Bridgeport mill identification

[kawsam62s]

Hi
Looking at mill to buy with the model number on the small side door
#18709
Is this 1953 for the year?
Thx for the help!

 

[butchlambert]

Start with this:
Year Serial Number
1938 BH-1 thru BH-39
1939 BH-40 thru BH-252
1940 BH-253 thru BH-656
1941 BH-657 thru BH-1549
1942 BH-1550 thru BH-2943
1943 BH-2944 thru BH-4105
1944 BH-4106 thru BH-4997
1945 BH-4998 thru BH-5930
1946 BH-5931 thru BH-7235
1947 BH-7236 thru BH-8814
1948 BH-8815 thru BH-10381
1949 BH-10382 thru BH-11378
1950 BH-11379 thru BH-12750
1951 BH-12751 thru BH-14489
1952 BH-14490 thru BH-16700
1953 BH-16701 thru BH-19367
1954 BH-19368 thru BH-22732
1955 BH-22733 thru BH-26962
1956 BR-26963 thru BR-31618
BH-30023 Last Round Arm BR-30024 First Dovetail Overarm
1957 BR-31619 thru BR-37278


1958 BR-37279 thru BR-42110
1959 BR-42111 thru BR-46938
1960 BR-46939 thru BR-52598
1961 BR-52599 thru BR-58552
1962 BR-58553 thru BR-64987
1963 BR-64988 thru BR-71981
1964 BR-71982 thru BR-79538
1965 BR-79539 thru BR-88180
1966 BR-88181 thru BR-98089
1967 BR-98090 thru BR-108351
1968 BR-108352 thru BR-118640
1969 BR-118641 thru BR-131778
1970 BR-131779 thru BR-138639
1971 BR-138640 thru BR-143350
1972 BR-143351 thru BR-149294
1973 BR-149295 thru BR-157909
1974 BR-157910 thru BR-167652
1975 BR-167653 thru BR-174083
1976 BR-174084 thru BR-180697
1977 BR-180698 thru BR-188559
1978 BR-188560 thru BR-196987
1979 BR-196988 thru BR-206296
1980 BR-206297 thru BR-216473
1981 BR-216474 thru BR-227523
1982 BR-227524 thru BR-231827
1983 BR-231828 thru BR-236110
1984 BR-236111 thru BR-241350
1985 BR-245351 thru BR-245659
1986 BR-245660 thru BR-248551
1987 BR-248552 thru BR-250531
1988 BR-250532 thru BR-252874
1989 BR-252875 thru BR-255463
1990 BR-255464 thru BR-257888
1991 BR-257889 thru BR-259897
1992 BR-259898 thru BR-262187
1993 BR-262188 thru BR-264585
1994 BR-264586 thru BR-267603
1995 BR-267604 thru BR-271109
1996 BR-271110 thru BR-273843
1997 BR-273844 thru BR-276799
1998 BR-276800 thru BR-279106
1999 BR-279107 thru BR-280965
2000 BR-280966 thru BR-283022
2001 BR-283023 thru BR-284382
2002 BR-284383 thru BR-284978

I believe that the not as desirable round ram was built until 1956.

 

[kawsam62s]

Thx
So that number is 1953 based on that chart? And having the round rod holding the j head verified before 1956 manufactured

 

[hpshooter]

Thx
So that number is 1953 based on that chart? And having the round rod holding the j head verified before 1956 manufactured

Recommend taking that fixturing plate off the table and checking the condition of the table surface if you haven't already done that.

 

[butchlambert]

If you can get other than the round ram you will be much better off.

 

[LVLAaron]

That's clearly one of the Bridgebort models.

 

[kawsam62s]

A couple things about it it’s obviously very old guy bought it at auction it’s three phase so I can’t plug it in before buying it and he wants $4000 for it which seems excessively high for such an old machine and if the round top is a problem I think I could possibly spend less money on a newer machine what are y’all’s thoughts

 

[butchlambert]

A couple things about it it’s obviously very old guy bought it at auction it’s three phase so I can’t plug it in before buying it and he wants $4000 for it which seems excessively high for such an old machine and if the round top is a problem I think I could possibly spend less money on a newer machine what are y’all’s thoughts

Personally I think the price is way out of line. Be patient and search further. That in my opinion is a $1500 machine if the table is good and the ways are not excessively worn.

 

[kawsam62s]

Personally I think the price is way out of line. Be patient and search further. That in my opinion is a $1500 machine if the table is good and the ways are not excessively worn.

a few others have said $2000.00 max i will keep looking
thx for the help everyone!!

 

[Steve morgan]

A couple things about it it’s obviously very old guy bought it at auction it’s three phase so I can’t plug it in before buying it and he wants $4000 for it which seems excessively high for such an old machine and if the round top is a problem I think I could possibly spend less money on a newer machine what are y’all’s thoughts

Would not pay that price. Its probably a Morse taper spindle , 1/2 inch collet is biggest you can use. With round ram and mt spindle . 800 to 1100 would be a big price for it.

 

[kawsam62s]

Well I found one a 1966 bridgeport series 1
I have been looking at the dros on Amazon anyone tried any? I know there cheap any good for home use?

 

[Steve morgan]

Well I found one a 1966 bridgeport series 1
I have been looking at the dros on Amazon anyone tried any? I know there cheap any good for home use?View attachment 1357568

Look at DRO Pro. They are reasonably priced and work well.

 

[Walt Krafft]

H&W Machine Repair specializes in Bridgeport parts and repair. They are also an excellent source for dro kits. Mounting a dro properly is real important. If you try to go cheap and just buy the scales figuring you can make mounts yourself, you are making a mistake.

 

[butchlambert]

You might want to look for an on-off knob.

 

[GenePoole]

I wonder how many pairs of vise-grips have ended up replacing knobs, switches, etc. Probably more than get used as actual tools.

 

[kawsam62s]

You might want to look for an on-off knob.

 

[kawsam62s]

I did make one from a old knob laying around

 

[kawsam62s]

And a few levers were missing too
Also not sure if any oils been put in the cups on the j head what can I use I do have a lathe and the correct oils for it?

 

[butchlambert]

Many years ago I needed a manual for my Bridgeports. I did a search and printed it off the internet. Try that.

 

[kawsam62s]

And a few levers were missing too

Many years ago I needed a manual for my Bridgeports. I did a search and printed it off the internet. Try that.

10 weight oil