this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2023
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Machinist
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Just had to one up me huh?
I love how Bridgeports look almost completely identical regardless of whether they were cast in the 1950's or the 1990's/2000's.
Fun fact: The machine's serial number is hard stamped on the flat portion of the knee Y-axis ways, facing straight up. If you turn the y axis most of the way in (push the table towards the turret) the way covers should reveal it. You can then look up the serial number range here to determine when it was cast.
I'm no machinist, but I watch some on YouTube. Until now I just assumed all Bridgeports were made in the '50s.
Easy mistake to make. They really didn't change at all for decades.
It's a good design that forms the basis of a lot of infrastructure in manual shops. Vises and fixtures are designed with the clearance and capabilities of a Bridgeport in mind and some shops will have dozens of different setups. If a replacement machine isn't identical to the one being replaced, it could cause hours of fixture reworks and a whole mess.
Oh absolutely. If it ain't broke don't fix it, and all that.
I may or may not have gotten this post idea from your post. XD yours is alot nicer mantained then this mill
ours is clean, not nicer maintained. It was plant maintenance's mill for most of it's life so ours got used well, there is pleeeeenty of slop in the ways that I wish I could take out.