Mill recomendation

[steam1919]

what kind of milling machines are popular for this hobby? I cant seem to get my bridge port up and running ( long story for another day ) then I got home with a benchmaster bench top but upon cleaning a 40 year accumulation of grud I discovered that the knee to it was badly worn on one side so im still not milling. Now im thinking about buying one of the import small milling machines just to get up and running. any ideas?

Paul:wall:

 

[Swifty]

What's up with the Bridgeport, is it electrical or something mechanical that's the problem. You may be better off channeling your money to get the Bridgeport running.

Paul.

 

[Omnimill]

Unless space is an issue there's no substitute for a knee mill. As said, better to fix the BP or sell it to help fund a replacement.

 

[steam1919]

Oh Bridgeport is badly worn in middle of ways. I finally finished with the quill. time for final assembly. My son says I can compensate for wear but its a lot of wear. I

 

[Swifty]

It may be just the table ways that are worn in the middle, maybe you could get a quote from a machine reconditioner for re grinding. The knee ways may be ok, just need a bit of scraping to match the table.

Paul.

 

[Sshire]

Agree on putting the money into the BP. I had a large benchtop Grizzly and sold it when I got the ( 1968 ) Bridgeport. I'd hate to go back.

This is invaluable. (good, helpful people and they have all parts)
http://www.machinerypartsdepot.com/site/1478157/product/BRM-J

 

[robcas631]

Stan,

I was just reading about the services machine parts depot provide. Very nice!

 

[BaronJ]

Oh Bridgeport is badly worn in middle of ways. I finally finished with the quill. time for final assembly. My son says I can compensate for wear but its a lot of wear. I

Hi Steam,

I used to have a Denford, basically a Bridgeport clone but smaller overall size.
How I miss that machine now ! I have a low cost Chinese mill at the moment and am discovering all sorts of problems that simply don't exist on a quality machine like the Bridgeport.

 

[steam1919]

Thanks everyone what I have gathered about having the ways ground and then hand scraping the ways is costly to the point I may be able to find a machine in better condition for same money. Im in Birmingham Al area for some reason not any I know of that do it all so I would have to learn and invest in the scraping. I know a company to do grinding but not the scarping and realignment. I was thinking of making another purchase and then making bp a long term project. I want to be making engines instead of refurbishing machines though.

 

[BaronJ]

Thanks everyone what I have gathered about having the ways ground and then hand scraping the ways is costly to the point I may be able to find a machine in better condition for same money. Im in Birmingham Al area for some reason not any I know of that do it all so I would have to learn and invest in the scraping. I know a company to do grinding but not the scarping and realignment. I was thinking of making another purchase and then making bp a long term project. I want to be making engines instead of refurbishing machines though.

Hi Steam,
I take your point ! One of the reasons that the Bridgeport is so revered is that it was one of the first high precision vertical mills to be introduced that was affordable. It really was the Rolls Royce of mills in its day. There are many other mills that would be just as useful. There have been many thousands of them made and exported all over the world, so I would hope that you might come across a good one. Good Luck.