Dating a Bridgeport CNC

[Shotgun]

I got her in the workshop last Saturday, and I'm already working on replacing the controls, from steppers all the way through to a Raspberry Pi Zero for the control computer. The previous-previous owner had replaced the controls with an Ah-ha system, and even that is outdated. (I think Ah-ha went out of business 20 yrs ago.)

However, I don't know how old she is. Seen lots of places that have a list for the dates of manual BPs, but my serial number is CNC1324. The only hint I got was that BP sold 500 machines their first year on the market, being 1977. Is there a list somewhere, or is guessing "1980" the best I'm gonna do?

 

[pontiac428]

When dating anyone, you should ask to see their ID if age is even a question. Not worth the trouble. I prefer late 70s-early 80s vintage myself, so long as I stay in that zone I don't have to explain my jokes and I don't feel funny with her in public.

 

[Shotgun]

If I could afford one young enough that I didn't have to check a serial number for the age. . .

 

[pontiac428]

My lathe is 21 (a Brazilian!), and my mill is a spritely 26 (from Spain!).

I got both of those dates simply by emailing the manufacturer's customer service and asking (like BP, still in business). They were both clear that they were offering no support or parts, but were much obliged to do the lookup for me.

 

[benmychree]

So many folks on this platform want "information" and dates on specific machines, in the final analysis, it really does not matter, the condition of the machine is really all that matters.

 

[Martin W]

You guys and your glamorous 21 and 26 year olds. I’ll stick with my more mature lady’s. And as far as raspberry pi. Strawberry rhubarb I prefer much better!
Martin

 

[brino]

I have dated worse than a Bridgeport.

In my youth I often had the Impetus to go for the quick Fuchs.
Maybe a Balding Beaver or one that was a real Birch but with a real sweet Bottum or Portass.

I dated this one Kerry, but she was just out for the Gems.
Lyn always thought she was Superior like some kind of Perfection.
One was a great Cook, another quite Dandy, but none were Ideal.

I tried dating Modern, Junior and Senior.
I almost gave up and considered dating a Robot.

My lathe is 21 (a Brazilian!), and my mill is a spritely 26 (from Spain!).

.....I consider it a challenge to find out about the Brazilian thing on the first date

Brian

I have never considered dating a Mann or a Boy like a David, Edgar, Elliot, Harvey, Jason, Logan, Marco, Matt, Patrick, Sheldon, Sidney, Spencer, Stanley or a Stuart. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[cjtoombs]

I think the "Dating a Bridgeport CNC" title really sent this one off the rails. One of my girls is pushing 148, but she needs a lot of work.

 

[DavidR8]

Off the rails by post #2!

 

[FOMOGO]

Yeah, compared to most of my machines that's definitely jail bait territory. Mike

You guys and your glamorous 21 and 26 year olds.

That probably still leaves us in better shape than most of the US rail system.

Off the rails by post #2!