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Thread: Milling machine base

  1. #1
    Supporting Member Dimitris Polychronis's Avatar
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    Milling machine base

    Hello everyone,

    Recently I bought a milling machine which is an upgrade for my small shop; the mill is big enough for the shop (6.2 square meters) so it raised the problem of where could I put it without being an obstacle when I want to work on my jeweler's bench or on my lathe. The solution was the use of casters on the machine's base, but finding a base for the machine was a problem since the company where I bought the mill hadn't any. After searching I found a base for a similar size milling machine, but due to the cost plus the conversions that had to be done I decided it would be better to build one.

    I took all the necessary measurements based on the dimensions of the mill and then I bought a set of heavy-duty castors (max. load 200kg/wheel).

    Milling machine base-p1140795.jpg
    The total height of the castors is 9.5cm

    While I was sketching the base, I received a gift from a friend - a nice set of leveling feet.

    Milling machine base-p1140879.jpg Milling machine base-p1140880.jpg With a good cleaning and some paint they look like new

    In order to adapt the castors for the base I made in total 16 sleeves of these (threaded M8)

    Milling machine base-p1140881.jpg

    And 4 sleeves threaded M20 for the leveling feet

    Milling machine base-p1140882.jpg Milling machine base-p1140883.jpg

    For the construction of the base, I used square steel tube 40x40x3mm. Now because I do not have a welding machine neither the necessary space for such constructions, I asked a friend to help me build the base.

    The base consists of 2 horizontal frames (top and bottom) and 7 columns. The dimensions are:
    Upper frame 50x54cm length/width, reinforced with 2 cross beams
    Bottom frame 70x54cm length/width, reinforced in the inner corners with beams placed at a 45 degree angle
    The columns are 68cm in height.

    Milling machine base-p1140884.jpg Milling machine base-p1140885.jpg

    The perimeter and the bottom inside of base were covered with sheet metal 1.5mm thick, for the top I used a 5mm thick steel sheet.

    Milling machine base-p1140886.jpg Milling machine base-p1140887.jpgThe base includes an electrical box.

    Milling machine base-p1140889.jpg
    The sleeves for mounting the castors are welded from the inside of the frame; the sleeves for the leveling feet are welded at both ends.

    Milling machine base-p1140905.jpg Milling machine base-p1140905a.jpgThis picture shows the cross beams of the upper frame.

    Glass reinforced plastic hinges and aluminum handle for the door of the base cabinet. A 2mm thick steel sheet was used for the door as well for the removable chip trays. The base measures in total H86xW70xD54cm.

    Milling machine base-p1140924.jpg Milling machine base-p1140925.jpg Milling machine base-p1140926.jpg Milling machine base-p1140927.jpg Milling machine base-p1140930.jpg Milling machine base-p1140944.jpg Milling machine base-p1140945.jpg

    As for the electrical hardware is a main switch, an hour meter and four schuko sockets
    Milling machine base-p1140946.jpg Milling machine base-p1140947.jpg Milling machine base-p1140949.jpg Milling machine base-p1140953.jpg

    As for the connections, my friend Kostas came to help

    Milling machine base-p1150094.jpg Milling machine base-p1150107.jpg

    For the cabinet I made four drawers. These are on ball bearing rails. The bottom drawer has two sets of rails as extra support for the heavier tools of the mill such as a rotary table, vises, clamps etc.

    Milling machine base-p1140954.jpg Milling machine base-p1150108.jpgI made a hanger for the vise handle as well.

    Milling machine base-p1150145.jpg Milling machine base-p1150143.jpg Milling machine base-p1150136.jpgThe approximate weight of the base is 110Kg

    Milling machine base-p1150135.jpg Milling machine base-p1150139.jpg Milling machine base-p1150148.jpg Milling machine base-p1150782.jpg

    Regards from Greece
    Dimitris

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    Last edited by Dimitris Polychronis; May 15, 2021 at 05:22 PM.

  2. The Following 13 Users Say Thank You to Dimitris Polychronis For This Useful Post:

    alba_125 (May 24, 2021), anthonyget (May 16, 2021), asterix (May 23, 2021), butlerandrew (Aug 1, 2023), Duke_of_URL (May 24, 2021), e_m_maker (May 16, 2021), Frank S (May 16, 2021), Jon (May 15, 2021), NortonDommi (May 16, 2021), PJs (May 15, 2021), Scotsman Hosie (May 18, 2021), Toolmaker51 (May 23, 2021), Tule (May 24, 2021)

  3. #2
    Supporting Member Frank S's Avatar
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    Frank S's Tools
    Very nice looking bench/ cabinet, well thought out and even better construction.
    The electrical panel with extra outlets is a real good feature however the hour meter gets the golden crown in my book
    All new machines should arrive from the manufacture with hour meters built right in

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    Never try to tell me it can't be done
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  4. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Frank S For This Useful Post:

    anthonyget (May 16, 2021), Dimitris Polychronis (May 16, 2021), NortonDommi (May 16, 2021), Scotsman Hosie (May 18, 2021)

  5. #3
    Supporting Member Dimitris Polychronis's Avatar
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    I agree with you, all machines from manufacture should have an hour meter built in. Thank you very much for your comment!

    All the best
    Dimitris

  6. #4
    Supporting Member anthonyget's Avatar
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    As usual, an beautifully crafted piece of work. Congratulations.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to anthonyget For This Useful Post:

    Dimitris Polychronis (May 16, 2021)

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    Supporting Member jdurand's Avatar
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    I'd hook the hour meter to the motor as that's what really matters. I could see lunch breaks, power on for setup lights, etc. giving false hour readings.

  9. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to jdurand For This Useful Post:

    Dimitris Polychronis (May 16, 2021), Scotsman Hosie (May 18, 2021)

  10. #6
    Supporting Member Dimitris Polychronis's Avatar
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    Glad to hear that you like it. Thank you for the comment!

    All the best
    Last edited by Dimitris Polychronis; May 16, 2021 at 09:24 PM.

  11. #7
    Supporting Member Dimitris Polychronis's Avatar
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    Thank you for the comment! The hour meter is connected it to the motor, so it counts only when it starts running.

    Regard
    Dimitris

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    Thanks Dimitris Polychronis! We've added your Milling Machine Base to our Storage and Organization category,
    as well as to your builder page: Dimitris Polychronis's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:




  13. The Following User Says Thank You to DIYer For This Useful Post:

    Dimitris Polychronis (May 17, 2021)

  14. #9

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    Very similar to one which I built for my milling machine in 2019.





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