Looks like the post got deleted in the site move, so re-post with an abbreviated write-up. More or less finished up the enclosure for the Tormach. Didn't shoot a lot of photos as much of the work was cutting panels on the table saw. Made some swing-blocks from aluminum to hold the side panels up. The end panels slide in a dado cut into some polyethylene blocks. Needed something to hold them in the up position.
Faced some 1/2" aluminum for mounting blocks and swing-arm details
Aluminum was already radiused on one side, did the opposite side with a corner-rounding end mill
Drilling a 1/4" hinge pin hole in the swing arm
Drilling a 1/4" hinge pin hole in the mounting block
Components on the left, assembly on the right. Used 1/4" dowel pins for the hinge pins
Drilled the swing arm detail off-center by 0.020" so it had some clearance to the side rails in the "hold open" position.
Works great. Lift the side panel (weighs about 5 lbs.) and swing the arm in place to hold it open.
The previous owner of my Tormach had a MistAway coolant filter inside the enclosure. I mounted it using Creform tubing and brackets.
I added windows to the end panels and removed the diagonal bracing that ran from the rear vertical tubing to the front of the chip pan. I'd added bracing at the top to support the MistAway unit and lights which really stiffened up the enclosure. Will replace the green garden hose coolant feed line with either stainless braided hose or black garden hose (just for aesthetics).
The back panels are in two pieces and snap to the top rail. I didn't take a picture of the top panel, but it's a sheet of corrugated polycarbonate. It snaps to the top railing for easy removal.
Also did some power cord clean up. The 110/220 feeds to the machine are now at the Y-axis stepper making it more convenient to remove power (plugs were at the top of the machine). Still need to route shop air to the back of the mill.
I was going to build a low-profile cart that fits under the RH side of the mill from Creform tubing, but will more likely use a HF 16 x 30 cart and cut down the corner angles. I'll throw ancillary things like the 4th axis when not in use and some spare tool holders.
I had planned on making a power panel with switchable outlets to manually turn on/off the lights, MistAway (it's pretty loud), coolant tank bubbler, etc. Instead, went with some remote control outlets from Menards. It gives me 3 switchable 110's with the push of a button.
Still have a few more things to wrap up. I have a Millfast Products remote switch box that needs to be mounted and wired. Current plan is to mount it on the RH door frame.
Plan on moving the coolant wash-down hose from the back of the enclosure to the front. I currently have to reach to the back of the enclosure to get to the spray hose. Also need to troubleshoot for leaks. Everything is shingled so stuff hitting the side panels "should" manage back into the chip pan, but . . .
Thanks for looking, Bruce