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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    843

    Default 14 weeks later: a bridgeport emerges

    Hi all,

    Back in March I won a 1981 UK Bridgeport in 'unworking - condition unknown' (erm) condition.

    //metalworkforums.com/f65/t2016...2hp-series-1-a

    14 weeks later of spending (literally) every spare moment on it, it is finally back in one piece. The irony being it still doesn't work! (I am chasing something electrical). But, I thought it time to share some pics. Still some things to do (like the hare/tortoise plate is not finished, the table looks like the Somme etc) but posting here is me rewarding myself for it getting every part out of boxes or off the floor, into working condition, and back on to the damn machine. Without any exaggeration it has been a huge undertaking but I wanted to get it done so I can get back on with the 'real' project of getting the basket case grinder working again. This poor neglected old lady:

    //metalworkforums.com/f65/t1997...grinder-basket

    Anyways, pics:

    IMG_20180325_125514.jpgIMG_20180325_145348.jpg

    and after:

    IMG_20180708_161113.jpgIMG_20180708_163854.jpgIMG_20180708_163917.jpg

    I am glad I did a complete nut-and-bolt on it. Not one oil passage on the entire machine was free - all oil meters were clogged. Spindle was incorrectly back together, stuff rattling around inside head, some bearings felt like they'd been underwater for some time (and some rust evident here and there on bearing races etc - weird), the auto-feed fwd/neutral/reverse pull/push knob not working, etc etc etc. Just the result of 35 years of industrial use I guess.

    All up including the H&W top-end rebuild kit (recommended), missing bits, paint and consumables (like almost 20lt of cleaning solvent) the refurb put about $1k on the purchase price. Not outrageous, but worth factoring in.

    Anyways, I am enjoying a quality Spanish lager and sitting back. Can post more pics if you like.

    Greg. <slurp>

    Edit: I forgot to do a big shout out to some forum members.

    Anorak Bob: thank you for the manual you sent - truly, it was a godsend. I have poured over it for hours.
    Juglanregia: thanks for the quality pics of the 1980 UK SN# / oiling plate. I'm yet to get there to re-make it, but that will be the final piece to put on it. )

    Cheers guys.

    Edit 2: I think it is actually 15 weeks ...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
    Posts
    208

    Default

    Looks like a nice machine and a great job! Hope you find the electrical gremlin soon and get it working.
    How are you planning to replicate the oiling plate? I have some machines with really bad plates and it would be great if I was able to make some new.

    Peter

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Castlemaine
    Posts
    244

    Default

    Well done Greg. it looks fantastic.

    Cheers


    Piers

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    470

    Default

    Very nice job you have done Mr Greg. WOW!! you finish in 14 weeks. I have been working on my Rambaudi mill for 7 months now, almost done.

    Resize of IMG_6383.jpgResize of IMG_6807.jpg

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    843

    Default

    Peter, the plated are printed not etched, so I'm goint to start with that - PCB stuff.

    Piers. Thanks. ) Compared to the Maho, yes, it *is* a noodle for sure, but hopefully it'll do me. )

    'Turbine Builder'. That is some serious heavy metal and it sure looks the business - well done mate. That looks like a LOT of work. Keep going - looks like you're almost there.

    Mind, the grinder project is almost 2 years in and lots more to go so best we encourage each other eh.

    Greg.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Hi Greg. I cant keep up with your machine purchases and rebuilds!

    Nice work with the restoration it looks great. I see a hint of the frosting marks still on the Y saddle so the ways must be pretty good.

    I have been working on my mill too but it will be a while before it gets to look anything like yours... if at all.

    Congratulations!

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    470

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by StrayAlien View Post
    Peter, the plated are printed not etched, so I'm goint to start with that - PCB stuff.

    Piers. Thanks. ) Compared to the Maho, yes, it *is* a noodle for sure, but hopefully it'll do me. )

    'Turbine Builder'. That is some serious heavy metal and it sure looks the business - well done mate. That looks like a LOT of work. Keep going - looks like you're almost there.

    Mind, the grinder project is almost 2 years in and lots more to go so best we encourage each other eh.

    Greg.
    Thanks Greg, did you put up a thread on your bridgeport project? would be interesting to see the differences in build of the two mills. I have started a thread on my mill //metalworkforums.com/f301/t201...-repair/page-3 Yeah it would be good to see how you go with the grinder project.

    Cheers,
    Mark.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    470

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WoodBee2 View Post
    Looks like a nice machine and a great job! Hope you find the electrical gremlin soon and get it working.
    How are you planning to replicate the oiling plate? I have some machines with really bad plates and it would be great if I was able to make some new.

    Peter
    G'day Mr peter, I have been doing some research on getting new name plates made up for my mill it's not cheap. The lowest price i got was $300+ for two plates from www.metalimage.co.nz

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
    Posts
    208

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Turbine Builder View Post
    G'day Mr peter, I have been doing some research on getting new name plates made up for my mill it's not cheap. The lowest price i got was $300+ for two plates from www.metalimage.co.nz
    Mark,
    Thanks for your reply. With that kind of pricing the old ones will have to stay. That's half the price of what I paid for the machine. That was before my "TLC", but still....
    I am kind of hoping to find a way to make some myself, I don't charge myself much for my time14 weeks later: a bridgeport emerges.
    Thanks for the link anyway!
    Peter

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
    Posts
    208

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by StrayAlien View Post
    Peter, the plated are printed not etched, so I'm goint to start with that - PCB stuff.
    Greg,
    Any chance you can point me in a direction to see how that is done?
    Thanks,
    Peter

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    470

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WoodBee2 View Post
    Mark,
    Thanks for your reply. With that kind of pricing the old ones will have to stay. That's half the price of what I paid for the machine. That was before my "TLC", but still....
    I am kind of hoping to find a way to make some myself, I don't charge myself much for my time14 weeks later: a bridgeport emerges.
    Thanks for the link anyway!
    Peter
    No worries Peter, yeah i am going to fix my old plates myself as well.

    Cheers,
    Mark.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    843

    Default

    For the oiler SN# plate, PCB paper like this:

    https://www.jaycar.com.au/press-n-pe...-film/p/HG9980

    I haven't tried it, but worth a shot I reckon. There are other brands out there as well.

    Greg.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    843

    Default

    Simon, thanks very much. There really isn't too many projects going on here. The BP is kind of a distraction. I already had a mill but had wanted something more solid that took 'roughly' the same shed space. Opportunity knocked. I did have a leaning towards BPs though and had been keeping a weather eye out for a few years.

    The 'go hard' thing on it was just to get it done to get back on track with the grinder and some other things -Iike a 40's hercus power hacksaw that wants love.

    Hopefully you managed to find the replacement parts for your mill you were after.

    Greg

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    I have used that press and peel stuff quite a bit over the years.

    It works ok with some practise and fine tuning of the temp of the iron.

    I often struggled to get really crisp circuit lines less than about 0.75mm thick which was no big deal as i just made my circuit tracks 40 thou or so. I never made any really high tech intricate circuits so it was fine.

    I assume you are using it to make some artwork but how do you plan to do it?

    Are you making the plate out of single layer copper circuit board?

    Simon



    Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
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    Default

    Hi Greg. You replied while i was replying!

    Im in the process of making that new part from scratch. Most of the hard parts are done. Just the curvy asthetic parts left.

    One things for sure i love the quill power feed feature on these mills. I used the mill to make its own part and used the power feed to bore a hole. So much better than having to feed by hand and the finish is as good as doing it on the lathe.

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

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