Thanks for your kind offer! I may head your way at some point. WHen I got to the BP the vise had "disappeared" Ah well, there was a complete collet set and rack. I have a chuck from my Lathe. Step one is to get my phase converter here. Step two is to get a vise. Step three is to check the mill to see if the table is running square. I found these great youtube videos by a guy named Tubal Cane. He runs through the basics of working a bridgeport. I last used one in 1973 to make notches in roll cage tubing. I've got a lot to learn.
Sean in CT wrote:
get a collet set (if it doesnt have one). It takes R8s. Some sets come with a collet rack to mount on the side of the machine. Also a jacobs chuck and a boring head are good to have. I just put a DRO (digital read out) which tells the position of the table digitally, rather than counting marks on the dial, and compensating for backlash. I bought an import 2 axis DRO off of EBAY for under $400 shipped. It also interpolates circles (ie bolt circles) which is a nice feature. Parallels are nice for setting stuff up in the vise. I also have a digital angle finder which is useful for many other things too.
The table is lubed with WAY OIL(its like honey). Even though there are "grease fittings" dont grease it. The spindle uses "spindle oil" (believe it or not). Both way and spindle oil can be purchased from ENCO. The spindle needs to be oiled every time you use the machine. If you want to swing down to my shop in CT sometime, ill show you the basics and give you a few endmills to play with. My zip is 06379. I might have an extra chuck and a few collets too (not sure if i already gave them away) I also have several gallons of way oil...i can part with a pint or quart.
I not only mill and drill with mine, but i also use it as a tubing notcher. Its a tossup between my TIG and my B'port as my favorite machine.
Also, I would take it off the dolly and level it. They dont need to be leveled, but gravity/ the earth make a nice, repeatable reference.
Sean