Bridgeport Barn Find- Is it worth it?

[ClayPort]

The spindle doesn't turn but the quill drops a bit. The biggest thing I feel that I am lacking is a reference. I have watched a dozen videos on full rebuilds, but with out a well dialed machine next to me to compare to, my fear is that I do all this work and won't know if it will pay off until the end.

I don't have 3 phase so a VFD would be a must.

I have the determination and the 3k I've saved for a used machine, but maybe not the space or the time. I've rebuilt several saws and drill presses, built my 480sqft shop, solo, from the shovel to the roof, but this is a much more technical project than I have ever attempted. My shop space is mixed wood/metal, and I am already stacked to the brim with a 16" jointer, 20" band saw, 52" table saw, wood and metal lathe, mig and tig stations, etc. Everything is on casters and has to move side to side. Having the mill take up the shop for a month is one thing, but for 6 months, it might mean no other metal projects or furniture being made for the rest of the year which seems less desirable.

There is also this Van Norman that he wants me to consider and what looks like a 50s variable speed PM1200 Drill Press but I already have an 80's PM1150 next to a 22" Jet, so I think I will pass on the press. (I have already done some research on VM Mills. It sounds like a neat machine but may be outside my scope).

 

[CJ5Dave]

You will really learn a lot doing this. But it is very frustrating to get something home and look and look for arts and especially people who will do machine work for a hobby person. And wait a year or 2 to get it usable. I have a free lathe that I am already in $1200 for and still not really usable, need to spend $500 more. I have a $2000 mill that really does not need much. Maybe $100 in parts and paint. I am learning a lot on both but somewhat frustrating. If you get it and part it out I can see some stuff I would buy.

 

[Charles scozzari]

The spindle doesn't turn but the quill drops a bit. The biggest thing I feel that I am lacking is a reference. I have watched a dozen videos on full rebuilds, but with out a well dialed machine next to me to compare to, my fear is that I do all this work and won't know if it will pay off until the end.

I don't have 3 phase so a VFD would be a must.

I have the determination and the 3k I've saved for a used machine, but maybe not the space or the time. I've rebuilt several saws and drill presses, built my 480sqft shop, solo, from the shovel to the roof, but this is a much more technical project than I have ever attempted. My shop space is mixed wood/metal, and I am already stacked to the brim with a 16 jointer, 20" band saw, 52" table saw, wood and metal lathe, mig and tig stations, etc. Everything is on casters and has to move side to side. Having the mill take up the shop for a month is one thing, but for 6 months, it might mean no other metal projects or furniture being made for the rest of the year which seems less desirable.

There is also this Van Norman that he wants me to consider and what looks like a 50s variable speed PM1200 Drill Press but I already have an 80's PM1150 next to a 22" Jet, so I think I will pass on the press. (I have already done some research on VM Mills. It sounds like a neat machine but may be outside my scope).

Its hard to do what the mill needs in a smaller shop and to take on a restoration of this magnitude is tough when you really don't have the room to pull it off. I know running Bridgeports or clones are still obtainable if you wait for them. I found a Bridgeport for a friend that was in a shop that was being disposed of for $750.00 that was only used for plastics and in beautiful shape. You mentioned you have $3.000.00 for a mill and I feel you should find one RUNNING and quite possibly for less than you might expect.

 

[talvare]

You stated that you have budgeted $3000 for a mill. I'm confident that you can find a nice machine that falls within that budget. You may have to travel some distance to get one, but I think you'd be far better off buying a machine that you can just set up and start making chips instead of one that you will be working on and dumping money into for the next 1-2 years. When I purchased my lathe, I made a 1000+ mile round trip to get it and to me, it was worth the time, effort and expense.
So, now you have my two cents worth, which is likely way over valued.
Ted

 

[pontiac428]

Ok, I was against dealing with the Bridgeport, but I have a different opinion about the Powermatic drill press in the second pic above. That might be worth refurbishing. It is a simple machine compared to the mill, maybe 50 parts to clean compared to hundreds, and no critical precision surfaces on the level of the Bridgeport. It's a much easier project and a good machine. A drill press like that is just as happy in a wood shop as a metal shop, it has a reeves drive for variable speed that covers an impressive range. If that's a model 1100 as it appears, you can get a 3/4 to 1 hp single phase motor with no need for power conversion. Also a lot less intimidating to work on.

Attached below is a brochure and parts list for that drill press. More info can be found here at vintagemachinery.org

 

[sdelivery]

The only price that is a GOOD price is FREE.You will be hauling off his 1700 lbs. scrap weight that everyone else wants to charge him to remove.
That isn't a machine that is scrap metal.
2 years outside under a tarp the machine is ruined.
As an example I brought home A South Bend 9 inch Lathe, an A series, 48 inch bed, QCGB,
Taper Attachment, thread dial, tool post, guards, fully optioned.
Paid 100.00, looked just like that but only five years inside a barn. The corrosion becomes so deep, nothing comes a part, every fastener is a challenge of its own.
The ONLY parts I was able to save was the thread dial and the headstock guards.

 

[sdelivery]

As far as having the ways ground, I am in 1800.00 on having my mills ways ground and that wasn't the whole machine.
I will still need to replace the turcite and scrape the slides for fit.
Check hgr they have three locations and there are always bottom of the barrel machines for less than 2000.00. One of those is still miles ahead of the machine you looked at.

 

[woodchucker]

You stated that you have budgeted $3000 for a mill. I'm confident that you can find a nice machine that falls within that budget. You may have to travel some distance to get one,

Absolutely. 3k should yield a variable speed bp

 

[Janderso]

Pass!!

Unless you’re an old hand at moving heavy things, and have lots of time to burn. You couldn’t pay me to take it.

+1

 

[7milesup]

Too bad you aren't closer to the Midwest. There are currently three Acra Bridgeport clones on an industrial auction that no one is bidding on.

Machines Used | Acer Ultima 3VS Variable Speed Vertical Mill with One-Shot Lube and More

Acer mill for sale at online auction. Large inventory of industrial equipment. We buy and sell manufacturing machinery. Auctions, liquidations, appraisals.

www.machinesused.com

Machines Used | Acer Ultima 3VS Variable Speed Vertical Mill with One-Shot Lube and More

Acer mill for sale at online auction. Large inventory of industrial equipment. We buy and sell manufacturing machinery. Auctions, liquidations, appraisals.

www.machinesused.com

Machines Used | Acer Ultima 3VS Variable Speed Vertical Mill with Mitutoyo DRO, One-Shot Lube and More

Acer mill for sale at online auction. Large inventory of industrial equipment. We buy and sell manufacturing machinery. Auctions, liquidations, appraisals.

www.machinesused.com

Machines Used | Bridgeport 2J Variable Speed Vertical Milling Machine with 3-Axis DRO

Bridgeport mill for sale at online auction. Large inventory of industrial equipment. We buy and sell manufacturing machinery. Auctions, liquidations, appraisals.

www.machinesused.com

Now that I think of it, I would drive halfway across the country to buy something that works versus a pile of scrap cast iron.

EDIT: If I had a shed I would be bidding on the above mills. I have been trying to convince the wife we need a shed. When I showed her these mill, she pointed out that is exactly why we DON'T need a shed. Some people...