Bridgeport power feed identification

D

Davemorl

Plastic

Joined

Sep 14, 2016

• Jul 5, 2019

• #1

Hi,

I have a Bridgeport series 1 J head and it has a power feed. I was wondering if someone could help Identify the model and maybe some help in maintenance of it.

It is functioning correctly but the speed lever is very stiff at the lower speeds and the direction lever is a bit temperamental in one direction.

Screenshot_20190705-202303_Gallery.jpg - Google Drive

Thanks,
Dave.

 

D

Dan from Oakland

Titanium

Joined

Sep 15, 2005

Location

Oakland, CA

• Jul 5, 2019

• #2

Make sure its full of oil and lubricate all the moving parts. It is the early factory power feed unit. Most of them died from lack of lubrication.

 

rons

Diamond

Joined

Mar 5, 2009

Location

California, USA

• Jul 5, 2019

• #3

It is a old Bridgeport power feed except for the gear shift. That was welded together. The original part is one piece.



Wouldn't hurt to clean the gear stack inside and whatever else is gummed up.

 

M.B. Naegle

Diamond

Joined

Feb 7, 2011

Location

Conroe, TX USA

• Jul 5, 2019

• #4

Those old mechanical feed units work well for what they do. They're fairly integrated into the lead screw though, so IMO unless it's been gutted of parts or is a total basket case, you're better off running with it than trying to upgrade to a newer system. The only thing better than it would be a CNC conversion with ball screws, but that's a whole other conversation...

 

O

Oilyneil

Plastic

Joined

Jul 6, 2019

Location

Wiltshire

• Jul 6, 2019

• #5

I have one of those powerfeeds spare if you would like it? I changed to a servo one for using faster travel and the joy of a rapid button.

Damm heavy thing to be hanging off the end of the table.

 

D

Davemorl

Plastic

Joined

Sep 14, 2016

• Jul 6, 2019

• #6

What do you mean the lead screw is integrated?

If I wanted to remove this would I need to replace it with a new leadscrew?

I am in the UK Neil, where about are you?
I will be opening it up next week and having a look. If there is anything heavily worn or broken I may need to replace or repair so a spare may come in handy.

Thanks,
Dave.

 

rons

Diamond

Joined

Mar 5, 2009

Location

California, USA

• Jul 6, 2019

• #7

Oilyneil said:

Damm heavy thing to be hanging off the end of the table.

Click to expand...

When not in use move table so that the weight is even across the mill. That means the powerfeed is held closer to the saddle.

 

O

Oilyneil

Plastic

Joined

Jul 6, 2019

Location

Wiltshire

• Jul 7, 2019

• #8

I've PM'd you David,,hopefully !

 

G

gustafson

Diamond

Joined

Sep 4, 2002

Location

People's Republic

• Jul 7, 2019

• #9

IF you wire the three phase backwards it breaks the shift lever off. That is why there is a fabricated one

Guess how I know....

 

P

projectnut

Stainless

Joined

Mar 4, 2006

Location

Wisconsin

• Jul 7, 2019

• #10

Davemorl said:

What do you mean the lead screw is integrated?

If I wanted to remove this would I need to replace it with a new leadscrew?

I am in the UK Neil, where about are you?
I will be opening it up next week and having a look. If there is anything heavily worn or broken I may need to replace or repair so a spare may come in handy.

Thanks,
Dave.

Click to expand...

On my 1972 model the power feed shaft goes through the end bearing and attaches to the lead screw. The shaft on the power feed is about 6" long. In my case the power feed was fried and partially disassembled so rather than hunt around for parts I made a short shaft and reinstalled the manual hand crank. The crank has been working for nearly 20 years without problems. Should I ever want to install one of the newer style power feeds it's just a matter of removing the crank handle and dials.

One downside to this style power feed is that the X table travel is 2" shorter than machines with the manual crank lead screw. Rather than a 30" traverse it only has a 28" traverse. Should the lead screw and/or nuts get worn to the point they need to be replaced I will order a standard lead screw and use a Servo power feed.

I'm not quite sure why, but the X lead screw for the mechanical power feed is more expensive than the longer standard one.

1098 - Longitudinal Feed Screws

 

C

Clive603

Titanium

Joined

Aug 2, 2008

Location

Sussex, England

• Jul 7, 2019

• #11

Given how old the mechanical feed drive systems are I'm surprised that you can still get new feedscrews.

If anyone in the UK wants one I have a brand new one sitting around that I'd sell for £ very reasoanable. Came with a box of new spares some of which I wanted, some I only thought I did and some the vendor insisted I take!

Clive

 

D

Davemorl

Plastic

Joined

Sep 14, 2016

• Jul 7, 2019

• #12

gustafson said:

IF you wire the three phase backwards it breaks the shift lever off. That is why there is a fabricated one

Guess how I know....

Click to expand...

I noticed this when I wired it up. Thankfully before it broke anything!

 

K

Kpz11

Plastic

Joined

Dec 12, 2019

• Aug 6, 2021

• #13

Oilyneil said:

I have one of those powerfeeds spare if you would like it?

Click to expand...

Do you still happen to have it?

 

O

Oilyneil

Plastic

Joined

Jul 6, 2019

Location

Wiltshire

• Aug 7, 2021

• #14

It's still in the shed, do you need parts? Pm'd you.