Swivel the Belt Housing

Eric's Username · Jan 5, 2023

I have been wanting to swivel the belt housing on my Bridgeport series 1 as it would make for better operation in my shop.

After reading the manual from Hardinge, on the step "Swivel the Belt Housing" I find that it is not quite as simple as the three step instructions imply.

With all three locknuts loose, NOT removed, I find that the housing can wiggle back and forth, but does not seem to want to swivel.
I am curious if anyone has swiveled their Bridgeport belt housing and how tough it was. I do not want to try and force it as I am concerned it might get damaged.

Thanks!

plastikdreams · Jan 5, 2023

What the hell is swiveling the belt housing...

Eric's Username · Jan 5, 2023

Reference: Bridgeport series 1 manual, Page 2-14.

Eric's Username · Jan 6, 2023

https://www.hardinge.com/wp-content/uploads/KneeMill-Parts-Older.pdf

Booze Daily · Jan 6, 2023

The only place 3 locknuts are involved is for nodding the head. As in, tilt along the Y axis.
Loosen those nuts and use the big hex nut on the ram to tip up or down. Retighten bolts when done.

paulz · Jan 6, 2023

Booze Daily said:
The only place 3 locknuts are involved is for nodding the head. As in, tilt along the Y axis.
Loosen those nuts and use the big hex nut on the ram to tip up or down. Retighten bolts when done.

Not quite.

rons · Jan 7, 2023

Eric's Username said:
With all three locknuts loose, NOT removed, I find that the housing can wiggle back and forth, but does not seem to want to swivel.

I see what you are doing. Since the swivel point has been in the same position for a long time use something like liquid wrench.
Waiting on something like this is better than forcing it. Perhaps a few medium force taps with a block of wood. Tap upwards on
each bolt that has been backed off.

GaryLa · Jan 10, 2023

I talked to Hardinge (as the manual recommended) and the guy knew nothing about this. I gave up on it, but also felt the manual's drawings were wrong. It seems it should be the three bolts which are higher up. But then I cannot be sure of that.

I have seen a swiveled-head Bridgeport and thought nothing of it -- as in, I didn't ask how. But when it came time for me to do it, I couldn't get it to swivel per the manual. I got the same results as you described.

Perhaps looking at all of the castings would reveal the slotted area which allows for this swivel. I always thought it was between the aluminum belt housing and the last cast iron piece right before the aluminum belt housing, instead of the location shown in the maual. It too has three bolts, although not the ones described in the manual as "three locknuts".

Although rons suggesting of tapping upwards is worth a try.

GaryLa · Jan 10, 2023

Ok, so my curiosity was aroused once again and I decided to take my own advice.

It does appear to be the casting-to-aluminum interface, instead of the where the manual shows it.Unless I'm out of my mind on what part of the BP this is. Note that this also appears to be an older step-pulley housing and not a Varispeed. I don't know if that is the difference.

It's also briefly mentioned here: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/bridgeport-head-swap.169861/

rons · Jan 10, 2023

I think I was better off in the world not knowing about this...

GaryLa · Jan 10, 2023

BTW, the Hardinge guy did say he thought the speed at which it should be "run in" was the max spindle speed.

He didn't actually know that for a fact with respect to "swiveling the belt housing", but he said there are other operations they perform which require a similar functionality and they use the max speed.

aribert · Jan 10, 2023

My knowledge is limited to step belt heads - like in the image shown in post #9. I dismantled three step belt heads last year to repair my existing step belt head with (somewhat) better internals (I bought two motorless heads at auction). To loosen the aluminum bull gear housing from the cast iron mill casting, after loosening the (3) nuts, I gave the aluminum housing a loving tap or two with a big rawhide tipped hammer (probably 4 or 5 lb hammer).

On a step belt head, the motor/belt cover casting/gear housing could be clocked at most any position - as long as none of the T-headed bolts are not positioned over the bolt installation slot in the casting.

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