Unloading A Bridgeport Mill - The Hard Way 

Now those are some words to live by! Thanks for tuning in... We will be posting the rebuild of this mill in our next few videos. Consider subscribing if you would like to follow along!

Thank you!

Hah! Do I collect my sketchy award from OSHA?

Thank you! It was a 2x6, but I agree safer is always better.

@@RocanMotor At the 2:26 mark, isn't' that a 2x4 on the left side as a temporary support while you restack bricks? I work wood almost exclusively and not metal...glad you 'survived' that move but I must admit it was looking a bit sketchy at times.

​@@johngrace199 You are absolutely right- and immediately after doing so I recognized my lack of self preservation and swapped it with a slightly stronger 2x6 board- still, regardless, a terrible idea. Each corner weighs roughly ~625lbs, so any amount of load shift could have ended very badly. What this timelapse doesn't capture is just how slow this process was. It really was well controlled given how slowly the load was moved about. Additionally, throughout the entire drop, I kept the engine hoist tensioned with two T slots and heavy chain, which theoretically could support the load alone, albeit in a way that may damage the ways. On top of all- I have a rule when moving any heavy machinery- If it goes, get the hell out of the way. Metal can be fixed far more easily than bone and tissue. I appreciate you tuning in! If you're interested, we disassemble and clean the Bridgeport in a later video. Be sure to subscribe to catch the re-assembly video which should be out in a couple of weeks.

@@RocanMotor At least you weren't hurt...those are typically the worse lessons learned.

Thank you Ed!

Thank you for the kind words.

Thank you!

I'll be sure to check it out! A hydraulic trailer is a much better idea. When the chance came up to grab the mill, I had a small window for pickup and figured "what the heck, I'll rent a forklift when I get home to unload it". Then about 10 minutes after getting it home, I figured I could get it down with a few hours of effort. Live and learn.

I tried this, but with the trailer on its axle it was still not low enough to get my engine hoist on. Otherwise, I agree entirely. Next time id rent a liftbed trailer, use a gantry, or rent a forklift.

@@RocanMotor Hats off to you for indignity and effort. How is the Bridgeport working out for you? I am starting my shopping for one now and thats what lead me to you here.

@@zulubravo9434 thank you for your kind words! I've got it back together, and another video in the works! Its a fairly worn machine, so some shimming of the gibs was required, but for the uses I have planned should treat me well. The head still needs going through- that will be a video of it's own. I'm in the process of building my own business, Rocan Motor Company, so production has been slow as we get everything setup. I'd love it if you check out some of our other videos, and subscribe to follow along. We are growing quickly, acquiring cnc and manual machines alike, most of which need a restoration before being put back into service. Having people like yourself engaging is really encouraging. Thank you!

@@RocanMotor Will do, and good luck with the business.

This is true! Excellent point to discuss. I took this into consideration but decided the distributed weight of the mill is nowhere near the failure of the concrete. There's maybe, conservatively, 200psi of load being applied through the beams into the concrete, and they're directly in compression.

@@RocanMotor yes. It was clear you were acting with caution and consideration. I think your approach was just about as good as could have been done considering the circumstances.

@@jamespayne8781 I appreciate that! I avoid doing sketchy operations as much as possible, but if I have no other options I do so as carefully as possible. Doing this comes with the acceptance that if it goes sideways (literally and figuratively), you just get out of the way and fix whats broken later.

@@RocanMotor I have a fair number of machine tools in my little shop. One is a series 1 Bridgeport similar to yours but much older. It’s and old round ram fitted with a J head. I’ve moved it around several times as I made changes to the shop area. Some of the other machines are up in the 3000 to 4000 pound weight. I try not to move them anymore. Once I realized I was going to be regularly dealing with machines that could kill me I decided to acquire the kind of support machines that would let me do the moves safely. They include an ancient Baker 4K forklift (rough terrain) and several overhead cranes. I’ve made temporary cranes using various heights of scaffolding from my contracting business. I picked up a 12 foot length of heavy I beam from a scrap yard and a 6 ton chain hoist and trolley from the popular Chinese imports outlet. Those pieces can be assembled and disassembled where and when needed. The I beam is held to the top tube of the scaffolding with U bolts. When disassembled it takes up very little room. It does allow me to move dangerously heavy weight when I need too.

@@jamespayne8781 excellent suggestion! I've been looking at getting a gantry and forklift lately. I have acquired numerous 15,000lb skates, a toe jack, slings and a lot of other rigging equipment since this video was taken. Later this month I have an 8000lb cnc lathe coming in, so it was time.

With a big enough lever I can move the world! Haha, thanks for the laugh.

It was done in a controlled fashion without exceeding any load capacities. But I agree, a forklift would be better.