Greetings All,
I just acquired - for the low, low price of nothing, two things:
1) 1957 Series I J-Head Bridgeport - pancake motor
2) 1957 (near as I can tell) Hardinge HLV Lathe
Overall, I don't think that - given their age - they're too bad off. They certainly need some extra special TLC, but when I removed them, they were both under power and making chips.
The machines were used in a small shop - but regretfully were not maintained all that well (there was a lovely old grinding wheel right next to the Bport, and - as usual - someone thought the zerks were for grease and not way oil). However, for the price I got them for, I think it's worth spending some time, effort and - of course - cash on the whole affair to return them back to their previous glory.
There are definitely some quirks (ex. the Hardinge carriage binds, the Bridgeport is missing several things, etc.)
This will be a long, long project for me, but after reading a multitude of posts here and on the "other" forums concerning repairs / rebuild and so forth, I think I'm up to the challenge.
I'm hoping that with all the wonderful posts I see on here (and, *ahem*, other fora) that I can get these suckers as close to new as possible.
Have a gander and see what you all think. I'm extremely interested in what you all can recommend for initial cleaning chemicals. I have no issue with taking both of these units down to bare metal and starting from scratch, but I want to compile the necessary items and equipment prior to getting into it.
Oh! LOL. If any of you kind folks that happen to reside in CT happen to have a spare bridgeport knee handle you want to part with, please let me know! It's aggravating turning the thing by hand.
So, lemme get to it with some overview shots:
Bridgeport:
Hardinge:
I just acquired - for the low, low price of nothing, two things:
1) 1957 Series I J-Head Bridgeport - pancake motor
2) 1957 (near as I can tell) Hardinge HLV Lathe
Overall, I don't think that - given their age - they're too bad off. They certainly need some extra special TLC, but when I removed them, they were both under power and making chips.
The machines were used in a small shop - but regretfully were not maintained all that well (there was a lovely old grinding wheel right next to the Bport, and - as usual - someone thought the zerks were for grease and not way oil). However, for the price I got them for, I think it's worth spending some time, effort and - of course - cash on the whole affair to return them back to their previous glory.
There are definitely some quirks (ex. the Hardinge carriage binds, the Bridgeport is missing several things, etc.)
This will be a long, long project for me, but after reading a multitude of posts here and on the "other" forums concerning repairs / rebuild and so forth, I think I'm up to the challenge.
I'm hoping that with all the wonderful posts I see on here (and, *ahem*, other fora) that I can get these suckers as close to new as possible.
Have a gander and see what you all think. I'm extremely interested in what you all can recommend for initial cleaning chemicals. I have no issue with taking both of these units down to bare metal and starting from scratch, but I want to compile the necessary items and equipment prior to getting into it.
Oh! LOL. If any of you kind folks that happen to reside in CT happen to have a spare bridgeport knee handle you want to part with, please let me know! It's aggravating turning the thing by hand.
So, lemme get to it with some overview shots:
Bridgeport:
Hardinge:
).