- Joined
- Apr 23, 2011
- Messages
- 2,476
Recently I had a job for my vertical mill that was just outside its working height above the table, so what to do?
I started with some 1/2" plate cut in to squares to suit the base of my mill where the column attaches, and cut the centre out of them so I could reach through to do up the bolts. I welded some 1/2 x 2'' strap on edge between the 2 plates, in effect making a spacer 3'' thick.
[attachimg=1]
I did consider making it thicker but didnt want the trouble of raising the z axis nut from the base as well, as currently at the top of travel the thread only has a small amount of engagment. It hasnt been a problem yet as I dont have much call for machining shim stock.
The lower set of bolts have nuts on the back and the upper set are tapped into the column. It was a pain to disassemble as I needed to unbolt the entire mill from the floor to reach the original base to column screws, but it did also allow me to run an underfloor supply to the mill and get that damm swinging lead out of sight.
I started with some 1/2" plate cut in to squares to suit the base of my mill where the column attaches, and cut the centre out of them so I could reach through to do up the bolts. I welded some 1/2 x 2'' strap on edge between the 2 plates, in effect making a spacer 3'' thick.
[attachimg=1]
I did consider making it thicker but didnt want the trouble of raising the z axis nut from the base as well, as currently at the top of travel the thread only has a small amount of engagment. It hasnt been a problem yet as I dont have much call for machining shim stock.
The lower set of bolts have nuts on the back and the upper set are tapped into the column. It was a pain to disassemble as I needed to unbolt the entire mill from the floor to reach the original base to column screws, but it did also allow me to run an underfloor supply to the mill and get that damm swinging lead out of sight.