What Red Flags Do You See?

[IamNotImportant]

It has the flavor of mild decay and general lack of care not to mention an unappealing paint job.
A photo doesn't tell very much on a machine like that. On the plus side it is a Bridgeport mill
and is a step pulley machine. It's hard to day how well the motor would hold up using a VFD
on it. Some of those older machines did not employ R8 collets so would be sure to look at that
when inspecting it.

Ok.. you bring up a good point, the issue about "collets", that will be something i will have to inspect for sure.

As for the original motor or not on it, that will have to be checked.. 220v 1ph isn't an issue, but if it is 400+ v 3ph, then it would have to be replaced.. Unless it can be "rewound", that is an option.. but won't know that till it is taken apart by the armature shop..

 

[cathead]

Those older motors may not hold up to using a VFD as the insulation on older motor windings was not as good as
the varnish used on motors of today. Of course one can replace the motor if needed but would be something
worth consideration when looking at owning the machine.

 

[C-Bag]

I’d be looking closely at the ways X Y as it looks like it lived for a long time next to that abrasive cutoff saw. If that’s the dust that’s on it that is a red flag for sure.

 

[IamNotImportant]

Those older motors may not hold up to using a VFD as the insulation on older motor windings was not as good as
the varnish used on motors of today. Of course one can replace the motor if needed but would be something
worth consideration when looking at owning the machine.

yes.. that will be an issue for sure..

 

[IamNotImportant]

I’d be looking closely at the ways X Y as it looks like it lived for a long time next to that abrasive cutoff saw. If that’s the dust that’s on it that is a red flag for sure.

Duel'y noted, is this the reason for the difference in the saddle?

 

[C-Bag]

Duel'y noted, is this the reason for the difference in the saddle?

Who knows. If you’ve gone through many used machines you know logic doesn’t alway apply.

 

[IamNotImportant]

Who knows. If you’ve gone through many used machines you know logic doesn’t alway apply.

 

[IamNotImportant]

@stupoty @cathead @C-Bag @Navy Chief @682bear @Musky_Hunter

I want to thank you folks for your input, if you think of anything else.. please do let me know.. i would greatly appreciate it!

 

[C-Bag]

Duel'y noted, is this the reason for the difference in the saddle?

When I think about it, the saddle being under the table I’ll bet it was the only part that was not stained by the abrasive dust. Somehow that dust just bores into paint and you can’t always just wipe it off. I would also bet that green is brushed on, and the gray of the saddle is the original color.

 

[jwmay]

I don't see anything that's all that important. It'll have to be looked at in person. But just as a sort of reality check: Most people I've met who run these machines for a living have about as much concern for taking care of it as they do washing and waxing the bosses car on break. Meaning to say, if it was a production machine, it's been worked hard, misused, abused, beaten on, used as an anvil, drug/shoved around by a forklift, left in the rain, repaired a hundred times with whatever was on hand, and worked some more. Contrary to what many proclaim, I've never met a pro machinist who gave a care at all to maintaining "the companies equipment". Don't try to borrow their Starrett tools though. They'll hand it over as if they were passing you their newborn baby girl. Lol And fidget behind you, sweating until you give it back.