Finally got my milling machine

JF in MI

Well-known Member
I had a budget of $1600 (from the sale of some old tractor stuff) to buy a milling machine. I was going to buy a new Grizzly bench top machine but decided to check the local Craig’s list. Saw an auction for a closing machine shop and won a Taiwanese clone of a 2 HP Bridgeport J head for under $1k out the door (a thrill getting it home on a borrowed trailer). This was the source of an earlier question about voltage and 1 to 3 phase converters. After some serious cleaning I was pleased to see that it is in excellent condition. Only needed some minor knobs, small parts, and adjustments and serious cleaning and it’s almost like new. The ways are tight and the X and Y screws only have .003” play. I have since added an Igage 3 axis DRO. Also bought about $200 in some tooling. I found that most, but not all, of the bolts are Whitworth.
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Yes, anything 5/16th or larger was Whitworth but the smaller stuff was metric. I had to come up with a couple of M4 and M2 screws. For this reason I had to have 2 sets of Allen wrenches and do constant checking with a thread gauge. I know what you mean; a 1991 machine built like today's cars.
 
Yup, you're right on that. The excitement I had was in the heavy equipment trailer I borrowed to get it. It was an hour ride one way and the empty trailer would start to wag causing my van to wag also ant they both would get into harmonics. 6 times I had to slow down to 25 just to get the thing under control again. With the mill on the trailer it was fine and never did any kind of swaying.
 
I have a question,dose s the head twist 90deg?
I have been promised one but when they moved it in the building it was too tall and they tipped it to get in the door. It look like the head will just rotate and then the motor will clear the doorway to me.(it is a long story and a future funeral)
 
Yes, the head does tilt 90 deg. I decided to take the motor off to fit it through the door (its super simple and only 2 bolts). I also had to take the table off because the door wasn't wide enough (a bigger project that must be done carefully so as not to damage the screws).
 
You don't miss much. That room (off the main house) is not heated so far. I have been debating whether to insulate it or not, here's why; It has a steel roof and even when it's cold out, when the sun hits the side and roof, it gets very pleasant inside. Very usable in spring and fall. If I insulate I will lose that and have to heat it every time I want to use the room (which I can't afford). I did, however, figure out a way I may be able to have my cake and eat it with a creative insulation system I may try next year. I'll post if it works.
 

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