Bridgeport Manual to CNC conversion...

[Muzzer]

What do you think of these? Three on eBay, one is a scam, same pics as another. 1800 to 3000 gbp.

https://auction.newengland.co.uk/lot...ling-machine-2

It claims to be a "universal" machine but a true universal machine would have a table that pivots. It's actually a heavy horizontal mill with a Bridgeport vertical (quill) head. The table feeds will be mechanical and hard to convert to servo.

Better to get an old-ish pukka CNC machine and upgrade the controls. You'd have your work cut out converting those to CNC. Imagine trying to change them over to ballscrews - or the backlash if you didn't.

[Chaz]

It claims to be a "universal" machine but a true universal machine would have a table that pivots. It's actually a heavy horizontal mill with a Bridgeport vertical (quill) head. The table feeds will be mechanical and hard to convert to servo.

Better to get an old-ish pukka CNC machine and upgrade the controls. You'd have your work cut out converting those to CNC. Imagine trying to change them over to ballscrews - or the backlash if you didn't.

Thanks, if I can find a machine that fits under my roof, Ill go for it. Willing to pay decent money for a good machine that I can work with.

[Muzzer]

Yes, got to be worth waiting for the right one. Buy in haste, repent at leisure etc. If you buy a heavy old dog you will be stuck with a money / effort pit.

The Shizuoka didn't sell for the starting price so I contacted the seller and suggested something more workable and he went with it.

I've seen people make a hole in the roof to make room for a taller machine.....

[Chaz]

Yes, got to be worth waiting for the right one. Buy in haste, repent at leisure etc. If you buy a heavy old dog you will be stuck with a money / effort pit.

The Shizuoka didn't sell for the starting price so I contacted the seller and suggested something more workable and he went with it.

I've seen people make a hole in the roof to make room for a taller machine.....

Rented house :-( Otherwise Id have no problem 'fixing' the roof.

[Muzzer]

As John says, converting a Bridgeport isn't really the best way to go. I'm also part way through doing one myself (I was doing it when I had the accident with the mouse on ebay) and their construction is nothing like a pukka machine. Having said that, there are quite a few BP-type CNC machines that were made as CNC from new, not just the Interact type. Get one of those with ballscrews, servos etc and fit a modern controller.

[Chaz]

As John says, converting a Bridgeport isn't really the best way to go. I'm also part way through doing one myself (I was doing it when I had the accident with the mouse on ebay) and their construction is nothing like a pukka machine. Having said that, there are quite a few BP-type CNC machines that were made as CNC from new, not just the Interact type. Get one of those with ballscrews, servos etc and fit a modern controller.

Thanks, how do I know which ones these are? I dont have the experience / knowledge? Is anything previously 'cnced' worth looking at?

[Muzzer]

I would say if it's been fitted with servos and a CNC controller from new, it's got to be a good candidate. Could be worn out of course but a lot of the work will have been done for you even then. If you spot one of these with an old controller, it may be a good price and not hard to update. The X and Y servos (and belt drive covers) are easy to spot. If it's only 2 axis, you can do the Z axis yourself.

[Chaz]

Anything here worth looking at?

http://www.traceymachinery.co.uk/milling.htm

The low profile machine seems reasonable however they have no ballscrews etc, so possibly not worth doing.