R
rpmachining
Guest
Does anyone have any good tips or information/experience relating to methods of resurfacing a Bridgeport table?
Last week, I purchased a Bridgeport for use in my home shop. It's an early 1970's machine, but it was just rebuilt. New bearings and bushings throughout, new lead screws, all ways rescraped, dovetails and gibs realigned/adjusted, and new paint. NICE! The only thing that wasn't done was a regrind of the table (probably to save $'s). Not that it really needs it. The table shows only the normal wear of a 30 yr old machine, a few minor pits and dings, and a few slots made by careless operators. It's more of an aesthetic issue.
I talked to a local grind shop that specializes in Bridgeports and he can grind the top and sides of the table for $115. Sounds reasonable, but he warned that this sequence is backwards - once you break the "skin" of an old casting there is a (good) chance that the table will stress-relive itself and warp. This would require the bottom dovetails to be reground, which would then naturally lead into a new round of rescraping an aligning the saddle ways etc.
He suggested that if it is just a cosmetic issue, I simply go to work on the table with a good stone and plenty of kerosene.
Has anyone tried this? Were the results worth it? Would rescraping be a better option? Again, it’s not that the table is mechanically defective. I just want the appearance of the table to reflect the quality of the other work that's already gone into the machine as it embarks on its new life.
Thanks
RP
[This message has been edited by rpmachining (edited 02-12-2003).]
Last week, I purchased a Bridgeport for use in my home shop. It's an early 1970's machine, but it was just rebuilt. New bearings and bushings throughout, new lead screws, all ways rescraped, dovetails and gibs realigned/adjusted, and new paint. NICE! The only thing that wasn't done was a regrind of the table (probably to save $'s). Not that it really needs it. The table shows only the normal wear of a 30 yr old machine, a few minor pits and dings, and a few slots made by careless operators. It's more of an aesthetic issue.
I talked to a local grind shop that specializes in Bridgeports and he can grind the top and sides of the table for $115. Sounds reasonable, but he warned that this sequence is backwards - once you break the "skin" of an old casting there is a (good) chance that the table will stress-relive itself and warp. This would require the bottom dovetails to be reground, which would then naturally lead into a new round of rescraping an aligning the saddle ways etc.
Has anyone tried this? Were the results worth it? Would rescraping be a better option? Again, it’s not that the table is mechanically defective. I just want the appearance of the table to reflect the quality of the other work that's already gone into the machine as it embarks on its new life.
Thanks
RP
[This message has been edited by rpmachining (edited 02-12-2003).]