Need Bridgeport Mill Service/Repair

[command_liner]

In my home shop I have a post-WWII J-head Bridgeport that needs
a bit of help. The table is way sloppy. Either the yoke or the nuts need
to be replace, or perhaps it just needs to be re-set and carefully
re-assembled.

This sort of thing is slightly outside my expertise, so I have been
putting it off for years. I have the diagrams for the mill, plus
lifting equipment to safely disassemble the mill. The mill is totally
manual (has power downfeed) but I might convert to DRO+power
feed if you have some parts or expertise.

I can trade either machine time or perhaps cash. I have tooling for
the mill, 2 lathes, cutting tools and good welding equipment. My plan
is to get the mill set up so it can finish a few 80% AR lowers with no
hair pulling or heartburn. After that, interrupted threads for breech
loading black powder cannon.

The location is Orange County. If you are good at this sort of thing,
send me a PM.

[eaglemike]

Do you know how to adjust the gibs? I don't remember whether they are on the back on the B/P, I'm guessing they are. There should be a tapered bronze gib with either a nut or bolt on each end on the back side way. Adjust one way and there is more play, the other will tighten things up. Don't tighten too much. Daily lubrication, as you likely know, is important. There's a lot of people out there that can work on them, but hardly ever cheap if they know what they are doing.

hth.....
all the best,
Mike

[command_liner]

In the last few years I have has two people that are somewhat experienced
take a quick look. Both said it might be easy to fix, but it has to come
apart. Most likely NOT a gibs problem. I had gibs problems on my lathes,
and had to make and fit new ones, so I have an idea what is going on.

[eaglemike]

If it's really that bad, it's likely going to be costly. It might be a better deal to sell the one you have and purchase a new machine that uses the same tooling. I know this can be a hard decision for a couple of reasons. Just an idea.... I've been a machinist for over 30 years, and served my apprenticeship in a shop that had line shafts and leather belts. I now own a shop with CNC machines, as well as manual stuff.....

I hope you can find someone that knows what they are doing and will do the work for a reasonable price. It seems hard to find thse guys lately. I do all I can myself due to cost and delay.

all the best,
Mike

[Seesm]

Yeah they get old after 30+ yrs... I have a gear head manual Bridgeport knee mill we have a local guy who comes and work on them when we need it... usually we fix it ourselves... Too bad your in Socal as our guy is in Norcal.

I bet there is a pile of people who can help you down your way too.