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Bridgeport on pallet

KentJohn

Plastic
Joined
Jan 18, 2019
Hi everyone. Im COMPLETELY new to machining so her comes a ridiculous question. Having a Bridgeport on a pallet is quite handy if your work area is small like mine, and removing the pallet is a pain (low ceiling), so apart from the dangers of the pallet failing and the machine falling, am I right in assuming that the milling results would also be terrible if done with the Bridgeport still mounted on a wooden pallet?
 
I've done it. If the pallet is rugged and stable go right ahead. A Bridgeport doesn't need to be leveled up like a lathe does in order to work properly. If the mill is leveled, you can then use a level to rough align parts in a vise, otherwise it's not important,
 
sounds really sketch .... haha just use good wood if your going to do some thing like that . iv seen welded platforms that the machines sits on .
 
Its a fucking bridgeport... its a floppy thing no matter what, this isn't a lathe. You gain no ridgidity by bolting it down. One buddy has his on skates so he can push it into a corner and pull it out when he needs the full table travel.
 
It's rare for me to disagree with Tyrone, but my Bridgeport is totally happy lag bolted to timbers. Note: not a flimsy pallet. I need my mill a little higher for easier use, and the fact that it's easy to move with a pallet jack is a bonus.

Lucky7
 
Hi everyone. Im COMPLETELY new to machining so her comes a ridiculous question. Having a Bridgeport on a pallet is quite handy if your work area is small like mine, and removing the pallet is a pain (low ceiling), so apart from the dangers of the pallet failing and the machine falling, am I right in assuming that the milling results would also be terrible if done with the Bridgeport still mounted on a wooden pallet?

It would depend on the design of the pallet.

Better to build a rolling base.
 
If you don't have time/money/experience to procure a rolling base, build a heavier duty "pallet" with some 4x4 or 6x6 timbers with 1x6's or 3/4" plywood on top. Should sit pretty level, and still give you the portability you're looking for. Make sure it's bolted to your base, and you're all set!
 
Mine is on 4x4's running front to back with 2x6s side to side. The 4x4s have a matching piece of 1/2" plywood on the bottom of each to make enough clearance height to get the pallet jack under it. Can't comment further as I haven't run the machine since I put it on this wood stand but it sure is easy to move around.

Steve
 
am I right in assuming that the milling results would also be terrible if done with the Bridgeport still mounted on a wooden pallet?

With the way Bridgeport mills leak oil all over the base, it does not seem like a good idea to have a wooden pallet base. The idea of a wooden base is not what I dislike, it's the nature of a leaky BP that leaves a oil stain on the concrete floor is what I don't care for.
 
Thanks for all the replies, very helpful!

So I tried some basic stuff with the Bridgeport still on the pallet and the results were absolutely terrible. I payed 150 dollars for a company to remove it and set it on the floor. The ceiling is low so specialist equipment was needed, and seemed worth the money to get it done safely and quickly. Tried it out yesterday and got great results doing exactly the same operations!
 
I have my Kent knee mill on a custom rolling base I threw together out of some scrap steel. The casters are a bit underrated but its low enough to the ground if one failed it would not be catastrophic. The crappy casters also mean it doesn't like to roll so it stays put. It is plenty sturdy for my needs and I have done a lot of work on it for a few years now. Also to note the CNC "rapids" at 400in/min don't bother it. I have a small shop so it is nice to be able to move it as I have re-organized my floor a few times and moving it is much easier this way.

base.JPG

kent_mill.jpg
 
My Index mill is on the pallet that it was on when I bought it. Someday, when I finish the extension on my shop, I'm going to put it on the floor. At least, that's what I've been saying for the last 5 years. Works fine.
 
Build a "pallet" of 3/4" plat a square 3/8"thick 4" square tubing bolt the mill to the pallet and your problem is solved. Mobile with a pallet jack and still ridged while sitting on the ground and raised up all most 5".
 








 
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