Drilling and Tapping on a Bridgeport- think about it 1st

Question Everything
In this video I am going to show you a fast way and a not so fast way to process your work on a Bridgeport. We always strive for a more productive way to process our work. This is a way of thinking. A thought process that I try to apply to everything I do.
I hope this will make you more productive at everything you do.

[@CentreWheel]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Don! I have been running a Bridgeport off and on for 20 plus years and even picked up a couple of tips. Never too old too learn.

[@pan60]

you always say its for the new guys but i always manage to learn something maybe not on every video but on enough that i will take the time to watch! :)

[@irondiver292]

What a nice, agreeable, intelligent man! Thank ya!

[@DieselCrawler86]

A good video as always, I am glad to see that you take the time to do these for new comers to the trade. Now don't take this the wrong way but you do these for new people or to get people to think, I think you should consider also teaching safety in the shop by taking your wedding ring and watch off when operating a machine. I have had to bag and tag two guys fingers in the shop due to wedding bands. I would hate to see you lose yours.

[@Lakesidearmorer]

I'm a novice and I did that after only one time of doing all the tool changes for each hole. Have to learn to trust yourself and the DRO. Thanks for your tips. I just purchased a Reid Rollerway 618 grinder, and really enjoyed your videos for setting up and grinding in the table and chuck.

[@daveprototype6079]

Excellent point... Check your DRO and use it... You have to verify your measuring tools either hand or machine. Then use with confidence. Time savings are a bonus, also not rushing into a job. Take the time to plan it ot. Cheers Dave

[@peterspence5196]

Nice video Don, I gave away using tapping heads a long time ago. I have made # 4 morse tapers that suit the drill & lathe & fitted gun taps in all the common sizes - mm & inch, grub screws used for drive on the square end of the tap. They can be used in the radial arm drill or the lathe. The main thing with not having a clutch is :- always check that the tap is in good condition before using it & use a good cutting compound. If the tap is OK then you shouldn't have to worry about tap breakage provided the correct tapping size drill is used & that blind tapping has depth enough for swarf build up. I have not broken a tap this way in a long time. Quick & easy.... Pedro...

[@toddlfrank]

I had a great supervisor when I first began machining he would let me set my pieces up on sub plates then come by and ask me if I could get all of the machined surfaces with this set-up. If the answer was no he would tell me why and suggest how to do it. It used a little time at first but saved a lot in the long run. We would machine 5 of 6 sides with 1 set-up. Thanks for teaching the next generation of machinist.

[@sahkram]

this is called "single operation", i think Don called it that in the video. this method can be used on the lathe as well and in many short run lots is faster than using cnc. a 4-way adjustable three jaw scroll chuck will help maintain accuracy, so get or make yourself a adjustable chuck. also don't use the tail stock for holding any tools other than a center. make a tool post holder and various blocks to hold tools like a cntr drill, drill chuck, boring bars, and turning tools. you can make parts faster than you can program a cnc.

[@buddylineman]

Work smarter not harder. Thanks for sharing Buddy

[@jeffreyblankley]

I have a different kind of edge finder called a “wiggles” which is a .250 dia. ball. I don’t actually make the ball fling out, just move the x or y so the ball looks like it runs true/tangent, zero the readout, back off and come in again and should repeat to half a thousandth and call it good.

[@russellhorton4182]

plan your work, then work your plan!

[@danbentler9742]

Don Yes you make the time savings quite apparent. What is not shown is the savings in wear and tear on the operator. I have been criticized for using a breaker bar to do the initial loosen on tite bolts. Once I have them broke loose I use a smaller tool or power tool to speed it up. Maybe using the breaker bar takes some time but I have reduced the strain on me. Dan Bentler Seattle

[@stevek5416]

Why didn't you just add a 0.250" (or subtract) offset to the reading once you found the zero?

[@ac3r787]

Is this the right way ro use an Edge finder? I just thought when it is out of the middle u can set zero? Or do i have to back off a bit like you did? Greetings from Germany

[@nate12281]

+ac3r787 thats what i do when it gets out of center i set zero i dont take it back any

[@ellieprice3396]

With table locks slightly snugged, move edge finder slowly to edge and when it jumps off center you've gone .001 too far. Zero your DRO at this point, back up .001, zero again, then move 1/2 diameter of edge finder for final zero. If done carefully the spindle should be exactly centered over the edge of the part. Sounds confusing but that's the way it's done.

[@ericsnyder1647]

That is the correct way. But alot of Bridgeports set up for drilling a few holes. Do not have a DRO. I have one here. Its great for a hole or two. But a production machine must have a DRO.

[@sahkram]

Eric Snyder nope, crash, burn, bang. U can use the screw and keep it going always in the same direction to avoid a backlash error. on a bridgport one complete turn of the handle equals .200 thousands of 5 complete turns per inch. just set the handle dial to zero for a self check. don't need no stinking DRO thingy... LOL

[@TheClascaster]

great video unfortunately I couldn't understand what was being said. I need closed caption.

[@johnpaulpullicino]

You are exactly right but if you tell your boss that your method is better and faster and if you fuck up the work i will pay the work my selfe and he still doesn't let you what do you do . because my boss is like that, and he tells you how you want to work, how you deal with him ?

[@williamfrecker1504]

saxyv boya Does he sign your pay check? Does he own the machine? Do you work at Ed's machine shop - and is his name Ed? More importantly ... does he pay you by the hour or the hole? Sorry - had to go there!

[@moms762]

just common sense