Maximum Bridgeport RPM

Arkie

Active User
Registered
Joined
Sep 8, 2013
Messages
40
I have a belt drive later model Bridgeport. I'm cutting walnut with router bits on it. Reason being it has a DRO and for the stopped cuts I'm making it works great. I would like to run a bit faster. Top speed right now is 2,720 rpm. Its 3-phase and if I put it on a VFD I could double the rpm, but I don't want to do it if detrimental to the motor or machine.

I don't know the history of the machine but it seems to be in really good condition.
 
The motor should take 3600 rpm OK, just watch the motor current draw. You might want to oversize the VFD by 1 HP or so. That will give you 5200 RPM at the spindle at 120 Hz. The bearings should be fine, just make sure they don't get too hot at that speed. I ran my Bridgeport clone at that speed quite often. Make sure the quill feed is not engaged at that speed.

Another option would be to build a bracket to attach a good router to the quill, that way you can get the speed up higher. There is a lot of info on the internet on doing that.
 
Back
Top