I've been thinking of buying a Bridgeport for some tome know. As an amateur machinist what models should I look out for and what are the most common faults I'm likely to see.
What's the ballpark price for one in usable condition?
Cheers!

Pretty much indestructible.
Noisy bearings in the head, snapped belt are about the only real problems you could come across, but the bearings will remain noisy for about 10 years with occasional use, depends if its a hobby machine or a daily 9-5 machine.
Anything electric could give problems such as DRO, traverse controls, but again its all very basic and most sparkies can sort them out easy enough.

Prices vary so much as the age and condition (or rather appearance) span so much. You can pick them up for a few hundred, but a later model with DRO and traverse would be a couple of grand. it really depends whats for sale local to you.
Infact when we bought ours the cost of moving it in and getting the 3 phase connected was more than the cost of the mill. Then you need tooling, clamps, tapers etc.

[Edited on 25/7/13 by balidey]

I think my dad paid about £800 for a 1965 model in decent usable nick with a few things to sort out (coolant pump was the big thing - turnned out it was just full of crud) - I don't think it had too hard a life, we were told it came from the coke factory in glasgow


I really need to find the time to learn how to use it - I had a couple of hours on a cheap spanish copy of one at uni, but that was more than 10 years ago

I wouldn't describe any machine tool as indestructible, Bridgeports suffer from all the usual wear and tear associated with industrial use and a lot are worn out.
Due to the design, heads have a tendency to 'nod' with wear which throws the cutting tool out of square with the bed.

Al.

Hmm I agree. I have a bridgeport belt head on my mill and spent quite a bit getting it in good order. The splines can wear on the quill causing a dreadful racket. The good thing is that bits are easily available right up to complete new heads.

I would buy the best you can afford

If i was in the market for a miller it would be one of these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Used-Cincinatti-Toolmaster-Milling-Machine-/221256545294?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3383eaf40e

Al