The Grape-vine

[TimHollis]

I was talking to my authorized Bridgeport parts dealer today, and when I asked about how the company was doing " they closed the production doors in CT, last week, Harig grinders will continue on its own, and they are shopping the name to a couple of buyers" If this is true, I'm saddened that a true icon is gone, just like the Camaro, is going, and OH GOD, a front wheel drive Monte Carlo, wasn't bad enough. Now I know I’m getting old, time was I wouldn't give a **** about such things.

 

Thanks

The Ex-pat

[limitless creativity]

Hardinge has agreed to mfg bridgeport mills along with parts at its elmira facility,

(From American Machinist)

 

Oh and I got one of the last Z-28's what a BLAST

 

Mike

[Michael Reynolds]

Thats bad news for CT, but good news for Elmira, which is part of my service area (I also used to work there). They make, in my opinion, the BEST toolroom lathes in the WORLD. I love Hardinge!!!!!!!

 

Mike R.

[TexasMillHand]

I once worked in a shop that the owner wouldnt spend a dollar on a Japaneese product. He bought a Bridgeport VMC, I think it was called a Torquecut. He almost blew a gasket when etched there on the way was "Made in Japan".

[TimHollis]

To: TexasMillHand

I know to well, that companies have to do their part to stay competitive. I finally went from the bottom of the food chain (maintenance) to the top (COO) running other peoples small companies (800 employees). Then I wanted to do my own, started with 12 grew to 80 employees. I learned things, they cannot teach you in school--40% of my customer base were fortune 1000 companies NOT PAYING THEIR BILLS ON TIME, and still calling to place orders for their out of USA production lines. More than once I found myself calling some CFO transplant from another country ( after accounting tried for 3 months) and telling him (I’m not producing for you till you pay and I am going to cut your molds in half after my lawyers get the judgment). You get to hang up the phone and reach in YOUR POCKET, to make the $ 36,500 payroll that week. All because Payroll, Suppliers, Rent and Utilities will not let you pay 60, 90, or in some cases 180 on $250,000. The small guys are smaller volume, but it was more personnel, and they were better payers--In the same boat I figure!! So then I said the *** with it, and relocated outside the USA to avoid supporting drug addicts having large families without the responsibilities. Now I get the benefit of a tax exemption to the tune of the 1st 80g and I still work for a USA Fortune 500 company, get to come home monthly, And the best part is I enjoy what I do best, taking it from my imagination to reality in a high volume manufacturing environment, where a exceptional salary is about $1000 US dollars a month. That’s 1/2 my weekly pay (NO TAXES 1st 80g). I live VERY WELL. Better now than I ever did at any time in the U.S. Because the company does what it has to, to survive in these times ( in a American Free Trade Zone). MADE IN JAPAN so what??? IT could have & should have said MADE IN THE USA, but that ball was started right after WWII long before me. And before you wave the Flag at me, I’m 8 years, US Navy, Nuclear Propulsion Submarine, till I picked up too many rad’s to go out to sea, shore command wasn’t for me, so I opted out. Now I save as much as I can, so I can come back permanently to retire while I am still alive. I don’t care were its made or comes from, but certain things should not change (I remember when Rockwell bought ALLEN/B industrial controls to keep Siemans Automation from purchasing them, but only after our Government promised certain contracts if they did so). Anyway—I’m still sad that an ICON is going, and good men with families, who believed in something and loved it as well, who were proud when asked, what they did, will find life completely different after this.

 

Thanks

The Ex-pat

[Toolfab]

Well said Tim.

[TimHollis]

Hello

Anybody who is looking for service and support on ANY Bridgeport CNC, should check out EMI. They picked up and transplanted some of the guys from Bridgeport, and picked up the entire remaining inventory for spare parts. Being so far away from home, I did an OMG, when I found out about Bridgeport closing. but these guys are friendly, answer technical questions, and even work through e-mail, something Bridgeport should have been doing all along. Also I was fortunate enough to get ALL the Manual’s for Bridgeport’s TC1, TC2, TC3. I have the factory Parts, Programmer’s, Operators, Maintenance, DX-32, books. If anybody every needs some info, e-mail me, and I will be happy to share what I have with you.

 

http://www.emi-inc.net/bridgeport/index.html

 

 

Thanks

The Expat