Bridgeport 2J (1 1/2 HP) Upper Repair

[davidyat]

So, I was working on Friday with the Bridgeport Mill. Looked up and saw smoke coming out of the motor. YIKES, turn off everything and unplug the power source. Reached out to H&W Machining in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They pretty much convinced me of bearing failure in the upper half. I bought the bearing and belt replacement package. I've watched a lot of H&W videos and some from tubalcain. I didn't see anything to scare me off. I've learned about tilting the head and moving the ram to make room. Now if any home shop machinists have any advice, I'll take all I can get.
Grasshopper

 

[kvom]

I had my upper head rebuilt by H&W a while back. But I took it to them for the rebuild. My problem was an inability to shift into low-speed range. As part of the rebuild they packed it with grease so no need to oil the upper section.

 

[Richard Hed]

So, I was working on Friday with the Bridgeport Mill. Looked up and saw smoke coming out of the motor. YIKES, turn off everything and unplug the power source. Reached out to H&W Machining in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They pretty much convinced me of bearing failure in the upper half. I bought the bearing and belt replacement package. I've watched a lot of H&W videos and some from tubalcain. I didn't see anything to scare me off. I've learned about tilting the head and moving the ram to make room. Now if any home shop machinists have any advice, I'll take all I can get.
Grasshopper

Replacing the bearings should be one of the easiest jobs. If it is not the bearing then . . ./

 

[awake]

H&W rocks! Not only their videos and supplies, but I also had a couple of phone calls with them when I was rebuilding my 2J2 head. FWIW, I did not wind up replacing the bearings - they have been fine - but did have to replace the belt, one of the pulleys, and ... seems like there was something else. All in all, not a bad job; just take it methodically, and think through the process of handling the weight of motor or anything else heavy that may have to be removed.

 

[davidyat]

Thanks for all the advice. I did wait on the motor until I had a buddy at bit younger than me with a lot more muscle show up. He pretty much got on my small step stool and picked it right up and out. Now the rest of the disassembly is easy for me as long as I watch the H&W and stop thinking ahead. Took off a circlip I shouldn't have but easy to put back on.
Grasshopper

 

[davidyat]

Well, H&W did a great job on the video on how to disassemble the 2J 1 1/2HP upper assembly I have. I'm in the process of cleaning all the parts. I have purchased an upper bearing and belt refresh package. As I'm getting familiar with H&W's reassembly of the upper part, I can't seem to find any videos of how to actually get into some of the parts to access the old bearing and install the new ones. One or two look easy, but there are some I can't figure out. I don't want to be banging on something I shouldn't and break anything. There are 7 bearings to be replaced. Does anyone out there know of any videos that can help me?
Grasshopper