New to me machine coming soon!

[EdK]

Ken,

Tell your dad you have a new mill for him to play with. That ought to get him exited about getting back into the shop.

Ed

[PixMan]

He's well aware of it Ed, as it's in his shop that's in his house! ;)

I've shown him all the photos I posted here, as he was very interested in knowing how we got the old Bridgeport out and this Alliant in. When I (and other family members) bought him the Bridgeport at least ten years ago, he did most of the work. He built an A-frame with a chainfall to hoist it off the heavy duty landscape trailer it came in on, and there were at least 4 strong men and two younger sons helping. This move was quite a bit more difficult with far less help. I really appreciated the help I did get from my brother (an artist and very mechanically declined), my son (quite out of shape given his age of 32), and Russ (the only physically and mentally fit one of the lot.)

[stevec]

Russ mentally fit??

Sorry Russ, , couldn't resist.

[wrustle]

(06-08-2013, 07:15 AM)stevec Wrote: Russ mentally fit??

Sorry Russ, , couldn't resist.

Hey,.........I resemble that remark!

[PixMan]

Today I showed my Dad detailed photos of the new machine in place, and we talked about how it can easily be used as a completely manual machine, albeit with a three axis DRO.

He was all smiles and is getting really motivated to get better. He truly wants to get to use the machine at least a little bit, and it's his new mission in life to use a Bridgeport (or one similar) that:

1. Isn't loose in the middle of the travel and two-fisted tight at both ends.
2. Doesn't have a saddle that droops so much that you can't mill a flat face if it takes more than one width pass (no matter how well it's swept in to square.)
3. Run a machine that you can (and have to) change speeds while it's running, and not have to deal with stopping to change the belt.
4. Did you say 4200 rpm?? The old one topped out at a rumored 2720.
5. No more counting revs of .200" and squinting to read worn dials. Look up at the brilliant red DRO display instead.

He's doing better today since they moved him away from the asinine roommate who keeps his TV on 24/7 and talks loudly on his phone to overcome it. At least no one has ever been seen visiting the guy. Wonder why.....not.

[Mayhem]

I'm glad to hear your Dad is getting better. You should have told me about his room mate earlier - I would have told you what to write in his chart to change his disposition

[PixMan]

Got the new drawbar in today, a Dorian (Made in USA) and it fit perfect. Trammed the head in to square and parallel, fitted the vise and trammed that too.

I'm heading up to the seller on Friday (today, I guess) to get the documentation, the micro cassette recorder (for storing and uploading programs), and the tooling. Cleanup on Saturday, more pictures and hopefully a video of it making some kind of test part.

[Mayhem]

Sounds good - looking foreward to seeing the pictures/video.

Any reason (other than time) not to have made the draw bar?

[PixMan]

Yes, I didn't have the 4140 hex stock on hand and couldn't have milled a hex without the drawbar I needed. I don't have heat-treat capabilities, and I didn't have an easy way of measuring what the length should be from the shoulder under the hex to the end of the 7/16-20UNF.

Plus I'm lazy, short on time and just happened to have change left over from the $400 I got for the old Bridgeport. :)

[stevec]

(06-14-2013, 05:28 AM)PixMan Wrote: Yes, I didn't have the 4140 hex stock on hand and couldn't have milled a hex without the drawbar I needed. I don't have heat-treat capabilities, and I didn't have an easy way of measuring what the length should be from the shoulder under the hex to the end of the 7/16-20UNF.

Plus I'm lazy, short on time and just happened to have change left over from the $400 I got for the old Bridgeport. :)

Jeez Ken, you`re only answering Darren not `splainin`to yer wife.