Bridgeport Manual to CNC conversion...

[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]

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.

[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

[Chaz]

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.

[Chaz]

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

[Muzzer]

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

That looks pretty nice. Seems remarkably cheap. If it is all there, sounds ideal. Even if it's not working it might be worth it.

[Chaz]

Id buy this but its too tall and probably needs more power than I can provide.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bridgepor....c100005.m1851