Is an M head Bridgeport a good buy?

[BMSS]

A neighbor of mine came by the other day and told me that he wanted to buy a mill. He had found a guy in the area that had a Bridgeport set up with a single phase motor for sale for $2000.00 that seemed to be a great buy, but before he could gather up the money, the guy sold it.

The guy then told him that he had another Bridgeport, but that it was an "M" head, and it was set up for 3 phase power. He is asking $1700.00 for it and will include a set of Morse collets with it.

I told him that I am unfamiliar with the "M" head machines, but that I would try to find out if it is a good rugged machine. I'm asking you folks if any of you have had any experience with these machines, and would it offer him good service. He is a hobbyist, not someone who will have to earn a living with the machine. What do you think?

[portlandRon]

The "M" head came with three collet sizes. MT #2, B&S-3 or B-3. The main drawback for all three sizes is that tha max. collet capacity is 1/2 inch. Being 3 phase sould not be a concern. You can get a VFD for about $200. that will let you run the 3 phase motor from single phase 110 or 220 volts. It also give you variable spend control.
That being said the price does seam a little high unless it comes with some tooling or is in like new condition.

[EVguru]

http://www.lathes.co.uk/bridgeport/page15.html

[SGW]

As portlandRon says, the only real drawback is the limited collet capacity. Also lack of the power downfeed the J head has. That being said, neither point should be a deal-breaker unless the buyer is planning on doing a lot of large work and/or lots of boring. The price may be a tad bit high, but on the other hand if the machine is in really good shape it's not totally unreasonable, either. And it's available. I don't know what the machinery market is like where you are, but in some parts of the country ANY used machine is tough to find.

[DR]

In most of the more "industrial" (big cities with lots of manufacturing) areas $1700 for an M head is very high.

But, if you're in an area where there aren't so many machines for sale, you sometimes have to pay what's being asked. Or, you could wait half a lifetime hoping for a better deal.

Listen to the machine run in all speed ranges. Cut some material.

An M head I once had would make an annoying rattle while cutting. The splined sleeve inside the driven pulley was worn badly. $80 to replace, that was years ago when B'port was still in business though.

[BMSS]

Finding mills is not too difficult around here. Unfortunately, many of them are just completely worn out. This M head is supposed to be in very good condition. Very tight with no visible wear. At least that is what he told me.

Thanks for the responses. I will print and pass on your thoughts to my neighbor.

[gwilson]

Look at the sliding surfaces on the knee,and up under the table with a flashlight. If the scraping and flaking marks are all gone,it's pretty worn. Also check how much backlash is in the feed screws.

The M head was the first Bridgeport to come out. I'm not sure when they went to the J head,but those M heads are pretty old types. They are also for lighter types of work.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong about how old these M heads are.

[Alistair Hosie]

They look very old to me.I could be wrong but I would rather wait and buy what I really wanted not to be rushed into second best or even third best. MY 2 cents.Alistair

[Marc M]

The "M" head came with three collet sizes. MT #2, B&S-3 or B-3...

The Brown & Sharpe collet was a #7, not a 3 -

Marc -

[Black_Moons]

1/2" capacity seems a little small. likey a good machine for a hobbiest but seems a little overpriced unless its pristine and/or your in very sparse machine area.

PS: for $2000+ you can get some of the nicer big chinese benchtop mills like an IH new, with a little more for shiping... Im very happy with my IH (clone) mill. R8 spindle, 30x12x19" XYZ travel.. no power feeds but oh well, easy enough to add. 7/8" max tooling in collets..

Buying big used machinery shiped can be risky as inspection before buying it is often not an option.