Milling machine base

[Dimitris Polychronis]

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).


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.

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)



And 4 sleeves threaded M20 for the leveling feet



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.



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.

The base includes an electrical box.


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.

This 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.



As for the electrical hardware is a main switch, an hour meter and four schuko sockets


As for the connections, my friend Kostas came to help



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.

I made a hanger for the vise handle as well.

The approximate weight of the base is 110Kg



Regards from Greece
Dimitris