[How do I?] 1980 Bridgeport Series 1

AxeMaker

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Hello,

My Bridgeport was delivered Monday and I have not had a chance to do much to it other than a cursory once over. I noted a couple obvious problems with the quill stop and fine movement wheel, or lack thereof, below.

The power feed is totally botched, at a minimum the controls are. I am hoping the motor is still good.

Is there a concise document that I can use as a check list of things to check operationally and their order?

MILL TOP - MISSING PARTS.png


MILL POWER FEED.png

MILL POWER FEED 2.png

MILL SERVO MOTOR.png

Power Feed Motor.png
 
I noted a couple obvious problems with the quill stop and fine movement wheel, or lack thereof, below.

It is pretty rare to find a machine with the handwheel, they normally get lost because they are never used. The little roller knob for the quill feed For/Rev is missing, this is pretty common also, the quick fix is the screw in the end of the shaft as shown. I'm not seeing a missing screw in the quill stop, it looks normal. The clip on the bottom of the quill stop screw is normally a bit loose from use. You have to replace those sometimes, or just squeeze them back together a bit. The quill stop screw should be free to move up and down. I notice that the quill is locked. If it has to be locked to keep the quill from falling then the return spring is broken, and needs to be replaced.

The power feed is totally botched, at a minimum the controls are. I am hoping the motor is still good.

Yeah, pretty much. Looks like a complete teardown and wiring replacement is in order.

Is there a concise document that I can use as a check list of things to check operationally and their order?

Not that I know of.
 
Check out the Downloads section of our site. There are some good documents to reference there for Bridgeports.

Bridgeport Downloads

Also, even if you are not doing a complete rebuild this manual is excellent for all the details of maintaining and repairing. It is great for just basic machine operation and how it works. The material is priceless and well worth the money. I highly recommend you get a copy.

Guide to Bridgeport Renovation
 
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Check out the Downloads section of our site. There are some good documents to reference there for Bridgeports.

Bridgeport Downloads

Also, even if you are not doing a complete rebuild this manual is excellent for all the details of maintaining and repairing. It is great for just basic machine operation and how it works. The material is priceless and well worth the money. I highly recommend you get a copy.

Guide to Bridgeport Renovation


Thank you Randy. I was hoping to not having to spend the $20 for it. I will bite the bullet after I get a VFD and get it powered up. I've been downloading a bunch of files from the download area, it has good info!
 
It is pretty rare to find a machine with the handwheel, they normally get lost because they are never used. The little roller knob for the quill feed For/Rev is missing, this is pretty common also, the quick fix is the screw in the end of the shaft as shown. I'm not seeing a missing screw in the quill stop, it looks normal. The clip on the bottom of the quill stop screw is normally a bit loose from use. You have to replace those sometimes, or just squeeze them back together a bit. The quill stop screw should be free to move up and down. I notice that the quill is locked. If it has to be locked to keep the quill from falling then the return spring is broken, and needs to be replaced.



Yeah, pretty much. Looks like a complete teardown and wiring replacement is in order.



Not that I know of.

Hi Jim,

The quill returns okay, so I the spring is good. The mill was being used in the shop a day or two before I purchased it so I know it is working okay for the most part. Its just figuring out what needs to tweaked, fixed, or replaced.

The screw I mentioned in the quill stop was shown in the manual. Maybe it was just there as a "lock" for shipment and it gets removed during initial setup?

Why is the hand wheel rarely used?
 
There are a couple of common quill stops, the most common uses and upper indicator adjustment and a lower threaded locking ring. The other type has a quick release button on the depth indicator knob to allow one to depress the button and quickly slide it along the threaded shaft. You seem to have the latter which is missing the button, and has been adapted to the original style. Replacement: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Quick-Quill-Stop/G7316

The quill fine down feed wheel is missing, which is not uncommon as it slides on/off the shaft. As Jim mentioned some people use it (mostly used for slow feeding of larger drills and cutters), others do not, or it just gets lost through the years. Replacement http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Origina...embly-for-Bridgeport-BP-12193519/162129266511
 
The screw I mentioned in the quill stop was shown in the manual. Maybe it was just there as a "lock" for shipment and it gets removed during initial setup?

The screw shown in the manual is behind the quill stop screw, you can't see it but it's there. It secures the quill stop to the quill.

Why is the hand wheel rarely used?

They are pretty much useless, in 50 years I have never used one. I may actually have one around here somewhere.:)
 
I tried to post this earlier but I think because I was not logged in when I refreshed the screen I lost it... So if this info is redundant I apologize.

I was wrong about the quill. It does not return. The set screw is missing from the quill handle so it just slides off. There appears to be a plate with holes in a 360º circle on the plate... I assume that screws off and the spring is behind it?

Why doesnt anyone use the fine adjustment wheel? I use the one of my import mill a lot, especially when drilling.
 
I was wrong about the quill. It does not return.

Don't expect the quill to return like a drill press. The purpose of the spring is to just counterbalance the quill. At full extension it may retract for only about 75% of the travel and you may have to pull it up the final 25% or so. If the quill just falls or has no spring return at all, then the spring is broken.

The set screw is missing from the quill handle so it just slides off.

Depending on the design, you may need a bearing ball and spring under the set screw to engage with the groove in the hub. There are a number of aftermarket quill levers, and that one does not look like original BP.

There appears to be a plate with holes in a 360º circle on the plate... I assume that screws off and the spring is behind it?

Yes. There should be a few Youtube videos showing the replacement process.

Why doesnt anyone use the fine adjustment wheel? I use the one of my import mill a lot, especially when drilling.

In my opinion it is easier to ''feel'' the process using the quill handle. And generally you have more control rather than using the hand wheel.
 
Congrats on the new to you machine. There may be very compelling arguments for the other machines but IMO you cant go wrong with the classic BP. I would consider just getting a servo 140 feed or clone of. vs messing with fixing the original power feed. I think need for repair and adjustment of the flat springs on the BP quill is very common. It was one of the few things I needed to fix when I brought mine home. Would have been much easier having the repair manual when taking it apart though. A little head scratching and mechanical common sense later I was able to get it back together and working but that darn spring popped and unwound on me several times. About the fine quill feed hand wheels, I agree not many people use them and they get lost or tossed. Thats why when I went to look at my mill and saw it had one still attached I knew that machine was a keeper! I looked for quite awhile to find one that wasn't abused, neglected, clapped out and needing a total overhaul. Check out this tool porn. Original paint....
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