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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Gunsmithing
Cutting dovetails, how hard can it be...
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<blockquote data-quote="Trickymissfit" data-source="post: 634279" data-attributes="member: 25383"><p>my comments about multiple tool holders is just in the way some folks like to set them up. And example would be in threading and cutting a very square shoulder. But myself I always just used one tool holder at a time like most of you.</p><p> </p><p>The original Bridgeport design was with a short table (36"?), and used a step pulley head. That is still their best design to this very day. Look at some of the other mahines and you'll notice that the table (x axis) is fully supported in all it travel. Now to really see what that table is like, remove it and set it on a surface plate (on three points). It will scare you to death! Their tables flex all over the place (I had one measure almost .008" once). The shorter ones are far more ridgid, and do not wear the gibs due to less over hang when in use. But just as bad is that the table will also become a lever forcing excess wear on the dovetails in the saddle (that's why they did the hard chrome option). Now you compair the bridgeport with a Willis Machine clone, and the first thing you'll see is that the saddle ways are about 4" wide, and further apart. Everything on the machine rides on hard ways and Turcite at a crush fit. It's not perfect, but still far more ridgid. Then you move into the spindle head. Both use a "J" type head, but one is much moe massive. The quill on the Willis alone is about 2" in diameter larger. Bigger bearings and a larger spindle diameter means it will handle heavier cutting loads. Most folks opt for the Bridgeport taper tool holders these days (I always liked the R8 holders). The Willis uses number 40 Ericson tool holders. Much heavier construction, and are machine at a fraction of the talorence that the Bridgeport tapered holders are (course they cost more). But the real advantage here is the many styles that Ericson sells (or the clones). The other major issue with the J head is in the drive pulley and the plastic sleeve they use. There is a fix for this (heard it was being copywrighted). When the sleeve goes the drive key screws up the spindle. This area on some other machines is built much heavier, and at least one uses a double depth twin key setup that has the drive keys locked down with cap screws. </p><p> </p><p>If I were shopping for a Bridport type machine, I'd either buy the Willis or a Southwest Trac. The SWT uses ball screws and hard ways. But uses the same basic J head. Seems to position a little more accurately, and for sure cuts a little more square. Better yet would be a Fidale out of California. It has a much wider table and a better frame design. If I were buying a milling machine in that basic class today it would be a Fidale without a second thought.</p><p>gary</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Trickymissfit, post: 634279, member: 25383"] my comments about multiple tool holders is just in the way some folks like to set them up. And example would be in threading and cutting a very square shoulder. But myself I always just used one tool holder at a time like most of you. The original Bridgeport design was with a short table (36"?), and used a step pulley head. That is still their best design to this very day. Look at some of the other mahines and you'll notice that the table (x axis) is fully supported in all it travel. Now to really see what that table is like, remove it and set it on a surface plate (on three points). It will scare you to death! Their tables flex all over the place (I had one measure almost .008" once). The shorter ones are far more ridgid, and do not wear the gibs due to less over hang when in use. But just as bad is that the table will also become a lever forcing excess wear on the dovetails in the saddle (that's why they did the hard chrome option). Now you compair the bridgeport with a Willis Machine clone, and the first thing you'll see is that the saddle ways are about 4" wide, and further apart. Everything on the machine rides on hard ways and Turcite at a crush fit. It's not perfect, but still far more ridgid. Then you move into the spindle head. Both use a "J" type head, but one is much moe massive. The quill on the Willis alone is about 2" in diameter larger. Bigger bearings and a larger spindle diameter means it will handle heavier cutting loads. Most folks opt for the Bridgeport taper tool holders these days (I always liked the R8 holders). The Willis uses number 40 Ericson tool holders. Much heavier construction, and are machine at a fraction of the talorence that the Bridgeport tapered holders are (course they cost more). But the real advantage here is the many styles that Ericson sells (or the clones). The other major issue with the J head is in the drive pulley and the plastic sleeve they use. There is a fix for this (heard it was being copywrighted). When the sleeve goes the drive key screws up the spindle. This area on some other machines is built much heavier, and at least one uses a double depth twin key setup that has the drive keys locked down with cap screws. If I were shopping for a Bridport type machine, I'd either buy the Willis or a Southwest Trac. The SWT uses ball screws and hard ways. But uses the same basic J head. Seems to position a little more accurately, and for sure cuts a little more square. Better yet would be a Fidale out of California. It has a much wider table and a better frame design. If I were buying a milling machine in that basic class today it would be a Fidale without a second thought. gary [/QUOTE]
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Cutting dovetails, how hard can it be...
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