Bridgeport Barn Find- Is it worth it?

[Charles scozzari]

Looks like a project. But I might be tempted to drag it home for the right price.

A reconditioned head is better than $3.500

 

[woodchucker]

under a tarp means exposed to all the elements.
PASS

 

[Uglydog]

Worst case she is a parts machine.
Depends on your personal short and long term goals, as well as your current and hoping to develop skill set.
What's the cost? Free with no charge loading is good.

If you decide to pass, then ... where are you located?

Daryl

 

[mmcmdl]

Worst case she is a parts machine.

I'm with you Daryl . There's always people looking for parts if the price is right .

 

[400bird]

I'm with the "depends on how good of a price" team
If it's beer money or free get it. If they're asking for anything real to you, I'd pass.

Worst case scenario you loose a little money and time finding out what not to buy and getting much more familiar with the Bridgeport. Best case it is fixable or has good parts.

 

[ClayPort]

Thanks everyone. I didn't know what to expect when the tarp got pulled (I watched via Facetime with my dad) and my heart sank a bit when I saw the missing parts. No matter what I ended up with I planned to take it apart and use some of the kits from H&W, but this appears it could be a money pit getting it back up to drill press status, let alone something better. I don't think its going anywhere for now, so I am going to hunt for a few more weeks before driving down and taking a better look, maybe try and clean it up a bit on sight to find out exactly what is missing. I will re-post with results.

 

[toprecyler]

Does the spindle turn over? And the motor?

It is a project for sure, but if it free, or couple hundred dollars, it is better than no mill. You can always part it out later if a better one comes along. That’s how it usually works, once you get one, more come available.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chipper5783]

It is yours for a nominal cost? Of course. No one is pretending that it won’t be a project - but it probably fixable at modest price and lots of labour. Obviously you don’t put out the $$ for a VFD or DRO until it is up and running and you are satisfied it is worth additional investment.

I have tackled 3 machines that were every bit as bad as that (a large Huron mill - pooled water in the motor, the electrics, everywhere, a radial arm drill, mostly disassembled, lots of rust, and an 11” lathe dumped in a swamp - several pieces missing). All of them are now working well - no issue with the parts made. Of course they are not like new, but they were really cheap.

Quality machine tools are really tough and can survive a lot of abuse (better if they were cared for, but they really are tough). The biggest factor is you, your capabilities, skill, determination, resources available to you. I’ve been in this game 40+ years, I’ve done a lot of repair work, I have a well equipped work shop.

If this is your first machine, you want a low cost entry into machining - well then pass (IMO machining is not a low cost hobby).

 

[FOMOGO]

The good news is parts are readily available. It would be a good way to become intimately familiar with the machine and hone your skills. I would give it a go if the price is low and you don't mind a challenge. Also lots of knowledge here to help you along. Mike

 

[pontiac428]

That's a hard no, unless you've got a year's worth of time off to burn and a few piggy banks to smash into along the way. Sure, anything can be restored with a big enough electrolysis tank, but how much time do you really have? I'd rather drive halfway across the country for a better machine that didn't spend enough time to reach legal drinking age under a tarp outside.