Bridgeport Knee Mill B

THIS PAGE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

About our machine

• Model: J head
• Table:
  • Length:
  • Depth:
• Vertical movement:
• Motor: Variable speed drive, with high and low gear
• Collet: R8 style collet, ranges from 1/8" to 1"
• Digital Readout: XY readout on main unit, Z-axis readout on separate unit

Guides and Manuals

• Bridgeport Manual (not ours but close)
• Bridgeport Mill Parts (A)
• Bridgeport Mill Parts (B)
• How to square the Bridgeport head with the table
• (Playlist) Videos on the mill by Tubalcain/mrpete222

BRIDGEPORT DO’S AND DON’TS

DO

• Ensure you have received training before performing an operation on this machine
• Use appropriate coolants and lubricants designed for machining
• Remove all tooling and extra fixtures used for your operations
• Check the collet and inside of spindle for loose chips to prevent damage to both
• Oil the ways to keep things moving smoothly and protect from corrosion
• Report any damage or broken tools right away so they can be fixed/replaced

DON’T

• Use water as a coolant without putting a rust-preventative in it like Kwikool
• Leave metal chips on the machine or on the floor
• Adjust or remove the vise, rotate the head, or modify the machine if you don’t know how the process to “tram” them back to square
• Forget to clean up and put tools back in their proper place
• Use endmills in the drill chuck

General Tips and Safety

• Wear safety glasses! Chips that come off are hot, and if your whole part comes off it will not be pretty.
• If you need a sharp endmill, you should have your own set. Our tools are shared use and are not always the sharpest.
• Clean and oil the machine's ways and surfaces when you are done
• DO NOT USED COMPRESSED AIR TO CLEAN
• DO NOT USE WATER AS A COOLANT. Water will rust the precision metal surfaces, making them not precision anymore. Use a rust-preventing additive like Kool Mist.

Tooling

• Shars 45 degree 2" x 3/4" Face mill
  • Screws - Torx Flathead M5-12mm for inserts
  • Inserts - SEKT 1204 AFTN - FM33
• Flycutter
• Keyless Chuck
• Boring Head

Fixtures

• Large indexing head
• Grizzly G5649 - 5-C Spin Index - How to use video
• Phase II Rotary table 220-010 - 10" - manual
• Rotary table - small

Maintenance

Videos

• Making Tee Nuts on the Bridgeport
• (Playlist) Project videos using the mill/lathe by This Old Tony
• (Playlist) Working with a Milling Machine - 4 parts

Additional Reading

• M3X CNC Automation – see Artisian Asylum website: https://wiki.artisansasylum.com/wiki/M3X_CNC_Milling_Machine
• Bridgeport Sharp – possible manual: https://me.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sharp-Vertical-Mill-Manual.pdf
• Quill Feed Programming Manual (from Artisian Asylum website): CNC_Accupath_M3X_Operator_Programming_Guide.PDF (saved on downloads)