How to buy a mill machine

THIS IS MY MOST REQUESTED VIDEO, "HOW TO BUY A MILLING MACHINE". So I got into my truck Last NOVEMBER and drove 2000 miles to make this video for you. I went to see my good friends Jason and his brother Jamus from Fireball tool, to buy the perfect machine. So come along with me and I'll show my inspection proses for buying a mill.
I want to give a special shout out to Jamus for all the work he did on the video from shooting ,and editing this video. Thanks my good friend:-)
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[@dannyl2598]

Thanks Dale. That one is in the "you don't find em like that" category. I'll be glad to store that for you if you run out of room.

[@FireballTool]

That was fun Dale. I can’t wait to see what you build with it.

[@mathankumar6473]

This bridgeport is the best bridgeport anyone can ever buy. Ill pay some extra penny for this particular machine. Thats Y axis power feed is a jackpot. We dont see alot of this type of Y axis feed and this machine look so damn good and clean.I wish i can own a machine like this in my lifetime.im so jealous.whoever own this machine is the luckiest guy

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I agree :-)

[@Ohmcrazy2]

Dang that mill is the first Ive seen thats as close mint as mine is and definitely one of the few Ive seen that isn’t rebuilt, spray painted, trashed , rusty worn junk. Great score. Heart sunk a bit hearing the VS clatter but that’s fixable. Ive continued looking as a matter of habit for 10 years now since purchasing my 2J VS BP and have not come across one as nice since. Fix up the minor things and shes a keeper. 👍

[@rickpalechuk4411]

Great to see you post again Dale, you always have great topics and info. Don't leave us hanging so long please.:) Cheers

[@darthtrump4428]

ooh now you brought up the memories, how i bought my lathe, what i went with is a tape measure to find out if its gonna fit trough the doors, and that was all the measuring equipment i had with me 😂😂

[@EcoMouseChannel]

I need a mill, but every time I start looking around, the clapped out ones are going for $3k - $4k... at that point I'd rather pay the extra $1000 for a new import, with the features I actually want.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

The old one might still be better 50 years on than the new one though. Mechanically that is - not talking about DROs and power feeds and coolant pumps..

[@Dane33781]

Deals can be had. Look for retired/retiring machinists. I picked one up for $500 from a retired tool maker. It did need work but it's a tight machine. The previous owner was more concerned about his machine going to a good home than what he could get for it. The best deals aren't always advertised. Keep looking!

[@ssmt2]

For the Bridgeport mills with the flaked chromed ways for the “Y” direction, what will wear out is the bottom of the cast iron saddle. So even though the chrome ways look in good condition, there can still be a lot of slop in the table because the saddle is worn out. Something that he did not mention is that you’ll want your mill to come with one pump Bijur oiler already installed on the mill. The older milling machines didn’t have them and it involves more effort to oil the ways. Also, anyone that is looking for a turret mill should research the different brands that were made in America. The two American made (for the most part) mills that are still available new are the Bridgeport and Wells-Index. There are other brands of ram style turret mills that were made in America that are well worth looking at. Machines made by Tree, Cincinnati, Ex-Cell-O, Clausing, Gorton, and South Bend are all worth looking at. Some of them are better machines than a Bridgeport. Some of the of the afore mentioned milling machine brands are still supported for spare parts, even though the original maker is out of business. The biggest advantage to the Bridgeport is that there have been so many of them manufactured since 1939 that they’re all over the place and spare parts and accessories are readily available.

[@brentonk461]

Nearly, Everything is repairable, its just a matter of how much skill, time and money you've got.

[@johnwarren5939]

Being and old retired railroad machinist I really love your presentation in your videos. Someday I would like to meet you as I live in Oroville. Was also a machine shop instructor at a local college, had several Bridgeport and Cincinnati mills, Your info on the mill was excellent.

[@ManCrafting]

I was just talking about the fact we hadn’t seen a video from you in a while. Jason is great. Love his squares. Fireball tool was essential in squaring up my Langmuir by myself. Now to find a Bridgeport.

[@joesharp5602]

So happy for you finding a mill in such pristine shape. A great platform to invest a bit and build on. Thanks for the great content... Joe

[@craigsudman4556]

Hey Dale! Where you been? Missed you big time. Thanks for the great video, thumbs up.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Hi Craig. Life, Life just get in the way of doing videos. Thanks for asking.:-)

[@shovelheadseven]

I bought a Bridgeport that came off an old battleship from WWII. About a month later the cross feed retaining nut broke and the tables Y axis just spun table wouldn't move. Millwright charged me $650 to fix it. A month later same problem. I oiled the ways every single time I used the machine. Millwright blamed me said I didn't oil the ways and wanted $650. Couldn't afford it so Pulled the table off went down and bought the part which was quantity of two. fixed it and was up and running 2 hours total. Also had a spare part. Cost me $8.50 or $4.25 since it came two to a pack. Never called another millwright. I paid around $2,200 back in 1999 for the mill.

[@Vinlaell]

That sucks the last time I saw somebody that got a milling machine off of a ship it was the most awesome thing I've ever seen it was like a whole bunch of machines in one like they're trying to save space cuz it's on a ship it had like a million knobs on the thing

[@EdgePrecision]

Excellent video Dale. You covered everything. The only comment I could make (Maybe someone has already said this) is that machine appears to have chrome coated ways. This was a extra option and is something to look for.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thats a good question. I never thought about it. I have never seen a Bridgeport that didn't have chrome ways. I will say I have another mill that is worn with harden Crome ways, and I can't scrape it in unless I remove the Crome first. That is why I bought this one.

[@EdgePrecision]

Build Something Cool is the chrome worn on your other mill? When I first started in the machine shop I ran a Bridgeport and it didn’t have chrome ways. It also didn’t have those fish scale scraping on the table. I’m not sure of the usefulness of that. It looks cool but has no use on the table.

[@danarrington2224]

Here's what I did. I found a used Series 1 listed on a dealers website. Since I am a machinist the quality of the machine was not that important to me. Whatever repairs it needed I could do. I paid $1600 for it. I had them put it on a heavy duty skid. I rented a lift bed trailer from Sunbelt so that I could roll the mill on and off with a pallet truck. I picked up the machine from the shop it was in and hauled it to my shop. I backed the trailer right up to my door and rolled the mill off and right into place. It's still on the pallet. That way if I want to rearrange my shop it's no problem. I spent about $500 to rebuild the head and I spent another $1500 or so to put ballscrews on X and Y. I bought a $250 digital readout on ebay and installed it. I bought an $80 static phase converter to run the machine. That's it.

[@chevymarineretired]

I got an Alliant that came out of a high school for a $125.00. Very little wear but had a few scars on the table. Thought I got a great deal until I started buying the tooling, that's when it started hurting.

[@andyZ3500s]

A very good point and something to keep in mind weather it is a mill or lathe. Especially if you're just starting out.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I should have talked about that a little more

[@stancloyd]

@@BuildSomthingCool IIRC I ran up tooling bills on the new lathe and mill to the tune of about 30% of the new purchase prices but I'm a gadget freak, so...

[@JoshuaNicoll]

That *is* one clean milling machine, the paint looks perfect. I've never seen a used mill so clean before.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I agree, I have never seen on that nice thats why I bought it👍

[@JoshuaNicoll]

@@BuildSomthingCool I am quite jealous, It'll be a while before one that nice comes up again!.

[@hoyay850]

@@BuildSomthingCool How much did you pay for that one if I may ask? I"m looking to purchase one soon.

[@jamesretired5979]

Bought mine from the high school I went to when they were cleaning out the old unused metal shop for storage. 9x36 $300 and they helped me load it.

[@GaryMeolaJr]

Very informative!! Great knowledge to have when going to look at any used mill / lathe.

[@superpedro7295]

My favorite video's thanks Dale

[@MaturePatriot]

Good to see you Dale. Good info. That is a great looking mill for the home shop.

[@nannesoar]

Your smile is great man, it actually brightened my mood.

[@joeszabo4237]

That was a good video Dale. You covered a lot of important things. One thing I think is worth mentioning is the ware in the table in the X axis. Take a cut on a long piece of stock then flip it over and take another cut to see if the machine is worn in the middle of the table. This would show up as a piece that is thicker in the middle and thinner on each end. The machine you purchased most likely does not have such an issue but for someone else it could save them a lot of aggravation. Thanks for the vid!! It was good to see you again. Stay well!!

[@jamesreed6121]

Just what I needed. The comments and analysis terrific, I'm gonna go build something cool!

[@IONredline06]

Im picking up a late 90s ENCO that was used for making small aluminum parts for a few years and has just sat in a home shop for the rest of the time, its still like brand new, so excited.

[@garypapesh1345]

Great video Dale, thanks! That is a really nice mill😍

[@N3m3sls]

Great explanation to the aspiring diy guy! This helps so many people its incredible, thank you!

[@garbo8962]

Thanks for great vid. I'm a retired electrician. Worked in a large maintenance shop that had 2 bridgeports. I would piss off machnists whenever I used a milling machine. Would only fabricate slotted brackets for micro switches and other things for the electric shop. Guys started locking up end mills but I Already had my own end mills. Really pissed them off when I milled out a slot for a key on an old motor. First Bridgeport that I helped my dad wire up was a 2 phase model that took a year for machine shop to get back in the 1960's.

[@Just1GuyMetalworks]

Great video, Dale. Thanks for the tips 😊.

[@Pappaoh]

Great vid Dale. Looks like you'll have beautiful machine to work with

[@jankjensen222]

I really enjoyed this video. thanks for the education!!

[@Buddha-of8fk]

I ran a lot of mills but a Bridgeport is my favorite. Definitely have done some crazy stuff on them.

[@dmadere1]

Thanks! Great video and great score!!

[@priority2]

Wow! What an excellent video and what a beautiful Bridgeport. I’d re-mortgage my house to buy that beauty😍❤️😍

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Sweet mill, thanks for sharing. Super helpful info.

[@DustinStapp]

What a useful video! Thanks for sharing.

[@toolbox-gua]

Good to see you again. Very useful video, thank you.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

thanks Im glad you like it 😀

[@brosselot1]

Dale Awesome 👍 thanks for sharing.

[@davidschwartz5127]

I'm a recent hobby machinist and just bought a Bridgeport Series 1, 2, HP at a clearing out the building sale, I got it for next to nothing with the vice and tooling as long as it was out of the building by 3/21/2020. It's a long story that sounds like your Atlanta move but it's in my garage now waiting for me to have time to finish the disassembly and move it into my basement shop. The move was the very worst part of the experience besides I have no idea what shape it's in. I should have cut the moving process short and hired an automobile wrecker in the first place to move it. I guess I never realized today wreckers have a short platform on the back of them under the hook that shifts and lowers to the ground. The machine fits perfectly on it and was well support by the hooks slings

[@mesomorfo]

Great Video! Really needed this info, Thank You sir!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Glad I could help😀

[@shopdoc]

This was very informative. Thank you!

[@paul2466]

Packed from start to finish with extremely useful content, excellent video....that mill can be delivered to NC at your first convenience, lol

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I'll put it on a truck. What your address? 😂😂😂

[@Bojangles1987]

I got one extremely cheap but did not know how to check it out this is great video and super helpful for me for my next purchase

[@jonsarten3131]

Definitely a good machine and one I would buy. Great video as when you are looking for the first time, you have very little idea. Then over time you learn the machine and pick up on all these points that were pointed out.

[@joelspann228]

been watching your videos for a while, I just recently subscribed. you have some great tips and techniques. im going to try and get a better mill this year, this video was very helpful. thanks

[@briancoates6996]

Great video Dale. Very informative and useful. Cheers!

[@billwessels207]

Been there and done that. You have excellent information. I enjoyed the video.

[@themotofixery]

5 flat tires! Wow! It might be worth mentioning how a machine like this would hold its value as a hobby machinist. I figured if i spend a few thousand now, at the rate I'll use it it'll still be worth a few thousand in ten plus years. Just my justification.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

A machine that's looked after properly should show almost no wear - the trouble is most are (or seem not to be) not looked after, kept clean, lubricated, and so on.. This particular one looks a beauty. As a hobby machinist (probably fairly low use), if you learn how to look after the machine before using it, you'll add basically zero wear to it, and it will retain its value very well.

[@sharkrivermachine]

Thanks for sharing, lets see some more videos. Build something cool.

[@RaysGarage]

Excellent video Dale, after checking out my mill more closely I do believe I have a 3.0!

[@ROBRENZ]

Enjoyed Dale! ATB, Robin

[@rayfalcone6897]

Hi Dale,nice tips,thanks for sharing.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks for your comment :-)

[@erics7712]

Great video. Thanks

[@lowrangeinnovascotia2930]

Just picked up an old industrial mill for $1800, Only reason I got it so cheap (in my opinion) is because the owner died and his kids were selling everything off. They had no idea what stuff was worth! I missed the metal lathe that was 12" head and 6' bed for $1200!! Now I have to learn how to use this milling machine.

[@Alcorelli1]

Thank you so much for this! I am trying to find a nice mill. Glad you are back.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@WoodNMetalWorkshop]

One thing that I found when looking for a mill, Bridgeports command a premium just for the name. I found a Wells Index for about half the price.

[@nezamshalchi]

I learn a lot from your videos thanks again

[@johanneslaxell6641]

We just bought a used Shizuoka. Old is gold 👍🏼💪🏼😋!

[@cmcnichols4]

Really helpful - thanks.

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. Very useful information. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@mareknetzel]

Thanks Dale, very clean and useful! Cheers from Poland!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks for you nice comment

[@mxcollin95]

Great video...thanks for sharing. 👍

[@vandalsgarage]

I like step pulley machines for the home shop. They are less expensive than a comparable VS mill (everybody wants VS). But if the home shop guy is running off a VFD, he's got a fair amount of vari-speed anyway. Less maintenance, and quiet running are the other two benefits. When I bought my J head Bridgeport to replace my old Millrite,, I specifically looked for a step pulley version.

[@oscarnelsongutierrez6504]

Hey dale nice to see you again!!!

[@mrayco]

Thanks for sharing,,, nice bridgeport wish you all best with it. 😁😁😁

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@mrtechnophile3483]

When putting it on a trailer, really important to get the tongue loading to 10% or so, because that puts the center of gravity in front of the trailer wheels. If the center of gravity (CoG) or mass (CoM) is too far back: 1. Hit the brakes: the trailer gets pushed back. Say it's aimed the slightest bit to the left. If the CoG is too far back, the CoG is on the right vs. the trailer centerline; imagine the trailer standing on its hitch. The braking force 'topples' (pushes) the back of the trailer right, and the tongue left. The tires have some flex or springiness, and a little bit of slop in the hitch, so it aims left a bit. 2. Trailer is aimed left, it swings left, and has inertia so it swings farther left (flexing the springy tires) until the tongue is now aimed far enough right to push it back the other way. 3. The CoG is now on the left; that pushes the back of the trailer left, and the tongue right. The tires have some springiness, so it aims right a bit more. 4. Trailer is aimed right, it swings right, and has inertia so it swings farther right until the tongue is now aimed far enough left to push it back the other way. Had this happen once, and a small trailer full of 16' lumber was sliding the rear tires in a full-size AWD station wagon with a Hemi sideways. That's one way to wake yourself up... I was lucky, didn't have stopped cars in front of me and a slight uphill grade. Never again. This is a mechanical oscillation, and it will jacknife you. Make sure your load is centered a bit forward of the trailer tires.

[@funny36ful]

This was obviously babied or not used much at all, I would snatch this up in a heart beat

[@reideichner8597]

Nice job, Dale. You covered it well. Also, nice meeting you at Jason's shop!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Hi Reid,

[@minskmade]

great great great video...than k you for doing this...i'm a novice machinist metal worker on the hunt for a milling machine...this is verry helpful.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Glad I could help

[@guerrillaman2905]

Your videos are like really good. I enjoy every video you do.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@mattandanneken5594]

Saw you working on the Birdgeport today. Looks like you were enjoying the weather. Great speaking with you this weekend. Looking forward to your next video. Matt

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Great to meet you too. Im looking forward to the day I can show you my shop in person.

[@AjayGupta-nb3cj]

@@BuildSomthingCool please send me your contact number n I m interested your mill maschin

[@ptman3]

I agree with the other commenters on price. In a lot of areas, you'd be very hard pressed to find machines at the price ranges quoted in the video. Spend some time on CL and you quickly get a feel for what's normal in your area. In the end, I gave up and bought a new Taiwanese machine. I got tired of the "wild goose chases" necessary to find a great machine at a fair price. Time is money after all. Even for a hobbyist.

[@dougankrum3328]

Here in Sacramento, Calif....are several U-haul lots...they have a 6'X12' open trailer that has 2.400 pound capacity, 2 axle, surge-brakes.....trailer weighs around 2K....I moved a small electric forklift with one...300 mile trip….very smooth....surge brakes are nice....towed with my 1999 Dodge ram Van...tiny 4 liter V-6.....I don't know the weight of the forklift, but the battery alone is 1,075 pounds...

[@clydecessna737]

Very helpful.

[@nezamshalchi]

one thousand like for this awesome video thank you dale

[@adamyelland1981]

oo so many memories, used to work on the same machine 20 years ago!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I HOPE THEY ARE GOOD MEMORIES?

[@josephbrotherton196]

That bridgeport mill has flashed hard chomed ways. The ware on the chrome alone says everything; the machine has had very little use. What a great buy!

[@jim5148]

Excellent video, thanks a lot! Now if I could just find one for sale in my area. Or in Spokane!

[@JBFromOZ]

Nice mill!!

[@RookieLock]

Lets be honest.. yeah 2000miles, but you got to see Jason :P never mind the mill, it was worth it, lol.. Joking aside, great tutorial on what to look for in a mill.. I can see this helping lots of people! Thanks!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I agree with you. I wanted to see Jason’s shop. The bonus was getting the mill.

[@stancloyd]

@@BuildSomthingCool I loved the sight gag with the vises. Looks like something we would do.

[@19672701]

Finally back!

[@TedRoza]

Well done Dale. Now to see it in your shop..setup and working .. LOL after you Tram it in .. LOL BTW Good to see you on Emma's Channel

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Emmas great. She visited my shop last year. We had a great time.

[@jameswieler3295]

If I could find a "fabricator quality" mill for $1000 I'd buy it today and drive 2000 miles for it.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Wow! That is dedication 👍

[@davidkettlewell829]

so helpful

[@keithparady2594]

Good stuff

[@rsz90182]

Yes Billh308, you are correct. I have been looking for one for ages and finally saved enough money to buy one. The one in this video would be around $3000.00 but today this quality machine is selling for $6000.00 to $12,000.00. And those Chinese brands like Grizzley have doubled as well. So I am getting older and weaker to move one into my home but keeping an eye open for one.

[@SmartCNCs]

Great VDO very clearly ... what camera you use to record this VDO.

[@anonymousone3881]

Recently bought early '90s Bridgeport. Tightened up nuts (dual nuts) to remove slack. significant wear on x-y tables, so I assumed tightened gibs causing tightening toward ends of travel x&y. Later, bought new lead screw. After installing, realized problem was lead screw all along. Wear in tables barely noticeable. Tightening nuts, wear in leadscrew became extremely noticeable. Since I had a 2nd Bridgeport, I turned the leadscrew in the lathe, and thinned ACME threads. Installed used nuts. Excellent results. No need to ever buy another lead screw until the wear gets so bad the threads strip. Only 4 dual nut systems.

[@piotrlenarczyk5803]

Thank you for video. Very good explanation of buying process. As every shopping there are two fundamental questions: whats your need? does X meet your needs? After good analysis one can find a suprise answer like "In fact I only need single, new, well equipped, classic T&C grinder for my work" - as for example LAKFAM NUA-25 MA;) Milling machines are great (cause of many degrees of freedom giving great processing capabilities), but they possess many error surfaces (the wear) giving less accuracy in the end. Most accurate are cylindrical grinders, but these are the slowest processing machines. Lathe are some kind of compromise. With proper knowledge, and processing plan one can make the same thing on different machines / hand files. Post Scriptum: bushings has two times better accuracy with comparison to bearings due to half of error surfaces. Once I was wondering why it is not a good idea to try preheated kerosene lubrication net for double Babbit's frustrum cones with obvious clearance setting. In general some machines should be centrally preheated in vital points, independently from stable room temperature. Post Post Scriptum: generally speaking some obviousness are not common in machinery like for first shot: nitrogen atmosphere for direct 3-points pressurized acetone, as sub-zero coolant system.

[@1970chevelle396]

That milling machine is in great condition.

[@patjohn775]

I just bought a south end heavy 10. Looking for my first mill now

[@plalonde2]

Where in the world do I find a $5,000 used bridgeport? I'll happily drive 2k miles for it!

[@trevorlee7945]

I have a Bridgeport with 48in table and power feed with Acurite DR and a new Kurt Vice and high quality collet set and many accessories that I am thinking about selling .

[@domjohnson2579]

@@trevorlee7945 Still for sale?

[@trevorlee7945]

@@domjohnson2579 If the price is right yes .

[@catherineharris4746]

@@trevorlee7945 Hi do you still have that machine and is it for sale? Thanks👍

[@trevorlee7945]

@@catherineharris4746 I do have it and yes its for sale if I get the price I want .

[@JamesDedmon]

Your correct that was a cherry mill. Here in my part of NC the prices of mills are on mills are on the higher end. My Lagun was 4K and it was solid machinist mill. Since it was across town I had local riggers to shoehorn it in my little shop. I’ve been happy with it and love my 50” table

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I will say Im getting use to the long table, but some times its a stretch for my short arms LOL😂

[@stancloyd]

@@BuildSomthingCool As I dickered and wrangled for a best price on new mills I got a much better price on the 49" table. For me, the extra length was essentially free in the end.

[@stancloyd]

One can run a vice and a rotary table side by side and have two work stations set up ready to go at the same time. Sweet.

[@wrenchbender01]

Well I just broke all the rules! I bought a mill sight unseen. It came with collets, a rotary table and some cutters.

[@ron1en1]

Nice Gide I don’t know if I’ll remember all of this

[@HEADDYNAMICS]

When are you going to finish the series on the press? I have the same one just the 75 ton. I am curious about the cylinder and how it comes apart and where you got your parts.

[@tinman5322]

Retired CNC programmer/setup guy here, now home machinist. The ONLY thing I did when I bought mine at auction (OK, other than seeing it run) is the ONLY thing I did not see here: check for spindle bearing slop. It's one of the very few flaws that can not be adjusted away, replaced easily or dealt with in use.

[@ChristophPech]

How? Just wiggle it around while measuring with an indicator?

[@tinman5322]

@@ChristophPech Essentially yes. As you'd measure play with any bearing: mount a bar in the spindle, put an indicator on it and try to move the bar. Anything you can feel is a no go; five ten-thousandths on the indicator would concern me. You can do accurate work with lots of backlash but a sloppy spindle bearing means you'll never get a good finish and tools die fast. In short another very expensive drill press.

[@ChristophPech]

@@tinman5322 Thanks

[@tinman5322]

@@ChristophPech Pleasure!

[@doyoufearthedark]

Thank you very much.

[@Eric-gi9kg]

How about doing the same thing for metal lathes? If you have...I apologize.

[@Loebane]

This is great but is the audio bad for anyone else? It sounds... pixelated? What would you call that? Similar to how audio sounds when you try and slow it down in youtube.