I have not been on the site lately I am not sure what you mean by version. it is a Bridgeport series one 3 axis cnc textron . It has no manual handles so the mill must be operated using the buttons or with a download from a PC. The PC has mastercam 9 program, autocad 2004, and some other common programs on it. The machine came with a boss IV,V and VI manual. I connected a rotophase convertor to the 3 phase on the mill. I disconnected the 1 phase 120v transformer from the machining an connect 120v from a separate source . This way there would be a reliable power for the control. The machine does not have a tape input on it but the manual speaks of one. I can not ask the previous own any question as he passed away before the mill was sold. I have been able to get the machine to move the table on both axis and the quill in and out. Therefore I am fairly sure the machine is OK. I just have no idea how to program the machine. I want to make a circle out of 1/2 plate steel the out side diameter needs to be 8 inch and the inside needs to be 1.5 inches. The manuals talk about g code programing. Can anyone help teach a old manual machine operator how to program this in?
 
gold642 said:
I just have no idea how to program the machine. I want to make a circle out of 1/2 plate steel the out side diameter needs to be 8 inch and the inside needs to be 1.5 inches. The manuals talk about g code programing. Can anyone help teach a old manual machine operator how to program this in?
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This is a bit of a tall order to try to do over the internet. The normal progression would be to draw the part in AutoCAD, then open the .dxf file in Mastercam to create the G-code, then port the G-code over to the mill controller. It is possible that your version of Mastercam has a drafting function built in, so that would eliminate the need to draw in AutoCAD first.

Now, it's also possible that the BP controller has a ''conversational programming'' function built in where you might be able to program in a center and diameter plus the tool offset to make the cut you want. You are just going to have so sit down and read the manuals.

Having said that, you might be better served to find a local person to help get you started. Maybe a local Community College or shop, something like that. There also may be some members of H-M that are local and could help you out.
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Writing G code is not as hard as some make it seem. The first thing you need to accomplish is to input a program into the machine. This will have to be done with an RS 232 cable. You will need a computer(an older one that has the serial port to accommodate this) to transfer the program. The program itself can be written in "notepad", and the software to deliver it is "hyper terminal", both windows programs. The biggest obstacle is getting the program into the machine. The BOSS operating systems have a very small memory for programs, probably around 12K characters. So once you load a program and use it , it must be removed before another can be loaded.
Read up on the manual and get the connection figured out first, and we can go from there.
 
gold642 said:
I got everything home and no problems. I had to slide the machines outside before we could lift them. Now I know why you turn the head down. 7 ft door. The j head mill was easy to pickup with the forks with 2x4 under the ram . However the series 1 cnc was a bear. There was no power to the machine so I could not crank the table in which through the machine out of balanced to the front of the machine. The wiring was to short to rotate the head 180 degrees. I got it about 90 degrees but there was not enough room for the forks and the 2x4's. So I used straps to lift the machine and it hung crooked but i was able to get it loaded. I locked everything that i could lock.I screwed 3/8 lags into the trailer decking and used 2 load straps per machine. They road well on the way home. The ways have a fish scale pattern on the in and out. The Series 1 pattern looks ever and very distinct. The j head mill right side was a little fainter then the left but I'll send pictures tomorrow. The table on the series 1 has a couple drill holes into it. I think the j head looks better but a good cleaning will help determine it. The previous owner had cats in the shop and I think I got about 50 lbs of cat hair as part of the deal. I plan on blowing down the machines tomorrow the start a good cleaning. Anyone have suggestions for the best cleaner? I was thinking of using kerosene, stiff brush, and lot of rags. All 5 machines appear to be complete and are probable operational where I hook them up. the monarch 10 ee was previously converted to ac with a vfd. I can not find a name plate so I assume it's missing. Anyone have any insight here let me know. It is a 2500 rpm round gauge 20 in .Anything I should be aware of before cleaning and testing the machines? Thanks for all of your help.
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Congratulations on the safe move and excellent collection of machines! The 10EE is a bear to move too! What surface grinder do you pick up? (That is my next purchase)

Kerosene is good cleaner. I used a lot of WD40 on my Series 1 Bridgeport and lathe. Took longer, but it worked well for me.
 
derf said:
Writing G code is not as hard as some make it seem. The first thing you need to accomplish is to input a program into the machine. This will have to be done with an RS 232 cable. You will need a computer(an older one that has the serial port to accommodate this) to transfer the program. The program itself can be written in "notepad", and the software to deliver it is "hyper terminal", both windows programs. The biggest obstacle is getting the program into the machine. The BOSS operating systems have a very small memory for programs, probably around 12K characters. So once you load a program and use it , it must be removed before another can be loaded.
Read up on the manual and get the connection figured out first, and we can go from there.
Click to expand...
derf said:
Writing G code is not as hard as some make it seem. The first thing you need to accomplish is to input a program into the machine. This will have to be done with an RS 232 cable. You will need a computer(an older one that has the serial port to accommodate this) to transfer the program. The program itself can be written in "notepad", and the software to deliver it is "hyper terminal", both windows programs. The biggest obstacle is getting the program into the machine. The BOSS operating systems have a very small memory for programs, probably around 12K characters. So once you load a program and use it , it must be removed before another can be loaded.
Read up on the manual and get the connection figured out first, and we can go from there.
Click to expand...
I am reading and watching youtube videos on g code. I also think the cnc control panel has an electrical problem . It seems to not work when moving between modes. I think it is a problem in the mode switch or the ground circuit. I have drawings on the cnc machine and the mode switch seems to provide a ground it the different mode circuits. I will let you know what I find. I taught electricity and electronics when I was in thew Navy. The drawings are similar to what i worked on 40 yrs ago.
 
CraigB1960 said:
Congratulations on the safe move and excellent collection of machines! The 10EE is a bear to move too! What surface grinder do you pick up? (That is my next purchase)

Kerosene is good cleaner. I used a lot of WD40 on my Series 1 Bridgeport and lathe. Took longer, but it worked well for me.
Click to expand...
I picked up a BoyarShultz 612. It had a couple problems. Missing a 1-1/4-16 nut which holds the grinding wheel. I finally made a new nut on the 10 ee lathe. It was also missing a magnetic table. A friend of mine has a surface grinder for sale and is letting me use his for now. I'll try the kerosene for cleaning. I am working on repairing and doing operational inspection to determine what needs to be done.
 
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