INSTALLING A POWERFEED on the Bridgeport Mill #887 tubalcain

Although I do not recommend this item, here are the links to the VEVOR Power Feed.
Discount code: VVS10 (use this code to save 10$)

[walterplummer]

Good morning. Don't underestimate your appeal to anyone interested in shop work. Thanks for the videos.

[ggreenlee]

I don’t own a mill but I like this conversion. And your honesty.

[julianbenzaia]

Mr. Pete, you are so much more than just a “shop teacher”. The level of detail that you go into, and the information that you provide was never taught in any shop class that I attended. You are a gem. Thank you.

[ramv]

Hello Lyle,
These power feeds share a lot in common no mater where they are from. I have installed several over the last few years on various machines. I just recently installed one (from ALSGS, model AL-310S) for my Grizzly G0755 ( the G0755 was a tent sale - damaged purchase) So I have a few suggestions and recommendations for you.
#1, the 2 black springs left over are for the limit switch cover. They fit over the limit switch buttons and are carefully fitted into the limit switch cover. This keeps the cover centered and in place. It is a bit fiddly to install but works great.

#2, Pay attention to the limit switch cover that it does not rub on the mounting spacers. Some trimming of the cover back side may be required.

#3, Take a file and lengthen the top of the limit switch to table mounting slots as needed to to ensure the limit stops hit the switches perfectly centered.

#4, Lead screw modifications.. Occasionally an additional woodruff key will need to be cut to ensure the brass bevel gear has sufficient contact. This will also allow you to shorten the out side of the gear and move the manual handle in for a few more threads available.

#5, pick up a spare plastic driven gear (typically blue colored) These occasionally fail due to crash or over load and are very inexpensive.

#6, In the past where the DRO scale has to remain in front, I have made offset (downward) stops and a lowered limit switch bracket.

Now some travel rate (feed) specs on my last install....

19.5" (495mm) travel range...

Fast, 1 minute 6 seconds

Slow, 33 minutes, 16 seconds

Rapid, 47 seconds

Additional advice concerning travel over shoot. These do not have a rapid braking so at high rates of speed it is easy to over shoot by .75" (19mm) so pay attention to your max table travel and move the stops in towards the center accordingly. (another reason to keep a spare plastic shear gear on hand)

[ellieprice]

Good Morning Mr. Pete. I have the same unit on my Bridgeport with similar problems and a few differences. I finally had to replace the original Bridgeport unit when the circuit board shorted out. The speed control on yours is faulty beyond repair and the seller should send you a replacement and pay for return shipping. The problem on both units is bad potentiometers. Mine will completely stop and crawl at any speed with full torque but won’t repeat at the same setting after stopping and restarting.
I can live with mine but yours is definitely not acceptable. The factory is obviously not testing these units properly before shipment or they would have caught the variable feed problem.
With your exposure to the American market you should have no problem getting a replacement. Thanks again for all you do.

[desertschooner]

I have had one of those for several years never gotten around to installing it. I don't care to bother with the slow speed setting and having to use a dremel to achieve proper speed so I am going to leave it in the box of which it came. Great video, you saved me from some wasted work and time to install then have to remove it....

[FriedPi-mcyt]

There should be a trim pot or two inside the power feed that will let you adjust voltage to the motor. Mark the trim pots so you’ll know the original position of the screws and then adjust to get get the best balance between speed and torque.

[shane]

Mrpete, thanks for all your videos, . It already has a speed adjustment built in.
The black knob with the white line on it in front of the feed switch lever adjusts the speed of travel .

[leeroyholloway]

I've been considering one of these (or similar) for a long time. The installation video is very informative and will save some folks the heartache of ironing out the details. I was sold until the speed thing, now I might consider tracking down an original Bridgeport power feed and paying the price. Thanks for the presentation.

[willemvantsant]

Noticed the mark on the potentiometer was at about 11 o clock, you should be able to rotate ccw to stop the feed and turn cw to increase.
I have 2 power feeds very similar.
If you cannot stop the feed with the pot you have a problem

[jameslezak]

Hello Mr Pete, great video! I installed one of these on my Kingston mill a couple of years ago. Works great! A little less power than the one I replaced but much smoother and quieter. Old one had straight cut gears! I didn't install the switch and stops because of my x scale is also front mounted. In my 50+ years of machining I only used stops maybe a half dozen times!Thanks for your time and sharing! 👍😎✌️

[garfield]

Glad you were able to make it work.
So many of these import tools are 95% of the way there.
I hope they take your suggestions and improve.

If anyone else want to buy one of these Harbor Freight has a speed controller that should work.
Part number 59386, rated for 8 amps.

[rickeycallen]

Mark the gears up with a chalk pen to read the backlash on the brass worm gear, just like if you were setting the backlash on a ring gear and pinion in your cars rear end

[randydeboer]

I have same power feed that adapted to the Y axis on my mill and I can slow down to dead stop. you may want to check with them about that.

[Stefan_Boerjesson]

Only havibg a little suitcase sized lathe the video was entertaining.
Modifying the 1/8 inch woodruff key, preserving the conversion kit, was brilliant.
It's interesting to motorize the mini mill. Made it for the Mini lathe leadscrew.

[danmooney]

I installed a similar unit on my Precision Matthews mill, makes a world of difference not having to turn the crank! No complaints so far, been using it about 2 years.

[stripersniper]

I think the saying, you get what you pay for applies Mr Pete .
Thanks for the honest review.

[henrikskott]

I AIM to be a machinist, but I wouldn't call me one yet. I keep picking up all kinds of metal junk because it might be useful, and all machinists seem to be afflicted with that problem, but I'm still just learning to throw things out. A few years ago I would save everything except metal chips, now I throw anything smaller than about half an inch. Progress!

[thomasgiglio]

Mill up a nice rectangle spacer block to set the limit switch to the right distance for that mill. I love my power feed you will too, great video.

[trevorvanzelst]

Hi mrpete, I have watch your videos for years and always seem to learn something. I was thinking that maybe the knob for the speed adjustment is not installed on its shaft in the correct location? it may need to be loosened off and rotated on the shaft to allow for slower speed? Just thinking it may not have been assembled correctly in factory. Thanks.