Hi everyone I was able to buy a Birmingham mill with a 3hp. motor. According to the owner and by the looks of the machine it was only used twice by his brother. This mill sat in a open front barn exposed to lots of dust since 2006. While I am still in the process of cleaning it up everything has as it should except for the quill down feed. The problem That I have is the only way the the down feed will work is if I hold the engagement lever out if I let it go it springs back in and the power feed stops. It will not stay engagued on its own. I don't see anything broken and I have sprayed everything down with penetrating oil but so far nothing as worked. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
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Another power quill problem
- Thread starter hackley69
- Start date
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- Nov 10, 2013
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- 837
The one on my small Bridgeport is touchy too. I think there is an adjustment for it but I haven't looked for it yet. Mine wants to trip out in the beginning but after the spindle drops a bit it's OK. Google "Bridgeport PDF" and check out the manual online, yours should be the same.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2014
- Messages
- 11,176
Normally this is caused by the adjustment of the kickout screw. The bottom kickout pin, #124 may be stuck in the bore. Another possibility is the trip rod/quill stop mechanism is crudded up a bit. All of these parts must operate pretty free.
Thanks Mr. Jim! With the amount of dust this mill was exposed to I'm sure none of these parts are moving freely. I will post an update tomorrow. Thanks again I really wasen't expecting to get such good information so fast you guys have been a great help.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2014
- Messages
- 11,176
It sounds like yours is working normally. You can't start he power feed right at the top. You have to pull the quill down a 1/4 inch or so to get the quill stop off of the upper trip button. At the top, and just to the right of the quill stop screw, there is a small button that connects through a little toggle lever that pushes down on the quill stop screw.