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MILLING MACHINE

BILLYZ
I've been looking at a few mills and talking to different people about what to get, and i'm getting 50/50 answers. On one side, they're saying get a good used Bridgeport. Well, in my price range (around $4000, less would be better) good is a relative term. The thinking on this side of the question is that the Bridgeport new was "in spec.", very tight tolerences, an excellent machine and even if it's worn out compared to a new Bridgeport, it's still better than anything i can buy new in my pricerange like Grizzley, Enco, or MSC.
The other side is NO! The reason that $20,000 Bridgeport is so cheap is because it's worn out. "machinists don't just get tired of a machine and decide to go spend 20grand on a new one, they wear 'em out and replace them." A new machine of any make will be better than one name brand and worn out.
Well, that's what i'm hearing from the good 'ol boy's network. Ask 10 people, 5 say new, 5 say used. I don't have 3phase power, don't want to spend the extra to buy a converter if i don't have to, so try to keep that in mind. Your thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences will be appriciated. Thanks, BZ
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • cpermd
    I bought a very nice used Bridgeport for $1800.
    With the industrial economy of the US declining these have become cheaper and cheaper.
    That is the reason Bridgeport went under and is "Reorganizing" now
    Just remember it is used,the backlash and always approach from the same direction and it will work fine and save you a ton of $$$.
    Otherwise get a Taiwanese Rong Fu,NOT the one from mainland china.
    cpermd
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  • Alpine
    I have used Bridgeports, and the offshore copies. I now have two Laguns w/ digital readouts. I prefer the Laguns. It depends on how you are going to use it and what kind of tolerances you are working to. Unless you use the mill 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year you will not wear one out. There are a lot of used machines out there that are not worn out, but you have to know what you are looking for. Tables have adjustable jibs, but quills have to be rebuilt. Some spindle brakes are replaceable (Lagun), but others (Bridgeport) are very difficult.
    The machine is only half the purchase, cause you can't use the machine unless you tool it, and that cost is as much as the machine itself.
    Good luck!

    "If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."
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  • Der Gebirgsjager
    Hi, Billy--I was trained on an old Bridgeport and went with what I knew; but bought a Birmingham (Taiwan)copy of a Bridgeport--$4,200 in 1993. It has proven very satisfactory for gunsmithing use. I think you'll have to base your decision on what use you're going to put it to, and how much how often. There is certainly wisdom in what the other posters are saying....a bargain price does not necessarily mean that the machine is worn out, but you should certainly have an experienced machinist friend look it over before you buy it. Also, tooling is very expensive. Sometimes, by looking around and being patient, you can get the right deal where a lot of tooling is included with the machine. My machine is 3-phase and I did buy a converter; but the same machine could have been ordered in regular 220. I wanted a Bridgeport, but wanted a new machine--and a new Bridgeport was financially out of reach. Best wishes in your search.

    Edited by - Der Gebirgsjager on 12/01/2002 11:54:31
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  • BILLYZ
    Thanks to all who have answered. I will be using the machine mostly for HOBBY gunsmithing I'm NO PRO. I have just discovered in the past couple years that there's alot more to it than building muzzle loaders. I've found a hobby that now consumes as much time and money as i can spare. The wife's ok. with it though, so i press on. Seems like if i'm not shooting, cleaning, or reloading, i've got something tore down seeing how it works and if i think i can make it better. So no, the mill won't be used but a few hours a week. I do have a friend who is not a machinist, but did go through 2 years of school at a tech. college after high school, and he keeps saying we'll look around.... two years later here i am asking for your opinions. He travels and is gone more than he's here so i hate to take up what little family time he has. Any opinions change? assuming i opt. for new, Grizzley or Enco? Any other brands i don't know about in my price range?
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  • razerface
    i'm "Tool & Die" for the last 25 yrs. Buy a bridgeport. They can be had for $3000 and under, varible speed, in good shape. There are actually more avail each year as everything goes CNC more everyday. You can buy tooling cheap from china or better yet, from flea markets ect. I prefer to pay for american tooling 95% of the time. Guess it depends on your viewpoint,,,,,i buy american whenever i can. If you buy the other crap,,,get square ways,,chinese can't heat treat nothin right.

    OR,,buy a wore out bridgport for $600-1000,,,,around here, pay 2500-3000 to rebuild by professionals to brand new.

    Edited by - razerface on 12/01/2002 20:08:25
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  • Alpine
    Don't be afraid of a 3 phase machine, rotory phase converters are better than static converters. One phase converter can start more than one machine (phase converters only start 3 phase motors, 3 phase motors will run on single phase power but with 1/3 less power than they would normally have).
    The only reason I bring this up is that next you will be looking for a lathe. I know how this works, cause I went through the same progression you are embarking on. Just one mill, then just a lathe and a mill, then two mills and a lathe, then two verticle mills and one horizontial mill and one lathe, then .....
    You see what I mean?

    "If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."
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  • cpermd
    I even got 3 phase to my shop behind my house run for free!:)
    cpermd
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  • select-fire
    Go with the Bridgeport. Buy one while being used. If the seller won't let you hook up an indicator to try it out... walk away. Granted some are worn out but still unless they are really really worn out the Bridgeport will still outpreform a new cheapie mill. Just walk in a few tool rooms and see if there is anything else
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  • celse
    lISTEN TO WHAT RAZERFACE SAYS HE RIGHT ON. YOU CAN FIND A GOOD BRIDGEPORT IN THAT PRICE RANGE I GOT MY BRIDGEPORT 9"X42" VARITABLE SPEED WITH TWO AXES READOUT CROME WAYS FOR $3500.00. DON'T BUY IMPORT TOOLING IT IS NOT AS GOOD AND IN SOME CASES JUNK.
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