Dimensions of a Bridgeport column access door

[jmarkwolf]

Would someone with a Bridgeport vertical mill be so kind as to measure the dimensions of the column access door?

The access door on my newer ACER eMill just has a "plastic cover" with a screw at each corner. If the dimensions are compatible, I'd like to purchase, modify, and install a Bridgeport door on Ebay to allow access to some extra storage inside the column. I don't want to go to the expense before knowing if the door size would be compatible.

Thanks in advance.

Pic below:

[polaraligned]

8" x 11" is the hole in the column.

[deltaenterprizes]

My Grizzly has the cover also and I have been planning to do the same thing!

[The Metal Butcher]

Just gonna fill up with chips... I'd recommend against storing much in there.

[JoeLee]

Just gonna fill up with chips... I'd recommend against storing much in there.

How do chips get in there ? I've never found any chips in mine.

JL......

[The Metal Butcher]

How do chips get in there ? I've never found any chips in mine.

JL......

The slot between the ram and turret. Right there, looking from the front.



When we first got ours, I thought it was careless owners going wild with air. It was only after some months using it did I discover what does it. It's the clips flung by endmills. Worst is cutting aluminum in the such a way that it tosses chips at the column (better than yourself of course!). Doing so flings them right up in that gap where they invariably veritably fall down into that cavity. I found it was >90% Aluminum. A simple brass guard screwed on could almost entirely solve the issue.

[JoeLee]

The slot between the ram and turret. Right there, looking from the front.



When we first got ours, I thought it was careless owners going wild with air. It was only after some months using it did I discover what does it. It's the clips flung by endmills. Worst is cutting aluminum in the such a way that it tosses chips at the column (better than yourself of course!). Doing so flings them right up in that gap where they invariably veritably fall down into that cavity. I found it was >90% Aluminum. A simple brass guard screwed on could almost entirely solve the issue.

That's what I figured, the gap between the ram dovetails. I have a lexan back shield mounted on the back of my table and that stops almost all the chips from ending up anywhere behind the machine.

But still that small opening between the ram DT is a long way up there.

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

[The Metal Butcher]

Depends on your style of milling. Long tool, in an endmill holder, with the quill flapping in the breeze causes minimal issues. Short endmill with the quill all the way up will fling them there no issue.

[Rich Carlstedt]

I never have chips in the box ?
I keep my extraneous tool holders and clamps inside , And I don't leave the door open .
This is a 1943 Bridgeport and the opening is 8 x 11, and the door is 9 x 12. Serial # 3923 and still kicks butt !
Rich

[flathead4]

I'm trying to remember if I have ever opened that door in the three years since i brought it home. There could be a family of gnomes living in there for all I know.

[flathead4]

Well I took a peak inside and no gnomes but there are some Al chips on the ledge that is under the front of the ram. Also some Al chips on the outside in the middle of the dovetail. I was machining a bunch of Al last time. So I guess chips can find their way inside.

[polaraligned]

If you don't have a shelf, the chips are dropping right to the floor inside the column.

[Rich Carlstedt]

Through that hole you have no doubt. it also shows signs of coolant/fluid stains
What is that hole ?

Rich

[Doozer]

If you don't have chips in the box
you're not doing it right ~!~!~!~!~

-D

[SVS]

Through that hole you have no doubt. it also shows signs of coolant/fluid stains
What is that hole ?

Rich

Coolant hose port I think. A pump is “supposed “ to live down in there.