Leveling feet/Casters for Bridgeport Mill

I recently struggled with how I might lift my newly acquired Bridgeport off its pallet and move it into position in my garage. After much thought and advice, I decided it was too heavy to lift with my engine hoist and too tall to do it with my car lift.

I finally solved the problem by sliding the back off the pallet and mounting leveling feet/casters, then continuing to slide it until the front of the mill was almost clear of the pallet. Then I blocked it up, pulled the pallet out, and mounted the front feet/casters. This also fixed the issue of a substantial slope in my garage floor near the walls.

H&W Machine sells a $350 kit that uses solid bars across under the front and back of the machine, with leveling feet at the ends. My approach was similar, but I used 5" x 2" 1/4" wall rectangular tubing with leveling feet that have integral casters. Since the machine is now 7" taller, I bought a 7" high work platform. The stability is increased with the wider stance.

Attachment 39361 Attachment 39363 Attachment 39362 Attachment 39364

<!-- BEGIN /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->
Thanks tmate3! We've added your Leveling Casters to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: tmate3's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-leveling-casters"> <img src="/uploads/248737/homemade-leveling-casters.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-leveling-casters">Leveling Casters</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/tmate3">tmate3</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/level'>level</a>, <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/mill'>mill</a>, <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/casters'>caster(s)</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->

I used this principle and it works well with levelling a 6ft mower deck on an out front and midmount tractor being able to adjust the mounting/hangers.

I can't see how it could be "too tall" for your car lift to get it off the pallet. Surely the lift can be held at a height between lowest and highest positions. What am I missing?

BTW, what is the mass of the Bridgeport? And would you please provide the particulars on the casters with levelling feet? I am hoping they can help solve a conundrum with my own uneven shop floor. Thank you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by black echo

I can't see how it could be "too tall" for your car lift to get it off the pallet. Surely the lift can be held at a height between lowest and highest positions. What am I missing?

BTW, what is the mass of the Bridgeport? And would you please provide the particulars on the casters with levelling feet? I am hoping they can help solve a conundrum with my own uneven shop floor. Thank you.

---

The lift goes up to about 72". If I lower it enough to raise something 7" it is too low to lift the mill by straps around the ram.

The casters (CarryMaster ALC-1000FB) solved the problem for me. They raised the mill 7", so I bought a 7" high work platform.

Bridgeport weighs 2,000 lbs.

Attachment 39403

[QUOTE=tmate3;179855]I recently struggled with how I might lift my newly acquired Bridgeport off its pallet and move it into position in my garage. After much thought and advice, I decided it was too heavy to lift with my engine hoist and too tall to do it with my car lift.

Hey - interesting Idea - was about to hire riggers to move my mill into an enlarged shop area, and then buy leveling feet - this would do both. The feet are in my cart at Zambus - thanks!

I might try and make up a frame to only lift the mill an inch or so - will post it here if it works!