What is a fair price for a used "bridgeport" type mill?

[lukeo77]

I am a maintenance mechanic who in a previous life worked as a cnc and manual machinist. I am trying to convince my boss that he should purchase a manual mill and lathe for our shop. What is a fair price for a used variable speed bridgeport mill with a decent dro and power feed? How about an old monarch or leblonde lathe? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[wippin' boy]

2k on up, 5k puts you into the "clean" range i would think
i bought mine for .14 @ lb.

 

[HiNi]

Do the maintenance work, send the machine work out, next thing your boss will notice is your hung up on one job
when you could be billing more hours on multiple jobs or doing multiple jobs to keep the place running.
If you want to run CNC and manual machines, go work in a machine shop.

Develop a good relationship with a local machine shop, treat them like a valued service and they should treat you the same with quick turn around even for small jobs.

 

[Ohio_Ford_Farm]

I have been seeing this question a lot on here. .. I am not complaining just saying this is a common question. However I feel this changes from area to area. 5K puts you in the clean area for a knee mill? shit you can buy a new import for that price. I think the 2K is a better price. But here in my area now that a ton of industry has left Cleveland knee mills are pretty easy to find. My 2nd Bridgeport here is a 2 HP Vari drive with Taper quick change, DOR, Spacer, super clean, and LOTS of ericson tooling. I picked it up for $1700.00 However there was no vice on the table.

It falls in more of a supply and demand issue. Is there a lot of machines in your area to pick from? Are you stuck having to buy from a dealer or can you buy it from a person?

Next question is now that you talked your boss in to spending X amount on your two machines hows he going to react when you tell him .. Oh yea I need triple what you just spent for the machines to tool them and will need more money for that as well over time? Keep in mind Machines are CHEAP its the tooling that cost the money! You pick up a mill with some tooling and a vice, First job you need a 2nd vice, and some tooling that did not with it. Then the next job you need a Rot O table .... the list goes on.

If you think your spending too much on having stuff machined maybe look for another shop? You might find you are already getting a good deal or you might find a better place?

Just my thought.

 

[lukeo77]

I have to admit I miss the machine work. Perhaps that is clouding my judgement a bit.
Thanks for your input.

 

[wippin' boy]

shit you can buy a new import for that price.

Series 1 Milling Machine with 2J Vari-Drive Head - Knee Milling Machines | MSCDirect.com

op asked

What is a fair price for a used variable speed bridgeport mill with a decent dro and power feed?

next time I'll include unwanted info like how much low end import iron costs
along with retorical discussion on weather he even deserves to be able to drill a hole or not

 

[DMF_TomB]

I am a maintenance mechanic who in a previous life worked as a cnc and manual machinist. I am trying to convince my boss that he should purchase a manual mill and lathe for our shop. What is a fair price for a used variable speed bridgeport mill with a decent dro and power feed? How about an old monarch or leblonde lathe? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

.
i am also a maintenance mechanic and i spend about 10 to 60% of my time making parts.
.
1) i am far better at designing, fabricating cheaply, installing and making sure they work any machine improvements. i started making only a few parts a month and now many years later i make a few a week. my bosses have long ago concluded i am by far the better deal when having parts made at a lower price
.
2) my charge rate. if my machines are running well my time is already paid for so my time is free, tooling and metal costs i keep low because i have no interest in spending hundreds on tooling to save a few hours.
.
3) basically i have done many hundreds of parts / jobs at about 20% the cost of regular machine shops in the area. they cannot compete with me even if they cut their prices in half
.
you can start with small cheap HF machines or look for used machines in the area. i recommend getting a 2 axis CNC like a Prototrak mill. this allows you to cut arcs and bore holes. basically i use it often to cut out part shapes from a big sheet all the time.

 

[bhigdog]

I am a maintenance mechanic who in a previous life worked as a cnc and manual machinist. I am trying to convince my boss that he should purchase a manual mill and lathe for our shop. What is a fair price for a used variable speed bridgeport mill with a decent dro and power feed? How about an old monarch or leblonde lathe? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Around here I would say $2000/$2500 each would get you decent servicable machines for your needs. You'll wonder what you ever did without them. BTW, IMO a step head BP would be a better choice for you.........Bob

 

[Ohio_Ford_Farm]

Series 1 Milling Machine with 2J Vari-Drive Head - Knee Milling Machines | MSCDirect.com

op asked



next time I'll include unwanted info like how much low end import iron costs
along with retorical discussion on weather he even deserves to be able to drill a hole or not

The question was " What is a fair price for a used Bridgeport TYPE mill " They did not ask how much for a brand new fully loaded Bridgeport brand machine from a overpriced vendor was.

 

[jamie76x]

I would rather buy a 50 year old bridgeport that was made in CT over a new one made in china. And as someone mentioned I would buy a step head over the vari-drive. Those vari drive bushings suck!!!!

 

[wippin' boy]

serenity now!!

 

[RDCutter]

Festivus for the rest of us!

 

[svs]

When does "Airing of Grievances" end....it's time to get on with "Feats of Strength"

And yea 4 or 8K will let you do all kinds of little jobs faster than you can drive to a job shop.