Bridgeport Knee Mill maintenance

• the Bridgeport requires
• lubrication of the spindle feed
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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)

Bridgeport mill maintenance log table

oil spindle feed	oil quill	grease backgears	oil ways	tram head	stone table	date completed	person completing
2x weekly when in use	weekly	6month interval	monthly	yearly