Re: Bridgeport - advice needed. Strange stand.
Yes, some Bridgeports and Bridgeport knock-offs have a hollow base that serves as a coolant reservoir. Is there a screen covering a hole in the top of the base? In general this Bridgeport looks like a fully fitted one with power table feeds in both axis and a power knee as well. The DRO (Digital Read Out) is a nice addition as well. The variable speed head is nice too although they are a little more complicated to service than the old belt drive models. If you are looking for a manual vertical milling machine this one LOOKS good to me. Whether or not all these options are working properly is impossible to say just by pictures. As far as the value goes so much depends on the condition of the ways and the screws and the functionality of the accessories that I hesitate to put a value on it but I would say if all is in working order it could be worth something between $7,500 and $10,000 US.
Moldmaker extraordinaire running many machines at B&D Machine, Inc. Tolland, CT.