That is fascinating and disorienting, precision machining in an unfamiliar space where you have to establish square flat and level on whatever you find. And with parts so heavy you have to make gantries to even move them around. You have the craziest experiences! I am grateful to see these amazing situations through your eyes!
Recently found your channel and love it. Binge watching everything. I was sitting here watching and thought oh my he reminds me of bubbles. So now that i saw that im here to ruin it for you too. You will never un see it now lol. Keep up the good work
The back axle cross members bolt to those pads. The axle is free to rotate around the middle of the cross members, the cross members are made of cast iron, so that they have a good surface for the rotation, a fiber bushing is also used in the joint. When the machine gets an extra heavy load/hit (first one broke the loader arms off when the damage occurred), the cross member breaks & then it bends at the frame mount doing damage. Replacing the cross members will make the machine go again, but if the frame is too far off from flat, the new members will break very soon. The first one I did was breaking a pair of axle cross members per month, after the facing, the next set lasted over 4 years.
I recently purchased a second Bridgeport to use a bit more portable like this. Was curious what you did about lubing the spindle bearings to run sideways and upside down where of course you can't rely on the drip lube system. I know you can replace with sealed greased bearings as was common on pattern makers machines since of course they didn't want oil dripping on the wood parts. Was this the route you went or did it stay lubed enough as it was
That brings back a lot of memories of thirty some years of field machining. The company I retired from had portable versions of most machines, from milling and drilling to a huge portable modular lathe that could swing eighteen feet and whatever length needed. They use a lot of equipment from Mastermill, and Climax .They also made a lot of their own specialized equipment.
The pictures are from 2 jobs, the first was 2013 basic surfacing with the mine providing 3 helpers for just under $20K, second was 2017 surfacing, drill/tap new holes, all labor provided by Howee's Machine, was $71K
I've read about using a bridgeport style mill in the horizontal position, but never seen photos or a video! Thanks for sharing yours. I always wondered how successful using a bridgeport style mill as a horizontal borer would be!? From your your photos, it worked ok. Did you worry about oil supply to the spindle?
This is great! Thank you very much! I've been trying to figure out how to do this kind of work for awhile. I do smaller stuff so I never get the opportunity. Very cool, thank you
I remember the first time I had to face a flange in the field. My boss told me to figure it out when I get there. I took what we had in the trailer and eventually came up with a rig to let us face it. Good times but I'm too old for that now.
Seen a few of your videos showing this kind of work. What mounts to those pads? Also what causes the wear that requires repair? Thanks for the content, it's great to see this kind of problem solving
The back axle cross members bolt to those pads. The axle is free to rotate around the middle of the cross members, the cross members are made of cast iron, so that they have a good surface for the rotation, a fiber bushing is also used in the joint. When the machine gets an extra heavy load/hit (first one broke the loader arms off when the damage occurred), the cross member breaks & then it bends at the frame mount doing damage. Replacing the cross members will make the machine go again, but if the frame is too far off from flat, the new members will break very soon. The first one I did was breaking a pair of axle cross members per month, after the facing, the next set lasted over 4 years.
That is fascinating and disorienting, precision machining in an unfamiliar space where you have to establish square flat and level on whatever you find. And with parts so heavy you have to make gantries to even move them around. You have the craziest experiences!
I am grateful to see these amazing situations through your eyes!
Recently found your channel and love it. Binge watching everything. I was sitting here watching and thought oh my he reminds me of bubbles. So now that i saw that im here to ruin it for you too. You will never un see it now lol. Keep up the good work
Big fan of your work mate, top job.
thank you so much John, this is so interesting, hers from way down in Orlando, Florida, Paul
Great channel. Even though I barely know what you are talking about most of the time.
Big boys toys very good
So what are mounted to these pads normally? And how do they get so worn, exactly?
The back axle cross members bolt to those pads. The axle is free to rotate around the middle of the cross members, the cross members are made of cast iron, so that they have a good surface for the rotation, a fiber bushing is also used in the joint. When the machine gets an extra heavy load/hit (first one broke the loader arms off when the damage occurred), the cross member breaks & then it bends at the frame mount doing damage. Replacing the cross members will make the machine go again, but if the frame is too far off from flat, the new members will break very soon. The first one I did was breaking a pair of axle cross members per month, after the facing, the next set lasted over 4 years.
Thanks!
I recently purchased a second Bridgeport to use a bit more portable like this. Was curious what you did about lubing the spindle bearings to run sideways and upside down where of course you can't rely on the drip lube system. I know you can replace with sealed greased bearings as was common on pattern makers machines since of course they didn't want oil dripping on the wood parts. Was this the route you went or did it stay lubed enough as it was
That brings back a lot of memories of thirty some years of field machining. The company I retired from had portable versions of most machines, from milling and drilling to a huge portable modular lathe that could swing eighteen feet and whatever length needed. They use a lot of equipment from Mastermill, and Climax .They also made a lot of their own specialized equipment.
Or are these sliding surfaces?
Are the square tubes of the frame stuffed full of rags to prevent chatter/vibration?
Peanut butter.
Tubes were empty in the middle the extra cross bracing made it quite solid.
How much did you invoice the mine for this job?
3 easy payments of $29.95. That last payment is gonna be haaaaarrrrrd.
The pictures are from 2 jobs, the first was 2013 basic surfacing with the mine providing 3 helpers for just under $20K, second was 2017 surfacing, drill/tap new holes, all labor provided by Howee's Machine, was $71K
I've read about using a bridgeport style mill in the horizontal position, but never seen photos or a video! Thanks for sharing yours. I always wondered how successful using a bridgeport style mill as a horizontal borer would be!? From your your photos, it worked ok. Did you worry about oil supply to the spindle?
I did not worry, while you are supposed to oil regularly, I have seen shops go for a month or more with no oil & they get by.
Nice finish
This is great! Thank you very much! I've been trying to figure out how to do this kind of work for awhile. I do smaller stuff so I never get the opportunity. Very cool, thank you
Awesome machine work.
This job was definitely a challenge.
Job well done.
I've often wondered how large machines and equipment are (properly) repaired or modified in the field.
A gifted man! knowing him personally has had the effect of forming of me into the kind of machinist that I am.
I remember the first time I had to face a flange in the field. My boss told me to figure it out when I get there. I took what we had in the trailer and eventually came up with a rig to let us face it. Good times but I'm too old for that now.
Seen a few of your videos showing this kind of work. What mounts to those pads? Also what causes the wear that requires repair? Thanks for the content, it's great to see this kind of problem solving
The back axle cross members bolt to those pads. The axle is free to rotate around the middle of the cross members, the cross members are made of cast iron, so that they have a good surface for the rotation, a fiber bushing is also used in the joint. When the machine gets an extra heavy load/hit (first one broke the loader arms off when the damage occurred), the cross member breaks & then it bends at the frame mount doing damage. Replacing the cross members will make the machine go again, but if the frame is too far off from flat, the new members will break very soon. The first one I did was breaking a pair of axle cross members per month, after the facing, the next set lasted over 4 years.
How many days to complete a job like that?
About 7 @ 2ea. 12hr/day shifts