Bridgeport High Speed Spindle

[bbutcher85]

I have converted my Bridgeport Mill to a 4 axis CNC machine. It is a belt drive J-Head machine, and the maximum spindle speed is 2720 RPM. This is adequate for many jobs, but when engraving or cutting with small diameter end mills, it is not possible to get the SFM high enough, and the feed rate must be limited to a snails pace to avoid breaking tools. I have wished for higher speeds, and have now found a solution. I purchased a high speed water cooled spindle on Ebay (2.2 kW, 24,000 RPM maximum) and mounted it onto my existing quill. The new spindle travels up and down (Z-axis) with the original quill. It is offset about 5 inches on the X-axis from the center-line of the Bridgeport quill, and can be installed quickly when needed. It does limit the Z-axis travel a bit, but that is not an issue for many parts I make.
The installation requires two new parts, in addition to the spindle kit which includes the spindle motor clamp. A quill clamp was fabricated and bored for a close fit onto the Bridgeport quill. It is split and has two 1/4-20 socket head screws to tighten in place, plus a third 1/4-20 screw to allow forcing the clamp open for easier installation. A spacer plate was fabricated and drilled to mount onto the quill clamp, and to accept the 8MM mounting bolts attaching the new high speed spindle motor. The spacer plate thickness is adjusted to provide clearance between the new high speed spindle motor and existing Bridgeport hardware. The manual handle is removed from the Bridgeport when using the new spindle.
I plan to post more details on the CNC conversion at a later date.

CAD Model of assembly


CAD Model of Quill clamp


CAD model of spacer


CAD model of high speed spindle clamp












TAGS: CNC, Bridgeport, Milling Machine

[DIYer]

Thanks bbutcher85! We've added your Bridgeport High Speed Spindle to our Milling category,
as well as to your builder page: bbutcher85's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Bridgeport High Speed Spindle by bbutcher85

tags: mill, spindle

[basil3w]

Nice touch!

[tonyfoale]

I did much the same to my mill. It is a great aid for small cutters such as used for PCB milling and engraving.

Click on images for full size.

The bit off to the left is for the Z drive to the quill.

[Saltfever]

Nice idea adding that "spreader" screw. You must have been looking as some different spindles. Care to post some information on why you picked the unit you did. Could machine coolant be used as your "water" medium?

[Jon]

Congratulations bbutcher85 - your Bridgeport High Speed Spindle is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

Nice work and CAD documentation, and I can see you've already posted about the CNC conversion here.

Some more good builds from this week:

Tape Measure Inside Measuring Attachment by rgsparber
Rotary Laser Engraver by MachineNZ
Magnetic Welding Holder by orioncons36
Log Holder by Andrii Pysarenko
Lathe Milling Attachment by skimen ruslan
Round Stock Center Drilling Setup by engineer steve
Gate Latch by orioncons36
Altitude Pressure Switch Plug Removal Tool by 737mechanic
Right Angle Clamping Fixture by Didpoolhall
Battery-Powered Table Saw by fawabros
Tap Holder by skimen ruslan

bbutcher85 - we've added your tool entry to our All Homemade Tool of the Week winners post. And, you'll now notice the wrench-on-pedestal award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:



You've also been granted free lifetime Supporting Member status, which means you can now access all of the tool plans and tool ebooks in our Supporters Forum (thanks to mklotz for that idea). And you'll now notice the Supporters award in the awards showcase in your postbit:



You'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon (US-only), PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and award choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

Nice work!