The Steel Guitar Forum

I posted earlier today on the Felder Owner's Group asking if anyone had or knew of Bridgeport Mills and South Bend Lathes available, preferably in the Northwest. Brian Lamb just got back with this.....

"Bob Johnson, a member on this forum just got a new to him lathe and I recall he has a bridgeport and maybe a lathe to sell, so contact him. Not sure if this will get truncated, but woodewe@earthlink.net "

Worth a shout? I'll post up any further possibilities should they arise.

Happy machine hunting,

Lance

check facebook market place for mills and lathes. here in atlanta, there are several bridgeport machines listed.

Thank you every one.
I will look at my wifes facebook /Market place. Thanks for the tip.

Lance is that Bob's email ? I will reach out .

Thank you,
Todd

Just noticed this...........Terrible for you and your family Todd. You have my deepest sympathies and sincerely hope everything will work out well for you in the end! Mike

Estacada-Bridgeport EZ Trak cnc 30 taper pristine series one variable speed head, $9k obo: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bridgeport-EZ- ... 3989465614

White City-Test 1U Mill with Bridgeport Head - Vertical and Horizontal, $4k https://www.ebay.com/itm/Test-1U-Mill-w ... 2220682246

I'm a builder, not a machinist, but have many friends who are, even if in a hobbyist capacity. For mills, R8 or #30 or #40 tool holder preference? What X, Y and Z capacity? Manual or CNC?

Basic or more full featured lathe? Size?

If confident the machines would suit and be in good order, would you consider having them shipped in?

Approximate expected budget for machines? Single or 3-phase? Many of my woodworking and metalworking machinist friends have been using Phase Perfect converters for 3-phase https://www.phasetechnologies.com/produ ... se-perfect and would never go back to rotary converters. If mill capacity doesn't exceed 20 3/8" x 8 1/4", a good mill/drill option which would take up less shop space might be a Rong Fu https://www.rongfu.com/category-milling ... chine.html David Best in Portland is intimately familiar with Rong Fu and Phase Perfect equipment, and, if either or both are of interest, I can put you in touch..., he's a wealth of information.

I'm seeking other machines in your area. Knowing your requirements will help narrow the search.

On the hunt,

Lance

Todd,

Robert Johnson just replied at the Felder forum:

"Thanks Brian and yes I have a BP for sale. The lathe may be too, but likely is a restoration candidate. I did not respond as I am flat on my back following ankle fusion and won't be on my feet for several months. Have the fellow e-mail me at woodewe@EarthLink.net as Brian suggested"

Lance

Dear Todd,

Glad to hear you and the family are alive and well. And so good to read of your positive attitude. You have done so much for the steel guitar community. Wishing you and yours all the best.

Sincerely,

Bob

Hi Todd, sorry to hear what happened but I'm happy you, your family and animals are all safe.

I wish you a quick return to business and a shop you will love.

You make the best guitars! We need you!

Todd

I have Birdseye maple to send you when you're ready and deliveries can be made. Loving the D-10, thanks so much. Dw

Just read this Todd. My prayers go out to you and family. Your super positive attitude is an inspiration!

Good luck Todd. You're a real inspiration as a luthier. I gave a bit in the GoFundMe. I'll order a bar soon.

Thank you everyone once again for your concerns, well wishes and for reaching out. The GoFund me Mike created is just amazing. It is hard to comprehend the reality of this outreaching support. I am thinking of ways to pay some of this forward when I get back on my feet.

I have found a few mills to choose from, all are across the west, but I am glad I have found some with in the west. Thanks Lance for your link to Bob. I have contacted him and discussing the mill he has.

I am just looking for your basic Bridgeport. A manual J head . DRO and power feed would be pluses. 1 - 1.5 H.P, R8. More tooling the better. Or just a machine with a vice would get me started. Single or 3 phase is fine as I can get a VHD or converter to single.
For a lathe, a tight 10L South Bend would be more than enough machine for my needs. Would consider a 10k or 9 as well. For both machines, something that was not in the war
is preferred unless it was rebuilt. Some of the tool dealers out there scare me as there are so many repaint and flip dealers out there . I'd rather not buy overseas mills or lathes as the Old American Iron is serviceable and built tough, dependable ect.
Thank you,
Todd

Todd Clinesmith wrote:Thank you everyone once again for your concerns, well wishes and for reaching out. The GoFund me Mike created is just amazing. It is hard to comprehend the reality of this outreaching support. I am thinking of ways to pay some of this forward when I get back on my feet.

You already do, brother.

Hey Todd

As someone with a strong interest in making really nice instruments, you've been a big inspiration. The Bigsby instruments have always been standards of beauty and perfection for me and the fact that you match those standards has always been really impressive.

Looking forward to seeing you up and running again.

Hi Todd,

I sent an email to you through the forum yesterday about a long-shot lathe, so as not to clutter your thread with machinery posts. Received?

Anyway, last night an entire new avenue of pursuit for machines in Oregon occurred to me which I'll gladly follow up on if you've yet to find what you're looking for. How's it going?

All the best,

Lance

Thanks Paul and Lance,
Lance, I did get your email. I will try and return it this evening if not in the A.M. I have not found a lathe to my liking yet. Some of the early South Bends and Bridgeports scare me a bit, as they were wartime machines and probably ran 24/7.

Once again, Thanks every one for the support and well wishes. I wanted to let folks know we were OK and that we are on the rebound. The support that generated from this has amazed me. Still kinda speechless, but working on a remedy for that.

I'll post some positive news in the up coming weeks on a new thread. I am getting closer each day. If Brad or b0b read this , the thread can be closed . Forward !!

Thank you,
Todd