Bridgeport Knee Mill

About our machine

• Model: J head
• Table:
  • Length: 36"
  • Depth: 9"
• Vertical movement: 16"
• Motor: 1HP 220V 3-Phase 1800RPM
• Collet sizes: 1/8" to 1"
• Digital Readout: DROII 2ML
• Speed settings are half of what they say
• The collet pin in the spindle is gone

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

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

• Bridgeport Lower Head Adjustments
• How to change timing belt
• Replacing a Bridgeport mill collet alignment pin
• Bridgeport refrubishment project - teardown of the brake and clutch unit, the vee belt unit, and the back gear transmission unit
• Removing a Spindle on a Bridgeport Head

Parts:

• ICAI - Upper Housing of J-head
• ICAI - Upper Housing of J-head - Assembly View

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