[squale]

I am looking to start my own small home machine shop. I learned how to mill on a Bridgeport knee mill. I was wondering how expensive a new Bridgeport mill would be? or are there other brands that are just as good which are less expensive? I really only need 3-axis, but may possibly add an indexer over time.

Thanks

[mxtras]

A new manual BP is around $13K. With Chrome ways $16K if I recall.

Scott

[squale]

What do you think of the Trak Mills by Southerwestern Industries in comparrison to the Bridgeports?

[mxtras]

No experience with those, sorry.

Anyone else?

Scott

[9 1/2]

don't ignore a good used unit. This is a less expensive option when initial cash out lay may be a problem (for a new business) You'd pay a little over half for a good used one 8-9k
Just my thoughts.
peace
EIDT: bad spelling

[Ron111]

Squale,

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I just went to the SW website and the Trak mills look to be imported BP clones. You can get a cnc'ed one for around $16 K. Might be good units, but I think that they are imports.

Ron

[chad123]

Squale,

A friend of mine is a dealer and also a user of the Track mills. He uses his daily and is very happy and has not had any problems..

If you can swing a cnc bp or clone you will be very glad you did.

chad

[squale]

what is a cnc bp?

[mxtras]

BP = Bridgeport.

I think you know what CNC means....

Scott

[wcarrothers1]

All depends on what you want to do I guess.

The local shop has cnc'd BP's for 25K or maybe a little less. They are clean and look really nice and have modern drives. and handles for manual use (something I wish mine had)

How ever I got my r2v3 for 1/25th the price. Basicly all the guts of a bridgeport with drives for cnc. Course I might be a lucky one who happened to get one that is in full working order with tooling. But if you just want a regular BP look around for a local auction or something. That is sometimes the cheepest way to get a BP.. And how I'd get one if I needed another.

b.

[DareBee]

Here is your BP pricing
http://www.hardingequotes.com/index.asp?machID=23
Here is a great bolt-on CNC package
http://www.fagor-automation.com/Prod...CNCPackage.htm

[jdehave]

If you look into it the bridgeports are made in Asia now as well. That's why there's hardly anyone left at Hardinge. Those were the last to go.

[TarHeelTom]

And if you're looking for a used Bp, don't forget to check craigslist a couple of times a day, and search several different craigslist editions for the area around you as well. But be prepared to act quickly when you find one. They sell fast at the current prices.