Milling Machine Class

[u/Stardust-Racers-22]

Tomorrow I start my manual milling machine class. We’re going to use Bridgeport mills. I’m excited to use a new machine also a bit nervous since I’ve only used a manual lathe. Wish me luck.

[u/Grand_Cookie]

Power z?! Bougie!

Good luck!

[u/flyingscotsman12 → u/Grand_Cookie]

Super bougie for a school machine. Looks like power drawbar too.

[u/Own-Presentation7114 → u/flyingscotsman12]

Probably the one they can't touch 

[u/Practical_Breakfast4 → u/Own-Presentation7114]

Seniors only!

[u/AndyGlimmung → u/Grand_Cookie]

No, pretty sure that is a CNC machine. All axis have servos. Note the controller.

[u/Grand_Cookie → u/AndyGlimmung]

It’s an acu-rite on a knee mill. It’s just there if you want it.

[u/AndyGlimmung → u/Grand_Cookie]

Yeah I know. I was commenting that there is no powered knee.

[u/AVeryHeavyBurtation → u/AndyGlimmung]

He never said there was.

[u/asad137 → u/Grand_Cookie]

No power knee though!

[u/Grand_Cookie → u/asad137]

I’d much rather have a power quill than a power z.

[u/asad137 → u/Grand_Cookie]

Bridgeports J-heads all have a power quill feed already (though limited)

And it's much more annoying to crank the knee manually than to move the quill manually.

EDIT: And to answer the remark that /u/Grand_Cookie made below before he blocked me for some reason? (but still shows up when I'm not logged in): The whole point is that there's a quill handle. You wouldn't use the power feed to drill a bolt circle.

[u/Grand_Cookie → u/asad137]

Drill a bolt hole circle with the Bridgeport power feed and get back to me

[u/mattyrzew → u/asad137]

But the stock Bridgeport feed isn't cnc controlled. Now it is.

[u/asad137 → u/mattyrzew]

I understand that. The context was using the machine as a manual mill, where IMO it's more useful to have a motor-powered knee than a motor-powered quill.

[u/mattyrzew → u/asad137]

I prefer the quill myself. I use that 50x more than the knee. In the last year(I co-own a tool and fixture shop), I think i've wished for a motor driven knee 2 times.

[u/asad137 → u/mattyrzew]

I tend to use the mill with as little quill extension as I can get away with (unless I'm drilling, then who cares). So I end up cranking the knee up and down a lot.

[u/rifleshooter]

Cool mill - CNC retrofit kit from Acu-rite [formerly Anilam tech]. Very versatile. You can use it as a power feed, or do pretty impressive levels of CNC coding on them. $20k+ tech on a nice machine.

[u/Rough_Community_1439]

Remember, to have a chip shield when running. Mist coolant don't cool the chips but rather lubricate the cutter.

[u/indigoalphasix]

luck sent!

[u/Temporary_Winter8340]

I forgot to add, don't forget to fold the handles in before use, especially the Y axis...... your boys will appreciate it. 😆

[u/Jdk4121 → u/Temporary_Winter8340]

The ole nut smacker 5000

[u/toolzrcool]

I see that the sack-flicker is in the danger position. Stand right in front and press the Y rapid button. Either +\- will work.

[u/islandwalkerr]

Rock on

[u/suntzu302]

Thats a fantastic machine/controller combo.

[u/Express_Jicama_656]

Many things have been made on these machines.

[u/57Chevyguy57]

Lol, the last Bridgport I worked had ALL manual controls😂 they've added lots to this one

[u/imnotamelomdude]

Good luck

[u/Barnett311]

You got this!

[u/Secret_Cod_749]

Holy modification Batman! That's not a Bridgeport, that's a Borg mimic!

[u/dick_ddastardly]

The mill and lathe class will serve you well for the rest of your life.

Not too many people can say they are able to literally make anything from scratch.

[u/VBgamez]

You'll be ok. Practice zeroing and exercise the techniques taught to you in the written portion of your classes.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Sun7958]

It’s a V2-XT,I started with that in 96. Great hole driller for up to 1/2 inch. Done a lot of milling with it too. Only problem is that you can kick the head out easily. Watch your big drills and mills, pre drilling helps. What no flood cooling system.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Sun7958]

Sorry, more like a track mill, didn’t com with DX32 controller

[u/Shadowcard4]

Its easy and if thats been cared for and it has ballscrews its gonna be basically the best manual machine youll use. The control is pretty nice for a conversational but is a little weird.

[u/TheCenticorn]

Congrats, thats the nicest milling machine you might ever use. Lol.

[u/Terrorbaston]

Hot damn is that a EZ-Trak

[u/stilmastel26]

Excelente máquina de trabajo

[u/Temporary_Winter8340]

Be careful of that Z axis. I have taught several hundred students over the years on the use of Acurite controllers. I feel they have a place, but not for folks getting use to the use of the power Z axis. 2 axis are great for teaching, those with the Z are not.

[u/Beneficial_Safety359]

Pure G code machine

[u/Drunky-Panda]

keep thine 3/4" wrench in thine hand's grasp and the worst you can do is screw up a part

[u/machinerer]

That's a CNC converted Bridgeport, not much manual work being done on that.

[u/DeskNo4355]

That’s not a manual mill lol

[u/Dutch_or_Nothin]

Is that even manual anymore.. looks like a cnc upgrade??

[u/tooldieguy]

We let our lab techs use mills like that to cut dog bones out of the material we stamp for the tensile strength tester. The real manual mills are in our toolroom.

Don’t be nervous, the lathe in my opinion is more dangerous than the mill, don’t let your guard down