CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 (edited) I finished assembling my Bridgeport. Here are some pictures and commentary. After positioning the column, I used an engine hoist to lower the knee onto the column while lining up the elevating inch screw with the pedestal. Edited December 21, 2008 by CSEMARTIN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Next, I installed the knee/column gib and tightened it down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 The spider is positioned inside the column, and the turret and ram were lowered down onto the column. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Before sliding the saddle on the knee, install the chip guards and rear wiper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 The feed nut bracket assembly is a little tricky (for me it was anyway). You have to carefully position this piece, and it has to be turned 90 degrees to get it to fit through the saddle, then turn it back 90 degrees to line it up for the lead screw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Now that the assembly is in place, tighten down the four bolts that hold it in place. Once the table is on, you can't get at them again (I learned that the hard way). With the assembly ready to go, thread in the lead screw and secure the cross feed bearing bracket to the knee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Now, the saddle/knee gib is installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Now, slide on the table and install the gib. (Don't forget to tighten the bolts on the feed nut bracket assembly) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 (edited) I installed the left table end bracket and fed the lead screw from the opposite end of the table. Once the lead screw is all the way through the feed nut bracket assembly, install the right table end bracket and secure to the table. At this point, both handles should be off so the graduation dials can be slid into place. Edited December 21, 2008 by CSEMARTIN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Both graduation dials, knurled dial lock nuts and handles are placed on the lead screw and secured with a nut on each end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Line the bolts up on the ram, slide on the head and tighten the nuts. By this time, it was really late so I did it by myself. This step really pissed me off. It didn't go well!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 I still need to put the motor on, but it's basically done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dunn Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Very nice! Thanks for posting pics of the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 You so rock! I need to take mine apart to move it and that is exactly what I needed - pictures and description. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Hello: You should have painted it first Great pics though. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 (edited) Nicely done! I'm sure a lot of people will benefit from this knowledge. Thanks for sharing. Edited December 23, 2008 by Toolguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 (edited) I'm in the process of installing my ACU-RITE VUE digital read out ( http://www.acu-rite.com/view/vue-readout-systems.aspx ) But before I began, I replaced my Quill Feed Handle with this: Edited December 23, 2008 by CSEMARTIN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Several members on this forum recommended Mike at http://candomachinery.com/index.html I bought an Acu-Rite DRO, and I began installing it tonight. Mike gave me a good deal, but the mounting bracket wasn't that great. I ended up having to go to ACE Hardward to get washers that would fit. The washers that came with the kit were too thick. You will need to drill and tap two 5/16-18 by 5/8" holes in order to mount the bracket. Then follow the directions to mount the unit. I added two nylon washers to the LCD display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooterready Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Looking good Doc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin J Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Thanks for posting this! Isn't mounting the head a pain! It took me a while to figure out the rigging for getting it done solo. I really like that lift you're using, it's a lot wider at the base than the HF I have. Great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Isn't mounting the head a pain! Man, you said it!!! That was the hardest part! I hope this thread helps some guys out there. I couldn't find anything on the net on how to take apart/assemble one. Getting one in the basement is difficult, but not impossible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSEMARTIN Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 Did I put my table on backwards? Is the T-slot supposed to go in the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z40acp Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Do you mean the slot in the front for the stops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billfer Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Nice mill. The DRO your installing should make that thing rock. I can't believe you were able to get that into the basement, those castings look like they weigh a ton! In one of the pictures I noticed a blue looking, I'm going to guess, boiler with vent openings at the top. You might want to guard it from chips that might fly that direction. Nice set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 T slot on the face of the table should be in the front. The slot is for the adjustable (by you) stops limiting the table movement either towords the right or left. If you add an X axis table power feed the table movement limit stops will be mounted in this slot. CYa, Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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