shaggy
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2010
- Location
- Oakland CA
Hi guys. I'm looking for some feedback on a really old Bridgeport round ram mill. I run pretty much of a hobby shop, though I try to make it useful and sometimes pay. Finding and keeping my old machines running is a big part of the hobby, of course. I've got old U.S. iron from the 40s, 50s and 60s. I once had an SB workshop lathe that was about this vintage, but this would potentially be the oldest machine in my collection, and I'm a little nervous of a perhaps too-backward move. On the other hand, 'they don't make 'em like this anymore'(pretty much my motto!)
My initial reaction was 'uh-oh, cool, but no thanks', but having thought about it a bit, I'll be honest, I'm curious. It's surely a collector's item (just like all my other machinery), but the price is right (I think), and if it's useable and without any deal-breaking issues, it could be just what I want.
I know it's MT2, and there may be some other issues I haven't thought of yet. One of the main things to me is it might be a little easier to move than a later BP. I don't know for sure, it just looks more manageable. Or am I wrong about that? I intend dismantling to get most of it in my SUV, several trips if necessary (I've done this with smaller mills, anyway. We'll see. I'd love to know what just the bare base weighs, btw!)
The seller is a nice guy, very much on my wavelength, and very helpful, and the machine looks like a faithful servant that's never been left out in the weather or forgotten. OK, that means probably a lot of wear -- like most of my other machines(!) I can adapt, so not a deal breaker. Oh, asking price is $1250, tho' I might possibly get it for a little less.
(BTW, I asked, and the tilt head is set strangely at 90 degrees because apparently there's an issue with it not locking. I'll have to find out more about that... will be looking at it on Saturday, so will post more then.)
I've attached a few pics below. Would very much appreciate any comments -- thanks!
Dave
My initial reaction was 'uh-oh, cool, but no thanks', but having thought about it a bit, I'll be honest, I'm curious. It's surely a collector's item (just like all my other machinery), but the price is right (I think), and if it's useable and without any deal-breaking issues, it could be just what I want.
I know it's MT2, and there may be some other issues I haven't thought of yet. One of the main things to me is it might be a little easier to move than a later BP. I don't know for sure, it just looks more manageable. Or am I wrong about that? I intend dismantling to get most of it in my SUV, several trips if necessary (I've done this with smaller mills, anyway. We'll see. I'd love to know what just the bare base weighs, btw!)
The seller is a nice guy, very much on my wavelength, and very helpful, and the machine looks like a faithful servant that's never been left out in the weather or forgotten. OK, that means probably a lot of wear -- like most of my other machines(!) I can adapt, so not a deal breaker. Oh, asking price is $1250, tho' I might possibly get it for a little less.
(BTW, I asked, and the tilt head is set strangely at 90 degrees because apparently there's an issue with it not locking. I'll have to find out more about that... will be looking at it on Saturday, so will post more then.)
I've attached a few pics below. Would very much appreciate any comments -- thanks!
Dave
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