Bridgeport decisions...

[steviec_lj]

Like buses, there’s nothing for an eternity, then three turn up at once!

Racking my brains on this one, so your assistance would be lovely.

#1: Swift Turret Mill, essentially a Bridgeport just has a Swift badge. 42x9” table and a set of collects 3-20mm, swarf tray, DRO, power feed on the X axis. 3 phase.

#2: Bridgeport. 36x9” table, with a box of straps etc for work holding, and a big vice. Wants the lube system looking at as there’s a pipe missing. No DRO, no power feed. 3 phase.

#3: Bridgeport. 42x9” table I believe. Wants a little work on the handles and knobs tightening, pulleys rub together in the head so it sounds noisy. DRO fitted but untested, power feed possibly but it looks abused. Recently converted to single phase. A few dings to the table where someone’s been a little heavy handed with the down feed.

Power wise, it isn’t an issue as I’ve a phase converter that can be put in the new workshop I’m going to have to fabricobble together for this, a surface grinder and a Colchester.

Sorely tempted to go with the Swift badger unit as it looks to be the better of the 3.

Opinions? Sorry, no pictures on my phone.

 

[sako243]

Sounds like #1 is ready to go - is that an important factor?

 

[mtt.tr]

buy the one with the best ways, everything else is pretty cheap

 

[frank horton]

when I bought mine I went for the older J head.....just a drive belt + high n low....
no stupid gears and vari speed....

 

[steviec_lj]

when I bought mine I went for the older J head.....just a drive belt + high n low....
no stupid gears and vari speed....

Frank, all of the ones that seem to be up at reasonable money currently, have the J-Head so no real decision to be made there thankfully.

Looking at the Swift badged Bridgeport the table is unmarked which makes a change. The 42” and 36” tables Bridgeport’s both look to have sustained light damage.

Finance won’t know what to do when this goes through, I’ve made sure all of the knives are hidden though.

 

[steviec_lj]

Sounds like #1 is ready to go - is that an important factor?

#1 does sound and look like it’s ready to go, and will save quite a bit of messing around to be honest.

buy the one with the best ways, everything else is pretty cheap

#1 again, looking on various sites all parts are readily available, with exception on the table. So yes..

 

[Munkul]

Most Bridgeports were made under licence anyway, weren't they? So a Swift shouldn't be any better/worse than any other - "now" condition is everything.

 

[steviec_lj]

Most Bridgeports were made under licence anyway, weren't they? So a Swift shouldn't be any better/worse than any other - "now" condition is everything.

Yes, I believe most of the “Bridgeport” mills in the UK were built under licence by Adcock & Shipley.

 

[500e]

@steviec_lj Lose the gun cabinet key as well
Friend has a Bridgeport for sale as well, "must be in season" also floor standing pillar drill & a Harrison lathe.
Will find out details if anyone interested & put them in for sale, will be collect only South Somerset Yeovil area

 

[frank horton]

Stevi, quite a few have had the table feed, 9left to right whatever axis that is)....have had elecrtic conversions....
they were 240 with a transformer and vari speed......
none of that about when I bought mine but think that system is over 400 squids....spres who knows...prob just bin it if it goes bad......
mine has the original mechanical gearbox...gotta say only a couple of times would I have like something for adjustable speed.....at least these old mechanical boxes u can re-fettle.....mine had a worn pin in the handle...easy fix...

 

[steviec_lj]

@steviec_lj Lose the gun cabinet key as well
Friend has a Bridgeport for sale as well, "must be in season" also floor standing pillar drill & a Harrison lathe.
Will find out details if anyone interested & put them in for sale, will be collect only South Somerset Yeovil area

Gun cabinet key is with me at work

Could be interested in the Harrison, depending on details and price of course.

Yeovil is a bit of a distance to be dragging the best part of a ton of Bridgeport back, only need to nip to Keighley for this one

 

[steviec_lj]

Stevi, quite a few have had the table feed, 9left to right whatever axis that is)....have had elecrtic conversions....
they were 240 with a transformer and vari speed......
none of that about when I bought mine but think that system is over 400 squids....spres who knows...prob just bin it if it goes bad......
mine has the original mechanical gearbox...gotta say only a couple of times would I have like something for adjustable speed.....at least these old mechanical boxes u can re-fettle.....mine had a worn pin in the handle...easy fix...

Not sure what the plan is power wise as yet, only have single phase, even on the farm so it’s either a VFD or another converter.

Power X feed looks to be in good working order, needs a bit of a clean up but it can be put straight to work which is something of a priority.

Would 2 lathes, 2 mills, a shaper, surface grinder, 2 power saws and 2 200a migs be considered excessive?

 

[Ashley Burton]

Could be a good time to buy if several are up for sale!

Some people are sadly struggling financially, So unless it's getting used it goes up for sale I personally find

 

[mtt.tr]

Not sure what the plan is power wise as yet, only have single phase, even on the farm so it’s either a VFD or another converter.

Power X feed looks to be in good working order, needs a bit of a clean up but it can be put straight to work which is something of a priority.

Would 2 lathes, 2 mills, a shaper, surface grinder, 2 power saws and 2 200a migs be considered excessive?

Go vfd, makes the machines easier to use.

 

[500e]

Excessive! What here, would think not. Envy perhaps
Your talking to people who now have 5 Merlo's in the yard

 

[Maker]

It does sound excessive actually...

Let me take that surface grinder off your hands.

 

[sako243]

Yeovil is a bit of a distance to be dragging the best part of a ton of Bridgeport back, only need to nip to Keighley for this one

Pah, I did Surrey -> Sunderland -> Pembrokeshire and at least half of the last leg was done with a snapped crankshaft

 

[steviec_lj]

Pah, I did Surrey -> Sunderland -> Pembrokeshire and at least half of the last leg was done with a snapped crankshaft

Grimsby, York, Liverpool, Bristol back to Grimsby with poorly injectors.

Grimsby, Glasgow, Dumfries, Grimsby with a poorly turbo.

I think the only successful, fault free trip was at the beginning of the year to Coventry.

Love road trips, hate the hassle I get from SWMBO about spending another day on the road..

 

[pressbrake1]

Taiwanese Bridgeport clones are generally superior especially those made by king rich