Bridgeport Manual to CNC conversion...

**Muzzer** · 11-07-2018

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** · 11-07-2018

Originally Posted by 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.....

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

**Muzzer** · 11-07-2018

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** · 11-07-2018

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**Muzzer** · 11-07-2018

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** · 11-07-2018

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks, have seen a DIY solution for Z where the machines are 2 axis only. One of these (bridgeport or clone), worth looking at then?

Ive got Thor for aluminium but would like something for steels or larger work area.

**Chaz** · 11-07-2018

This is perfect but cant get a response from the seller - https://london.craigslist.co.uk/tld/...611374089.html

**Muzzer** · 11-07-2018

Generally on a quill machine the Z axis is done by driving the quill through a yoke attached where the feed stop used to be.

Have a look at what I've been doing - some CAD models here https://mightyshiz.blogspot.com/2018...on-z-axis.html

**Chaz** · 11-07-2018

Originally Posted by Muzzer

Generally on a quill machine the Z axis is done by driving the quill through a yoke attached where the feed stop used to be.

Have a look at what I've been doing - some CAD models here https://mightyshiz.blogspot.com/2018...on-z-axis.html

Thanks, appreciate sharing this.