What 'decent' Milling machine?

[dodgygeeza]

Totally agree with Jazz on this, Look for an old Bridgeport Interact.
I picked a dead one up for £600 and they are much better and easier to retrofit.

[Chaz]

Totally agree with Jazz on this, Look for an old Bridgeport Interact.
I picked a dead one up for £600 and they are much better and easier to retrofit.

Thanks both.

I actually went to Amadeal today and looked at their stock. A bit dissapointed, not 100% what I was expecting but still managed to see a X5 in the flesh. Decent looking, a lot of money. If there is a recommended 'old' machine to mod, Im up for it as long as its mainly electronics and not making a lot of plates and brackets etc as I have nothing really to easily fabricate with.

Ill look at Bridgeport Interacts. Any other to consider?

Ideally Id use this to make something custom with a high speed spindle if needed.

[Chaz]

Totally agree with Jazz on this, Look for an old Bridgeport Interact.
I picked a dead one up for £600 and they are much better and easier to retrofit.

There are a number of these on ebay, with an 'older' type of CNC system. Are those systems usable or should it be chucked and something more modern applied? How much of their current electronics can be reused (if at all)?

Do you have any info about how you modded yours?

Was it the same as this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bridgeport...torefresh=true

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRIDGEPORT...item339b378f32

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bridgeport...item2351d7cad7

or similar?

Thanks

[komatias]

I spotted that last Interact. If you can mod it to run off single phase, it is a steal..

[Chaz]

I spotted that last Interact. If you can mod it to run off single phase, it is a steal..

This one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bridgeport...c=1&rmvSB=true

[komatias]

yes that is the one

[Chaz]

What is this worth?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denford-Tr...item3aa95b6db3

This might give me a starting point at least. Id be willing to spend a bit more for 'better' but short of someone building me a custom machine (hint hint Jazz), not a lot of options ready to go. Im loathed to spend as much as £5 - 8K on a Syil or similar unless its felt that its worth it .... dont believe it is from advise thus far.