Bridgeport Mill Restoration, Part 7 - Neck and Door

This time I get the neck installed, machine some new nuts for attaching to the neck, and detail out the door on the column.

[@huibhoogendoorn503]

Great paintwork on the door Kevin. To install the head with the four bolts, make an image off the BackSite of the head with the holes, on thin cartboard. Put the bolts in the (neck) then the cartboard sheet over the bolts so they manage the holes in the head. When the head is on you can teer down the cartboard out. On this dat you don't want to fiddeling out with the bolts on the right way.

[@KevinToppenberg]

That is a great idea. I've not heard of that before, but it sure seems like it would be very helpful. Thanks!

[@dustinyoung3265]

Let's gooo! Getting close.

[@KevinToppenberg]

Yeah, it's starting to look good, right?

[@dpmesse]

Make yourself a spring loaded tap follower! Good project and seems to really help tapping on machines dead straight

[@KevinToppenberg]

Great idea! Thanks for watching!

[@christinepryor5893]

Making those nuts was so cool! I liked your movie magic at the 14:20 mark showing how “easy” the other 3 were to make 😂. That little door looks faboo! You could hide stuff in the bottom of that mill- for security purposes or just for fun lol

[@KevinToppenberg]

Like store my "stash" in that bottom part? Genius!

[@Rusty-Metal]

Part is called knuckle slang, but officially called ram adapter. The long nuts are for the left side and used so you can thread them on/get to them easily as the downfeed mech is in the way. The normal nuts go on the right. Your hardware is correct.

[@KevinToppenberg]

Well, dang it! I just went and looked at a KZbin video from H&W on Bridgeport Head removal, and you are right. Two long nuts on the left, and normal nuts on the right. So I didn't need to make those extra nuts. Sigh.... Live and learn I guess. Thanks for the info about knuckle. I couldn't find the proper name.

[@huibhoogendoorn503]

Kevin, your spindeloiler on the lath is drying out.😂

[@KevinToppenberg]

You are right, but let me explain. Those silly oilers have a flip lever on the top that turns the oil flow on or off. For the life of me, I can't remember to turn them off when I am done with the lathe. So I keep filling them up, only to return to find them empty. :-( But I'll put more oil in before I use it again. Thanks!

[@brucemansfield2501]

The tap you were using to thread those nuts is called a gun tap and is made to push the chips ahead of it when tapping a through hole.

[@KevinToppenberg]

Uh Oh! You sent me down a rabbit hole looking at all the different kinds of taps. Cool! Thanks!

[@MyLilMule]

Great attention to detail. Mine doesn't have that side door, although I wish it did. That piece goes between the head and the ram is called a "ram adapter."

[@KevinToppenberg]

Thanks for the info about the nomenclature. Others have also called it a "knuckle". I couldn't find that info online. Regarding the door, I think as the years have gone by, Bridgeport makers have found ways to streamline manufacturing. For example, my ram has the word "Bridgeport" right in the casting. But later Bridgeports just have it as a plaque that is attached to the side. I suspect cutting out the door was another cost-savings measure. Thanks!

[@MyLilMule]

@@KevinToppenberg There were multiple foundries that made the column and knees, maybe even the table and saddle. I think at some point, Bridgeport started only making the heads. I have a installation/maintenance manual from Bridgeport that labels it a ram adapter. I would imagine there are plenty of things to call it.

[@KW-ei3pi]

Looking great! Love the paint work! I painted mine 2 years ago and it's almost the same color! Though I didn't detail it like yours. Regards.

[@KevinToppenberg]

Thank you. I just hope I'm not just putting lipstick on a pig! Ha!

[@KW-ei3pi]

@@KevinToppenberg I'm sure you are not. Even and old and very worn Bridgeport can make good parts. Mine will.

[@kenny5174]

The "neck part is for the head to nod. the last part is for tilt.

[@KevinToppenberg]

Thanks!

[@NRDavis-wl8vn]

It isn't cutting cause: Tool bit not on Center RPM is too fast unless you can increase the feed to match Too much hanging out causes Flex in the Part Tool not Sharp Your getting the hang of it 👍

[@KevinToppenberg]

Thanks. Before I got this SB lathe, I used a small craftsman that had laxity in the spindle bearings. On multiple occasions when I would try to part off a piece, the cutter would suddenly jam in the cut, the part would roll up onto the cutter, and something would suddenly snap with great vigor. So I think I still have PTSD thinking that the same is going to happen again. So the whole process makes me anxious. Ultimately I think it was because I didn't have the height of the cutter just right. But I'll keep your other tips in mind too next time. Thanks!

[@terrymoorecnc2500]

Part #33 is a Ram Adapter.

[@KevinToppenberg]

I have had others tell me about "ram adapter" as well. But none have mentioned it's part number. Cool!

[@terrymoorecnc2500]

@@KevinToppenberg Sold a ton of Bridgeports back in the 90's and been running them since the 70's. What's the serial number on that machine? You will find it on the knee in front of the Cross feed handle.

[@KevinToppenberg]

@@terrymoorecnc2500 Sorry for the late reply, I kept forgetting to check for the serial number when I was in the shop. I have it now. On the left, there is a 12/BR symbol (12 above the BR and a horizontal line between them, like a fraction), and then 110933. Can you tell me anything about my machine from this number? Thanks in advance.

[@terrymoorecnc2500]

@@KevinToppenberg It was built in 68. I knew it was a 60's machine from the door. The door is where the collet rack is typically stored. Most of the machines I sold starting in the 90's had chrome ways and gibs. The best thing you can do for that head is put it on an Engine stand so you can work on it. Send the spindle out and get bearings put in it, convert from a 3 bearing to a 5 bearing setup. Lot's of Bridgeport parts still available from a variety of sources even some here in TN.

[@KevinToppenberg]

This is good information. I like you suggestion about the engine stand. I'll have to think about the bearing issue. Thanks so much for your feedback!