Whats the trick to keeping handles from falling off?

[gary350]

When I am using the bridgeport mill vibration makes the vise handle fall off on the floor. It also makes the mill crank handle that cranks the table up down fall on the floor too. If I don't pull both handles off and set them on the work bench before I start to mill they both fall off. Today I was cutting .010" off the edge of .375" plastic to square the edge both handles fell off every time I made a pass across the 4" edge. Is there any trick to keeping the handles from falling off on the floor???

[wierdscience]

Install detent balls in the bores-

http://www.carrlane.com/Catalog/inde...2A36515F57425B

[Dr Stan]

Install detent balls in the bores-

Good idea, I'll have to do the same.

[bborr01]

Hi Gary,

Installing a detent ball, we always referred to them as vlier screws or plunger screws, would probably help.

But I can't figure out why you would be having that problem in the first place, unless your mill is sitting on a floor that is 20 or 30 degrees out of level.

I ran dozens of different bridgeports and clones over the years and I can't recall having that happen more than a few times, maybe when I had a corncob cutter in a little too deep or something like that.

I wonder if the gibs are excessively loose.

Brian

[lakeside53]

yes.. just what I was thinking...

[JoeLee]

You must have some kind of vibration if your handels are falling off. That kind of vibration is not normal for any machine. My guess is bad bearings of pulleys in the head.

JL..............

[TriHonu]

I agree the vibration is abnormal. Easy fix is just to put on the handle and then put a tight o-ring on the shaft. It should keep the handle from sliding off.

[gearedloco]

You must have some kind of vibration if your handels are falling off. That kind of vibration is not normal for any machine. My guess is bad bearings of pulleys in the head.

JL..............

Hmmm - 'Freddy and the Vibrating Handels" - isn't that a Steam-Punk rock group?


Sorry guys - it's been "one of those days. I promise to shut up for now!

-bill

[Dr Stan]

Hmmm - 'Freddy and the Vibrating Handels" - isn't that a Steam-Punk rock group?


Sorry guys - it's been "one of those days. I promise to shut up for now!

-bill

I've had a few of those lately myself. I was considering telling him to weld the handles on, oops I guess I just did.

[John Stevenson]

No it's standard for a Bridgeport, I hang milk churns from the back of the ram and make butter during a normal shift.

As regards the table raise handle i have drilled and tapped mine and fitted a screw and large washer.

I did this as one day when I was bent over winding like crazy the handle flew off, swung round on it's handle and the spiky bit smacked me on the end of the snout.

Would have been freaking hilarious if it had happened to someone else but we were not amused

Probably the best mod I have made to this machine short of selling it.