Dimensions of the long drawbar for Bridgeport mill

[Andy H]

Hi I need a long drawbar to use a horizontal milling attachment on my Bridgeport mill.
Has anyone got a long drawbar for sale
Or could someone please let me know the length of the hexagon part at the top so I can make a drawbar. It is not easy to work out.
Thanks

[carl_byrne]

It's equal to the original length plus the depth of the socket in the angle head. I am guessing this is around 3 - 4". It should be easy to measure.

Cheers Carl.

[Malc-Y]

When I first got my horizontal attachment I found that the drawbar disappeared into the spindle when the quill was lowered so I found a 3/4"AF socket and found that it was very slightly too big to go down inside the spindle! I put the socket in the lathe and reduced the outside diameter until it would fit inside the spindle and with an extension piece and a T-bar the problem was solved. The socket I used was an old Britool one (I have several) and was surprised at how easily it was to turn down, very little has to be turned of the get it to fit and the socket is not significantly weakened. That socket now stays with the Bridgeport and isn't used for anything else!

Malc

[chris w]

yes I did the same, just made an extended socket to reach down with the quill lowered,
chris.