What did I do? Bridgeport purchase

[Defender92]

I’d go broke if they let me walk around in there!

It took a lot of self control. I’m kicking myself in the ass. There was a box of R8 collets and end mill holders with other random stuff. 8 or 9 of them for $69

 

[motormech1]

Damn, that place is a machine wonderland! I'd have to max out my home equity line in that place. Too bad it's a 9 hr drive from Raleigh. Heeeyyy, maybe I can sell the wife on a Lake Erie vacation as an excuse to get up there! Lol

 

[Defender92]

Damn, that place is a machine wonderland! I'd have to max out my home equity line in that place. Too bad it's a 9 hr drive from Raleigh. Heeeyyy, maybe I can sell the wife on a Lake Erie vacation as an excuse to get up there! Lol

That’s a nasty lake. Good luck

 

[Shotgun]

@motormech1 , maybe we can rent a bus and have a group trip!?

 

[motormech1]

That’s a nasty lake. Good luck

Right?!

maybe we can rent a bus and have a group trip!?

I'm down for it man! Lol

It took a lot of self control. I’m kicking myself in the ass. There was a box of R8 collets and end mill holders with other random stuff. 8 or 9 of them for $69

So have you had a chance to check it out? No hurry, just push- I MEAN checking!

 

[G-ManBart]

I believe I did what you suggested? It’s riding nicely. I’m happy. 2 hours to go

You did and I know you got as far as DTW airport with it still looking good! I was driving south on I275 and saw a Jeep pulling a trailer with a BP strapped to it and started laughing. Hopefully unloading went smoothly as well!

 

[Defender92]

You did and I know you got as far as DTW airport with it still looking good! I was driving south on I275 and saw a Jeep pulling a trailer with a BP strapped to it and started laughing. Hopefully unloading went smoothly as well!

Small world! Yep that was me and made it home

 

[Defender92]

Got the Bridgeport home. Still can’t find anything wrong other than typical reasonable wear for a 1980 machine. I can’t wait to get my VFD and see if it runs ok.

I found the original price tag. Apparently it’s been marked down

Everything was very easy until the part of getting it off the trailer. SCARY! I possibly could had done it with a proper lifting eye but didn’t have one. I have multiple lifting straps but I couldn’t find a length that wrapped around the ram to my satisfaction.

So I decided taking the ram, spindle, motor assembly off might lessen the weight.

I have never been around a Bridgeport! Let alone taken one apart. I figured there would be something inside the main body that I could attach a strap or chain to. Nope! The “spider” inside isn’t even attached. It floats inside. So the only thing I could come up with was strapping the table. I wasn’t happy about this because I feared damaging the table screws. But I managed to not damage anything.

Here’s the inside of a Bridgeport. Mine didn’t have that cool little door on the side. I was disappointed.

So that was really hairy. Especially doing it all by myself. I was able to move it around my garage floor with a crowbar and round bar stock. Then I bought an eye bolt from Menards. Not the type of eye bolt for a Bridgeport but I figured it was just the ram and motor. Hopefully not ever the 500 pound eye bolt rating. It was a ***** getting the bolts to line up with the spider! Especially doing it solo!

Everything is put back together. I plugged the power feed in. Didn’t work. Then I realized someone smashed the power switch. I picked up a new switch from Menards (I love that store). It powered up! But I think the feed rate switch is shot?? And I also electrocuted myself very good. Not sure if there’s a short or I touched something I shouldn’t had. Maybe it’s the feed switch shorting? I don’t know. But I’m sure I can get it working. I’m afraid of the power feed probably until I forget about that incident.

The Mitutoyo DRO does not power up. I plan on opening it up and seeing what I can do. If I can’t fix it can I get a replacement DRO that’s compatible with the Mitutoyo connectors??

I will keep you guys posted when I get the power hooked up. Keeping my fingers crossed it’s a good head!!

 

[Eddyde]

So far it looks like a great score! I wouldn't worry too much about the electronics.
Those power drive units are known to develop electrical issues but are repairable.
The DRO might also be an easy fix but even if you have to replace the entire system you might be better of anyway. Decent DROs are relatively inexpensive these days and offer a lot more functions.

 

[kcoffield]

I dont think any open eye is rated for lifting and no way I'd trust a menards bought piece for lifting like that. Get yourself a proper forged lifting eye intended for such. -Be safe.

Best,
Kelly