Bridgebort Milling Machine [Rescue]
It is time to bring my 1960s Bridgeport milling machine back to life! This is a 100% genuine clapped-out mill that I picked up about a year ago. I always hated the horrible white paint job someone did on this machine, so that needs to be fixed. There are also several worn, missing, or completely broken parts that all need attention. This isn't a full restoration, but more of a "rescue".
I first needed to remove all paint and body filler, which there was a lot of! Then I needed to install a new quill spring and make new cam ring pins, a new quill lock handle, and install new measuring indicators. Someone converted this mill to use grease instead of oil, which is blasphemous, so all oil lines needed to be fully replaced with ACTUAL oil in them.
I decided to not paint the mill at all and leave it completely bare metal. This matches the look of the tools in the rest of my shop and makes it easy for me to add paint later if I feel like it.
I took everything related to the axes apart, but I did not disassemble the head, as I wasn't planning on replacing any worn parts in it.
Overall, the mill is in an average condition and I think some bronze wear components will need to be replaced within the next 5-10 years depending on my usage.
I am not a machinist aiming for high levels of accuracy, so as long as the tool can get the job done, I am happy for now.
Wrenches and screwdrivers are now for sale at www.handtoolrescue.com
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Podcast (with Jimmy DiResta and Andrew Alexander) - anchor.fm/fitzall
BRIDGEBORT!
That's my favorite brand of cereal
We need more Bort license plates in the gift shop. I repeat, we need more Bort license plates in the gift shop.
Made me bridgesnort
Yes!! You went with it!
Sounds Swedish!
Now that you've practiced; I'll send you my old girl for your tender ministrations.
Anytime! Is it the Bridgebort version? Those flat rate boxes aren't too expensive now...
HTR... Can you also resto AvE’s work bench? It’s kinda janky.
Knew you'd be here
@@scolt5669 If you look for janky in dictionary, AvE's picture is there.
Now let's give AvE a little pass here. You know he's gotta take care of Babydoll and 2 mini-me's. Janky? It any janky if it works.
I work in personal finance and have just learned a new term: "Violently expensive". That will now be integrated into most client conversations. Thank you!!
I like that phrase my self... (Violently expensive) Thanks for the new phrase dude....
@@kenwhite5132 Great name, by the way. My grandfather was also named Ken White :)
@@kenwhite5132 you have to be careful if something is violently expensive! If it stabs your wallet you might start hemorrhaging money!
You can work violently expensive into a boilerplate clause somewhere.
Lawyers should be forced to use the term, it would clear up court backlogs quickly.
I like you talking while working. It’s easier to listen than to read.
I love that you chose to clear coat the raw iron and steel on your Bridgeport rather than repaint it. It’s beautiful that way.
Yesss!!! Thank you Mr Bridgebort 🙏 much appreciated and much sensual narrating. Can't get any better ❤️
Anytime lover.
A BBP video, a Hand Tool Rescue NARRATED video, and a Binging with Babish video all on the same day. Slow down boys, my birthday is in November!
@@HandToolRescue your next narrated video should be ASMR. Your velvety tones are prefect for it
I was so surprised by the narration, for some reason, I was expecting some crazy foreign accent LMAO
@@fengelman really you can't hear it? My ears are practically filled with maple syrup.
You remind me of This Old Tony with your humor!! Random humor is always great!!
Having worked on MANY filthy Bridgeports, half of which had the quill lock handle missing, this video is so incredibly gratifying. Thank you!
As a little tip, when using Loktite on press fit items, use Green Loktite; it's specifically made for that.
Looked like he was using a Permatex product. One of their high-strength products for press fit applications is red. It's better to state a specific formula than refer to the colors alone.
@@jr798 Probably why I said Loktite, which is identified by number And color.
Just saying, the narrated version of this video explains a lot on how the Bridgebort works (not a typo, you have to listen to the narration to get it). Maybe think of giving the patreon a try. And yes, Hand Tool Rescue is forcing me to sell it to you ;)
I too am completely not under the mind control of the HTR Overlord...[...must... comply, must... obey ...Maple ...Syrup] and the narrated Patreon videos are superior with the soothing tones of narration.
It's so worth it. I'm an OG sub but as soon as he released his first narrated one on YT (early last year I think) I immediately threw down for the Patreon.
I prefer the versions without voiceover. I'm slightly disappointed that he's not just keeping the narration behind patreon, but is now apparently intending to restrict major jokes/important context as well.
He let you out of the basement? Damn, someone's being a teacher's pet. ;)
@@PoignantPirate people watching this channel generally want to learn. There are plenty of "oDdLy SaTiSfYiNg rEstOrAtiOn" videos for you to watch. They're probably more your speed anyways. They go at 4x speed, don't show you too much extraneous material, and show you the process from start to finish in 12 minutes. And there's no fear of learning anything. It's a win-win for you.
"I'll slap this goop on by gooping it all over" is my favorite explanation for applying paint thinner ever. 7:30
Absolutely gorgeous machine brother. Love that you left it naked. Such an amazing piece of history with Bridgeport on everything. Love it.
Nice! Great job! I'm starting to restore an old lathe this weekend and I guess it would only make sense to also get a milling machine like that for my shop sooner or later! Keep 'em coming!
Hätte nicht gedacht dich hier zu treffen.
Your videoing it I hope?? Or that stating the obvious
Can't wait for lathe restoration
Nice! I look forward to that! But take all the time You need with the projects mate, Your life is more important than a regular upload frequency, we won't go ayay!
They are like drill presses.... Addictive! 1 is never enough... 5 or 6 is about right
Vlogger talks in video: "Yeah, makes sense." Restoration channel talks in video: "Whoa, *what!?* I wasn't entirely sure they even had vocal cords. Weird!" Love the videos. :) keep up the good work!
During late 60's early 70's, I was an apprentice at a company called Adcock & Shipley based in Leicester, England. We made and built Bridgeport machines under licence. Very well made and super versatile.
I still use an Adcock-Shipley Bridgeport regularly! It’s owned by my student rocketry team in university, not in a fantastic state but still going strong. We’ve only had it for a few years, I believe it was previously owned by a hospital but I’m not sure what they used it for. I’m also not sure exactly how old it is but we like to joke that it’s been around since before the Moon landings!
@@WesleyWestland my apprenticeship consisted of first year in training school then three years on the shop floor in different departments eg. lathes, milling,drilling and toolroom. At one point I was operating an early CNC Bridgeport,producing the faceplate for the variable speed Bridgeport head. It was converted to cnc by a company called MOOG. The command centre was a punch hole reel to reel loop paper tape. No automatic tool changers in them days. Two workstations on the jig and the spindle had a quick change tool holder similar to a chuck and key. All tools were preset. It ran 16 hours a day,5 days a week without a single problem. Also produced a beautifully presented,boxed up,boring head attachment specifically designed to enhance the versatility of the Bridgeport.
@@richardbell9656 Interesting stuff, didn't know CNCs were around back then. By faceplate do you mean the bit with the rotating dial for the spindle speed on it? I've looked up the type number on ours and it was made in 1974, so who knows it might be one of the ones you worked on! :)
@@WesleyWestland Yes Wesley , that is the part you described. You never know, it maybe a part that I produced. The Bridgeport was so versatile that they were sold worldwide. Talking about early years CNC machinery, on the shop floor, we had 3 auto lathes that produced the collet tool holders for the Bridgeport head. The lathes were made by a company called Ward, based in Coventry England. The command and control centre was a plugboard, similar too an old fashioned telephone exchange. Just feed the it steel bars and away it went.
Richard, just purchased an Adcock-Shipley Horizontal milling machine. That is one fine quality machine you guys built for sure!!
Next episode: Pool in the back yard is full of Evaporust and the gantry crane is lowering the Bridgeport in whole.
That little hole in the table is actually a coolant drain hole, not for clearing chips. The coolant flows down the t-slots and out the hole in the side back into your coolant reservoir.
The hole works great till it plugs with chips...😂
Nice, came here to say the same!
Me screaming the same at my screen :) Although in theory it should take a bunch of chips with it..
@@streaky81 all depends on the size of the chips.
@@mauricepowers8079 I assumed that went without saying :)
As a guy who has spent a LOT of hours spinning handwheels on Bridgeports, Bravo! Very nicely done. Not an extensive, high precision restoration, but making a nasty machine nice, and usable.
We love your videos -- super enjoyable. Showed one of your videos to our son (early 30's) and the first thing he said was, "This guy will have food to eat in the apocalypse!" What cool skills!
that chip collection was amazing. its crazy to think about how many things and parts are a part of that collection
I would love to see you take that history of chips that fell out and maybe pick out some really cool chunks, throw it in a cup, resin, turn that and boom, you got a handle made from its own history. Every time you touch that handle you'll connect to that machines past and it's its way of taking you for giving it life again.
Outstanding idea, Emilio.
"If we're plus or minus 100 kilometers, I'm pretty happy." 🤣🤣🤣
I've been a machinist my entire life, working 50 year, and I love it.
I've used many of those old Bridgeport mills over the years. Excellent machine tool.
Thank You for doing a full narration on this video, it makes it much easier to follow exactly what you're doing. I didn't realize that most of those grease zerks were supposed to receive oil instead of grease, I would have just used grease in all of them. I'm having trouble adjusting to the sight of an unpainted Bridgebort, but its your machine, so do it the way you like.
"Food for children" nearly had me choking on a large piece of ice in my drinking glass, haha! So friggin' funny!
Is this another Jake Ogden following his channel?
Wow!
Yeah...I lost it on that too...😂😂😂
Pushing the grease out was so satisfying to watch.
The lettuce seed packet cured me of my depression for a good 30 seconds there, thank you
I really quite enjoyed the vocal overlay. I definitely enjoyed listening to you talk about what you were doing and explaining why. If you continue to make videos like this, I will for sure be watching the videos while awake and not going to bed. The asmr is insane when you go to bed while listening to HTR.
The yule log / toothpick video is the best go to bed video.
Subscribe to his Patreon! He does narrated versions of everything, but most of the narrated versions are patron-only.
Heaven is a full HTR narration. Doubly so when it's a brickin' BRIDGEBORT. This is a better format than a grillion IG stories!! 😅
I really like the naked look. I am a huge fan of Bridgeport Mills. That's what we had in college when I got my machining degree.
Best milling machine ever, I have two!! One is ancient, the other is more modern with 3 axis DRO on it. Love them both.
Wow can't believe that rust remover is still working. It is as black as grease but still does its job. Respect to vaporust
Long live the Bridgebort! Judging by that chip collection, this machine had seen some things. Voiceover is a nice addition on this one. I've been following the progress on IG, but it's fun to see the finished product here. Thanks for sharing!
No paint? Great choice. Show this beauty off. I am addicted to this channel lol.
I find it difficult to criticize a person with as many KZhead views as you do. That said - I love to watch your videos. I see how you work and your knowledge. What I don't like is bigger nuts, bolts, and screws......! They should be replaced. Now all the above is on your rescue projects. I was pleased to see you rescuing the tools the do the work. I would think you would make them "perfict" showing appreciation and the respect they deserve. It was also an opportunity for you to show your viewers your skills level. Thank you for your videos.
I logged on this video and my first thought was,"YAY, WE GOT A TALKIE!!" I like the raw metal look also. Good looking machine! 😎👍
As a Machinist myself I must say, 10/10 GREAT VIDEO! Out of all the videos I seen on KZhead about these machines yours is by far the best! I love how you seamlessly transition from point to point about the machine. Am happy that this machine has found a great home and a great owner!
Love the narrating. Gives great perspective to people like me who have no clue about machining but enjoy the process, thanks.
LOL! "It's quite thrusty.." You made me spit my coffee and laugh! Good show ole chap..!😄👍
The threaded hole at the end of the table is for cooling fluid to leave the table. You may have a tank in the base with a filter and pump to pump suds up to the tool. It then returns via a line in that hole. You may not of course, model depending probably.
Well that makes sense.
The 83 everywhere was probably to match components during assembly. Some things might be lapped/machined to match rather than a specific dimension.
@@namAehT that was my thought too. Maybe the last 2 digits of the serial number? 2 digits would likely be enough that you wouldn't run into overlap in production where 2 tools on the line had the same numbers stamped on the parts.
would also have a catch tray round the base. pump sits in the Bridgebort port door. and a coarse filter in the base of the machine
@@HandToolRescue Also FYI, all those grease fittings should be tube fittings that all lead to a central pump oiler. It would be mounted on the base and every so often you lift the handle and it feeds a bit to every fitting.
That’s literally the nicest Bridgebort I’ve ever seen…
Cool movie great to see old machines brought back into use. Thanks
I would love to see HTR do a rescue/restore on an old Singer sewing machine. I have a 1906 model 27 Singer "Sphinx" that needs a cabinet restore. But watching HTR tear down and redo an old machine like that would be awesome.
My naughties get all tingly when a new htr video hits my feed
I spent 30 years running Bridgeports in various shops, ending in 1996. Nice trip down memory lane as you described the various controls. Had the opportunity to replace the cross nut on one of them, brought back the good old days watching you do it.
Everytime I see your intro, it cracks me up!
definitely an industrial look. much better than the white. love the narration.
The technical term is "clapped-out" LOL :D
That phrase was stuck in my head, too
Good ol' uncle BF
No its "Shes fuckered"
No, cause its not. HTR's Bridgebort is almost like new....
Man! I've run a lot of Bridgeport's in my time. GREAT little machines. You can do SOOO much more with them than they're supposed to do!
Love the Natural color of the Bridgeport Mill looks great.
I really appreciate the voice-over, it really brings the video to life and puts your personality. Please no more silent videos where we don't know what or why you are doing stuff. 🙏
I don't know what awards KZhead gives to content makers, but someone please, give this man one for BEST OPENING! I would love to see him, in keeping with 'that' guy, continue the character throughout the whole video. 😃Hell, he should make a second channel and have it be nothing but farce and screw-ups! 😄
I really like your videos! I keep sending them to my dad, too, he really enjoys them. This is the first one I've watched where you ace narrating. I love your dry sense of humor. 💜
The Bridgeport looks awesome. Thanks for sharing this video👍👍👍👍👍😺🤗🐺
Those close-up shots of the chips stuck in the knee reminds me of the drains in my house. Kids and women.....
I don't know why, but I always imagine that Ray Romano is narrating and it makes me joyful. 😊
Soothingly nasally.
Great job ! Both my father and grandfather worked for Bridgeport in the 60’s and 70’s and I served part of my apprenticeship on one - fond memories and one day I’ll get one in my workshop !
I look at people who know and operate these milling machines as Gods! A Salami Baloney! 🙏
Scraping those ways flat with your hands must have taken ages! 😳 I feel like a spoiled dork using an actual scraper tool now. A testament to the grit of workers of old. 💪😜
Love to see these old machines rescued and given a new lease of life after all their years of hard work, been after one myself for years but quite rare and very expensive over here in the uk
That is one hell of a magnificent machine! I'm so glad you didn't paint it. It looks like an absolute beast.
"Plus or minus 100 kilometers ..." That just cracked me up! Very nicely done, sir! Appreciate you sharing.
you have a very creative definition of what a hand tool is
The assorted Chips from the Machine would make a good underside to a Coffee Table covered with Epoxy
Or even cast an epoxy slab with the chips embedded in the epoxy
Murdertable?
@@thesledgehammerblog That name instantly came to my mind as well. A murdertable to place the murderbowl upon!
Hey-y-y-y-y-y !!! .... "Lightbulb " ....... !!!
I love the vocal description that goes along with the process of repairing this milling machine. Great work. Thank you for sharing.
The picture of shavings would make an incredible jig saw puzzle.
Make it yourself
God, I love everything about this. Repairing/restoring vintage equipment is the most rewarding thing. Edit: Looks better without paint. Now you can tell people you keep a "naked Bridgebort locked up in your workshop."
Excellent. The metal finish looks great, even with the casting pits. Many more years of fun with the machine now.
This was delightful. Thanks for taking the time to document the process!
Going thru' your catalogue again and this has to be thee finest restoration, in my humble opinion, you have done. Simply due to the fact that you DIDN'T paint it. Bare metal has a beauty that far outshines any pain job. I always have a little groan when chunks get dressed up. No need.
You have a very pleasant masculine voice and manner that I didn't expect. Great fun narration.
Great video and work as always! I agree that the raw cast iron is beautiful. I feel like you should cast resin all those scrap shavings of history from the Machine and then Mill the resin block into a handle for something on the Bridgebort or for handle scales on one of your screwdrivers. Also waiting for the video where you lower an entire large project piece into a giant vat of evaporust using an old restored powered wench controlled by turn levers that are just your remade wrenches!
This restoration was extremely gratifying to watch.
Excellent job, don't know much about about machining. My dad was a machinist. He wasn't able to teach me much.He past away when I was 7. Thanks for the education.
i always get a good vibes when the intro plays. 😃😃
I enjoyed this very much. The narration makes it even better. Love that you chose to keep it metal rather than paint. I really want a Bridgebort in my shop someday. Unfortunately they cost as much to move as buy.
Fantastic!! The “Naked “ look is spectacular. Great job 👏
The voice overs seriously make these videos better. Thank you sir.
Nice that you gave us peons a narrated video! It adds much depth.
The end result looks really good and appropriate for the workshop! The "oil finish" on the whole body of the machine would be my go to option as well!
Removing chips from the sides of the table was always a hassle for me even with a vacuum. I made a custom fit tray with a lift handle out of perforated steel to fit that space. I could easily lift the chips out! The hole you identify is threaded, not for chip removal, but for attachment of a lubricant drain tube. Makes that chip removal tray even more efficacious!
I'm a million miles away from your field of expertise, but I think the unpainted finish totally fits your brand and aesthetic
Your little quick jabs "100 km" keep me on my old toes. Mark dombrowski. The large wrench has arrived in Australia
Food for children, just a movie at lunchtime. I was wondering what to cook, thank you and I'm waiting for more culinary ideas :-)
Terrific voice over work HTR! Glad you got this up to your needs & speeds and can't wait to see what you do with it. Amazing find on the Shaping Attachment, only seen one other in 60+ years...back in 68' at a family friends gunsmith shop. Congrats HTR, well deserved! Now for some tooling. ;-D
The Bridgeport factory on Lindley Street was very familiar to me as I drove by it for many years. My best friend's father was Magnus's nephew, I believe--a man referred to as a trouble-shooter for the company after it was sold to Textron. As boy scouts he brought the troop to the facility and showed us the rows of machines in production. There was also a museum-like room that had a series of machines, I'm guessing to trace the lineage. That was in the early seventies. I wish I could have appreciated the genius of that machine as a kid, but I watch your videos with gratitude for your technical knowledge and your willingness and ability to bring that machine to life for future generations.
Tthat´s what i call a real restoration. It´s beter than new. Only a real restore passion can reach that level of beauty. Congrats. Tthat natural final iron cast finishing its absolutely awesome, giving to that machine a new life and a new home :)
"I have small kids" Hand Tool Rescue is a DILF confirmed
Hahahaha.
I am so glad you didn’t cover that beautiful machine in ugly new paint. You literally have the most beautiful Bridgeport on KZhead. Maybe paint the lettering a to make it pop. Or brass it.
Very sweet video, I learned plenty about milling machine basics as well as Bridgeport restoration. And your commentary is so much better then the captions on older videos. Thank you for adding that.
I've spent years using Bridgeports, a nice trip down memory lane. Thank you.
Wonderful job. I'm a bit torn. I love the end result, but I wanted you to incorporate the 83 into it somehow.
I never removed it!
he never removed it
@@DyslexicMitochondria I was curious about your username so clicked on your profile. you have an amazing channel bro
@@HandToolRescue True. Even though it wouldn’t match your normal process, for whatever reason a racing stripe and the number 83 popped into my head.
Fucking finally! I have watched a few Bridgeports being restored and you actually didn´t screw it with some ugly paint. It looks awesome now, great video!
bridgeborts*
Gonna paint mine neon orange 🧡🍊 with black pinstripe because mechanicool
@@PatrickPease no. If you paint it the only color you are allowed to choose is that hammered blue mint teal color, black, or poop brown. Come on.
@@PatrickPease I´ve already seen one in baby pink... so do what you must, for i have already lost
@@connosps4656 bridgeborts of course, my bad
I have watched Most all your videos. You have inspired me to start my own channel. It’s a slow start but I am enjoying the journey. Thank you very much.
That Cast iron look is cool. Like Metal Finishing Extraordinaire. Best video yet, that i have seen.
"You're gonna do a lot of screwing and everything is oily." Nice.
Nice.
Nice.
Oiled. Other PH connoisseurs will know.
Superb. I was a bit disappointed you didn't paint it Day-Glo orange, as this is an easily misplaced piece of machinery in the workshop.
🤣
You have been visited by the spirit of ThisOldTony and have been blessed with a Bridgeport.
Excellent video, very well done, first class restoration. I'm very elderly, in my eighties, in my youth I worked using Bridgeport's and Dufour Mills. This brings back pleasant memories for me. Keep up the good work. Best regards. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍