[Fast01]

I posted a while back that I took advantage of a deal Shoptask was running on "new" Tri-Power Bridgemills with the DRO and 3-axis CNC. This is a new machine, but is produced at their old factory in China. Not the new ISO facility the patriots are done in.

I took delivery a few weeks ago and got it somewhat uncrated. A serious injury (shattered femur) has kept me from really getting into it, but I can already see some updates have been done to the machine as compared to the posts, descriptions and pictures I have found of the "old" machines. The first thing I noticed was a lack of the old black plastic caps on the handles and levers. All of the handles are one piece, chromed with knurled ends instead of those caps everyone seems to hate. There is a spindle indexer on the lathe. The drawbar seem to be centered when it is tightened and the milling vice seems to be of much better quality than what I've seen previously. I can't wait to really tear into it and see if I'm gonna regret my purchase or if I'm gonna be pleasantly surprised as I have been thus far.

The only complaints I have so far are that I was supposed to get a compound tool post and I did not. I got a 4-tool turret type which may be a blessing if the compound is as useless as some have claimed it to be. There were also a few of the tools missing. John at Shoptask has assured me that this will be corrected. I will post updates as I get into the machine, but I'm a long way off from that. At least 2 months before I'll be able to start walking again. Its been 5 months already. I'm losing my mind!

I thank everyone in advance for your anticipated help and patience with all of the posts and questions I'm sure I will be posting as soon as I get into the thick of things!

[fastlanecafe]

Fast-
Keep us posted on how things work out. I missed out on the Patriot prototype, but as soon as I get my Quadra Lift sold, I am going to go with the Patriot or maybe one of the Tri Powers like you.

[Fast01]

I will be sure to keep you updated. I realized I posted "Patriot" in the title. It's not a Patriot, it's the old Tri-Power. I'll get some pics up as soon as I can get to my garage safely. We're covered in snow and ice right now and my garage is detached from the house, so I don't want to take the chance of falling and setting my healing process back.

[norvil1]

I will be sure to keep you updated. I realized I posted "Patriot" in the title. It's not a Patriot, it's the old Tri-Power. I'll get some pics up as soon as I can get to my garage safely. We're covered in snow and ice right now and my garage is detached from the house, so I don't want to take the chance of falling and setting my healing process back.

i have a tri-power i will give you, just to take this pos off of my hands.

[jsmithwe]

Where are you located. I can pick it up right away!

[norvil1]

hattiesburg,ms.

[jsmithwe]

I am in Weatherford Texas, and I can be there by mid afternoon tomorrow if you are serious. Is the machine in working condition?

[norvil1]

its 2 years old and less than 10 hrs on it. you can have the basic machine, i will keep the electronics and dro.

[jsmithwe]

If you email me your address and phone number, I will come and get it tomorrow. My email address is [email protected]

[sharpshooter90]

Jsmith
What happened? Did you get the machine? He offerred to give it away a couple times before but it was too far away for me to go- The original offer was the entire unit with CNC.

[jsmithwe]

Jsmith
What happened? Did you get the machine?

I am going to pick it up.

[sharpshooter90]

I am going to pick it up.

Whatever happened- was it a real deal?

[jsmithwe]

Yes, I went and picked it up. We took off the DRO and the servos and ball screws, and I brought the rest home. It was about 9 hours one way, but it was definately worth the effort. Thanks to norvil1!

[sharpshooter90]

Yes, I went and picked it up. We took off the DRO and the servos and ball screws, and I brought the rest home. It was about 9 hours one way, but it was definately worth the effort. Removing the servos and DRO is understandable, but the ball screws only fit this machine and he originally complained that they had too much backlash.

Wonder what the motivation was for that.

[flatheadford49]

Hey Guys,
Go over and take a look at Digitals rebuild thread. It's a real pleasure to read now that the moderator has thrown out the trash. Or in other words he got rid of the garbage you guys have been posting over there. Wish he would have cleaned up this whole forum and made it a pleasure to read also. But then that would mean deleting all your posts and banning you, Group Leader, and your wonderful Henchmen.

Good Luck
Flathead

[smallblock]

Hey Guys,
Go over and take a look at Digitals rebuild thread. It's a real pleasure to read now that the moderator has thrown out the trash. Wish he would have cleaned up this whole forum and made it a pleasure to read also.
Good Luck
Flathead

I gotta agree with you on this one. After all of Digital and Norvil's name calling was removed, the thread actually has some machinery content. However, after taking your suggestion and re-reading the whole thing, I notice that those pictures of the red machine look like they were taken from the Shopmaster website. I'm beginning to wonder if Digital actually has a machine or if he's just a plant.

[flatheadford49]

Why do you guys, meaning the Group Leader and your Henchmen, keep changing the words and meanings of legit posters quotes. What is in it for you. Are you getting paid to do this, or are there other reasons?

Again, Here is what I really said before you edited my post. ( post #83)

Hey Guys,
Go over and take a look at Digitals rebuild thread. It's a real pleasure to read now that the moderator has thrown out the trash. Or in other words he got rid of the garbage you guys have been posting over there. Wish he would have cleaned up this whole forum and made it a pleasure to read also. But then that would mean deleting all your posts and banning you, Group Leader, and your wonderful Henchmen.

Good Luck
Flathead

By the way you guys have been posting around here, your paycheck should look real good. You might be able to afford to buy a couple "dedicated units", as you guys call them.

And if I were you I wouldn't go back and throw more of your garbage around on Digitals thread. You might not be around much longer, I don't think the moderator is going to tolerate any more of your crap.

Good Luck
Flathead

[smallblock]

I would go back and throw more garbage around on Digitals thread.

Flathead

Digital says you don't even have a machine and wants some pictures as proof. For once I agree with him- you just materialized out of thin air claiming to have 4 machines, but never posted on any other threads about your big mill. C'mon we want pics, we want pics, we want pics.

[norvil1]

j smithwe: the serial # is 06189

[jsmithwe]

Thanks norvil1. See you Monday.