Looking at this Bridgeport that is FAR away

[verbotenwhisky]

Lol I honestly don't have any room for any sort of mill. Every square inch of wall space in my ~500 sq ft garage is pretty much jam packed with "stuff" already... everything from plumbing, electrical, HVAC, automotive, welders and woodworking tools - and everything in between. I will conjure space out of thin air for a mill (and eventually a lathe) though. That was part of what I liked about that first machine - smaller table is kind of appealing.

As far as asking someone here to check it out for me, I am brand new here and I don't think I've earned enough "street credit" for that type of ask, but it was a great idea

PM orders these as imperial machines and these are just 2 of the offerings.... I bought a PM940V-PDF from them, I have done the used route a few times and I wanted something I could work with not on. There is setup so its not 100% nothing to do to them but its better as far as I am concerned...
Knee https://www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/pm-739v-milling-machine-2/
Square Column https://www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/pm-932v-milling-machine/

 

[joec2000]

I actually started my journey looking at the PM-728VT bench mill, was pretty set on it, then read about lack of rigidity and accuracy issues, then moved up to the PM-833T bench mill, then read more of the same, and people expressing regret about not buying a knee mill to begin with.

I looked at some of the PM full size knee mills, but they are more than what I wanted to pay for an imported non-brand name machine. Their bench top knee mills don't *look* much more rigid than their larger bench mills (and appear to be made in China instead of Taiwan), but maybe I am missing something here - feel free to correct me. I've also heard people say that resale value isn't terribly good on the non-name-brand stuff in case I have regrets later.

That's when I figured that I might as well go back to what I started with 20 yrs ago, the Bridgeport, but obviously those machines are all 20 years older like I am. If my thought process is flawed here, feel free to set me straight... Most of the machining I will be doing will be on relatively small parts - a mix of steel, aluminum, brass and plastic... maybe a bench mill is rigid enough? I just don't want to set myself up for disappointment and lose my shirt if what I buy ends up not being "enough machine".

 

[matthewsx]

Just set up a regular search on Craigslist and Marketplace and be ready to act.

John

 

[verbotenwhisky]

I actually started my journey looking at the PM-728VT bench mill, was pretty set on it, then read about lack of rigidity and accuracy issues, then moved up to the PM-833T bench mill, then read more of the same, and people expressing regret about not buying a knee mill to begin with.

I looked at some of the PM full size knee mills, but they are more than what I wanted to pay for an imported non-brand name machine. Their bench top knee mills don't *look* much more rigid than their larger bench mills (and appear to be made in China instead of Taiwan), but maybe I am missing something here - feel free to correct me. I've also heard people say that resale value isn't terribly good on the non-name-brand stuff in case I have regrets later.

That's when I figured that I might as well go back to what I started with 20 yrs ago, the Bridgeport, but obviously those machines are all 20 years older like I am. If my thought process is flawed here, feel free to set me straight... Most of the machining I will be doing will be on relatively small parts - a mix of steel, aluminum, brass and plastic... maybe a bench mill is rigid enough? I just don't want to set myself up for disappointment and lose my shirt if what I buy ends up not being "enough machine".

Joe,

Everyone has an opinion, I bought a PM940V-PFD and I have been happy with it, I paid short of 6K for it and I bought it with all options, it weighs about 1250 pounds on the floor and I have no rigidity issues but I also know Clough42 had one and sent it back, didn't like it, I know there is a fellow on this forum (goes by B2) who bought a PM940M-CNC and had many issues with it but he is using it and there are others here who have it that are fine with it. I can tell you that if you have an issue Precision Mathews will work to help you solve those issues. I cannot speak for the smaller mills, I do not own one of those, but I do know that if you buy a smaller lighter mill part of the rigidity equation is understanding the machines limitations, if you buy a mill the sits on a bench its not going to make as heavy cuts as a Bridgeport but it will do anything you want it to as long as your project fits within its work envelope, patients may be required though.

Would I like a Bridgeport? yeah if I could get a new or like new (not going to happen) would I like an American made machine? yeah but I do not have 30 to 40K. I am happy with the results of what I bought, its serviceable and with a few minor changes (personal preferences) it does what I need/want it to do. I have owned 3 Bridgeport type machines 2 were Bridgeport and one was a knockoff, all three looked great 2 were cream puffs and one turned out to be a train wreck.

I hope this helped, I hope I did not muddy the water more.
Be safe out there.... VW

 

[MrWhoopee]

Looks like MachineInventory and Leblondlathe.com are spamming your CL pretty heavily. If it has the phone #860-964-6549, avoid them. All part of the infamous Al Babin's operations.

You've probably seen this one, the only legit ad I found within 350 miles.

BRIDGEPORT MILLING MACHINE - tools - by owner - sale - craigslist

Bridgeport Vertical milling machine, step pulley, table 9X42, for more information email or call us at

miami.craigslist.org

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Looks like MachineInventory and Leblondlathe.com are spamming your CL pretty heavily. If it has the phone #860-964-6549, avoid them. All part of the infamous Al Babin's operations.

You've probably seen this one, the only legit ad I found within 350 miles.

BRIDGEPORT MILLING MACHINE - tools - by owner - sale - craigslist

Bridgeport Vertical milling machine, step pulley, table 9X42, for more information email or call us at

miami.craigslist.org

WOW, my security software threw up flags and blocked your link, wonder what that is about.....

 

[MrWhoopee]

WOW, my security software threw up flags and blocked your link, wonder what that is about.....

Someone trying to protect you from yourself?

 

[verbotenwhisky]

Someone trying to protect you from yourself?

LOL it says web advertisements which usually means spammers.... since this is a work machine I usually heed the warning...

 

[MrWhoopee]

"Someone who cares about you has decided that you may not open this page."

Who might that be?

Can you open CL at all?

 

[7milesup]

@joec2000 First, welcome aboard!

I think you are doing the right thing by looking at a knee mill. As others have pointed out, expanding your search to include other brands is good advice. I owned a PM833T and while it was "ok," it certainly did not have the rigidity. I ended up buying a Sharp LMV mill that I found on FB Marketplace. It was a HUGE step up in performance and rigidity and just made machining more enjoyable.