I recently was called to repair a Bridgeport with a similar issue. His quill was getting very difficult to move. I removed the belt housing and the back gear housing as a assembly. Then the cradle for the quill downfeed drive was removed. Finally the micrometer quill stop.
I turned the quill housing on its side and tapped the quill out. Inspected it all but found nothing wrong. Cleaned it all up. Put the quill back in and it floated in the housing superbly.
Reassembled and it was good to go. A couple of hours work.
George Wroclawski Service Manager McDaniel Machinery Inc. Mobile : 1-205-937-2066
On Mon, Feb 10, 2025, 4:18?PM Art Beck via <beck.art=[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,
?
I have a Bridgeport Series 1 mill which I purchased new in 1974? (#172.064).? I later swapped the head for a 2J (#39231).? It has been inactive and in climate controlled storage for the past 20 years.? I am retired now and am re-activating this hobby machine.? LPS rust preventative was effective but challenging to remove.? All appears to be functioning as intended with the exception of the quill.? The quill is stuck in the up position.? It is possible that the previous quill lubricant has dried out causing the problem. About ?¡± of quill is exposed and lubricant had turned to a varnish like coating which I removed by applying solvent.
?
I took out the quill clockspring to expose the pinion but that was not enough.? How should I proceed to resolve this?? Will removal of the motor and head expose the quill and rack and pinion such that some loosening solvent can be applied?
