Bridgeport Knee Mill maintenance

• the Bridgeport requires
• lubrication of the spindle feed
  • nominally 2x/week if in use. At PS1, this should be performed at each use
  • Follow the lubrication instructions located on the head of the mill
  • failure to lubricate will result in excessive wear on feed mechanism
• lubrication of the quill
  • nominally weekly, or at each use if use is less frequent
  • Follow the lubrication instructions located on the head of the mill
  • failure to lubricate will result in excessive wear on spindle bearings
• greasing of the backgears.
  • every 6months
  • locate a tube of the correct lithium grease, screw it into the grease port, and squeeze some in.
  • The exact amount isn't hugely critical, but it is best not to over-fill, as excessive grease can cause undue heating of the spindle until the grease melts
  • failure to lubricate will result in excessive wear of the geartrain
• lubrication of the ways using the one-shot oil system (typically performed prior to each use).
  • at every use
  • failure to lubricate the ways will result in excessive wear of the ways, as well as binding of the ways, resulting in uneven feed pressure when cutting. This may increase tool loading unexpectedly, resulting in snapped bits.
• The head of the mill should be trammed on a monthly basis, or whenever it is out of alignment.
  • failure to tram the head will result in inaccurate cuts, and inability to hold tolerances. (Your part won't come out square, but you and the mill should both be fine)
• the table of the mill should be stoned flat on a yearly basis, or whenever it is damaged.
  • failure to stone the table may result in the vise, or parts clamped to the table failing to sit flush. This will result in inaccurate cuts and inability to hold tolerances (Your part wont come out square, but you and the mill should both be fine)

While the more frequent lubrication items should be performed whenever the mill is operated, PS1 should double-check that the mill is correctly lubricated on a monthly basis

Bridgeport mill maintenance log table

oil spindle	oil quill	grease backgears	oil ways	tram head	stone table	date completed	person completing
monthly	monthly	6month interval	monthly	monthly	yearly
x	x		x			Aug3 2017	tucker/Miriam
x	x		x			Sept7 2017	tucker/Miriam
x	x		x			Oct5 2017	tucker
x	x		x			Nov 9 2017	tucker
x	x	x	x			Jan 11 2018	tucker
no oil can for spindle oil	x	x	x			Feb 8 2018	tucker
x	x		x			Apr 5 2018	tucker/Daniel
x	x		x			May31 2018	tucker/McTavish