Warco GH Universal or Bridgeport

[cejm78]

On cejm78 Said:

…With a Z-axis travel of 310mm do you not come close to capacity?

I regularly run out of Y travel which entails shuffling the work, or more often the ram. Similarly with X travel, shuffling sometimes needed. I have run out of Z travel a few times. Solutions are to use the right angle attachment, dump the drill/mill chuck and buy collets and/or a stub drill/reamer.

The lack of rigidity on the Bridgeport shows up mainly as a thou or so of tool deflection entailing roughing, spring back and then a finish cut when needing to hold a tolerance. On heavy cuts I have occasionally moved the head out of tram.

Julie

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

My simple reaction is it depends mainly on condition.

• A new GH from Warco won’t be worn, and Warco will sort out any defects found on delivery.
• A second-hand Bridgeport might need a lot of TLC.  Time, Labour and Cost, not Tender Loving Care!  Restoring one in poor condition is a major project, perhaps requiring re-grinds or lots of scraping. Cracked castings, bent lead-screws, and dodgy electrics and motors are painful.  The Bridgeport badge does not protect against wear and tear.  Or a factory closure where the machine was carelessly moved with a forklift, the handles smashed on a pillar, the machine dropped, and then left outside in the rain for a few months. Spares are full price.

If the Bridgeport is in good condition, or has a few minor faults you can fix yourself, then, for the same money, it’s the winner.  Otherwise buy the Warco – decent enough, and low risk.

A poorly Bridgeport might be preferred if you have the skills, time and interest needed to restore it.  Personally, I want to spend the time I have using tools, not mending them.  Others enjoy restoring old tools.

Best to have an expert look at second-hand machine tools unless you’re experienced, especially if they can’t be demonstrated cutting metal.  Clubs are good.

Dave

 

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

If you are close to Traceymachinery as they have a range of BPs at various prices you could go see and ask what is making the price difference. They have a Gate at half the price, 50 years old but the square ways may be easier to inspect and refurbish.
Lots of ex school Europas which I’ve never heard of. If you are only using the mill a little for odd jobs do you need a ‘big name’ or perhaps can make do with that and one I looked at was dated 2010. Think about that – what school has taught hands on tech for 10 years so probably hardly used.

[cejm78Participant @cejm78]

Thanks Julie. Your input is greatly appreciated. It all makes more sense now.

Thanks Dave. You hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately, I lack the knowledge to determine if a used lathe needs a full overhaul or is of good quality. The skills and time to carry out a refurbishment is not so much of an issue. Apart from the re-grinds, which I don’t have the tools for.

Thanks Bazyle. I looked (online) at the Europas. Being ex school can be a blessing or a curse. I need to have a look what spare parts availability is and if there is any technical know how about these machines. I don’t need a big name mill at all. I need a mill that meets my requirements and that has some spare parts back-up.

[cejm78Participant @cejm78]

Quick question regarding table sizes.

If looking at the Warco GH Universal and the Warco VMC, the table size of the GH U is 800 x 240. The table size for the VMC is 740 x 160.

From what I understand, the VMC is a bit more rigid. However, should the larger table size be a more important consideration compared to rigidity?

The gap to bed on the VMC is smaller than on the GH U but this can be solved with a riser.

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/warco-vmc-head-riser.81108/

[Mark EasingwoodParticipant @markeasingwood33578]

Hi,

Would a better question be, ” does the table have enough travel in X & Y for the largest parts I may wish to machine?”

Mark.

[cejm78Participant @cejm78]

Just ordered the GH Universal. Warco do a 20% Black Friday deal. Too good to pass up.

Thank you all for your help.

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