So I was looking to build a a stand for my atlas. Obviously, scrap would be better than new for price. I was digging around at one of the reclaimed building materials stores and ran across this:
I think it's some kind of server case or perhaps medical equipment as the tag inside says "media mech" from Texas. Even has a serial number.
Thing is, its gotta weigh 200-300 lbs all on its own. 3 of us had to put a good effort it to lift it.
The tops are 1/8" steel and the structure is all box tube steel. Walls are all 1/8" steel welded to the box steel "skeleton".
Doors are sheet metal, but substantial all on their own. There's doors on both sides, one side is the steel ones you can see in the pic and dark smoked plexiglass doors on the other. The top is also supporter inside be for 1/8" stamped steel for each square section. That's 8 in total. I believe it was to support system for whatever equipment was bolted in there. There's also a built in power bar with its own remote switch and a slide out drawer on one side behind a second small flip down door labeled "keyboard".
Its a brute of a cabinet. Perfect!
Its also just the right length to fit the TH42 lathe.
I'll just cut the high part of the cabinet level with the lower section. Piece of cake size the tops at bolted on.
Just for extra strength, I'll likely add a section of box tube under the top, weld it all together and bolt the lathe to that just to keep it rigid.
Lastly, I'll add feet to the case that can be extended and leveled. That will allow me to roll the lathe around when needed and have it solidly on the floor when in place.
Cost?
75 bucks for the cabinet. I couldn't buy the steel to make it for that cheap. Heck, the heavy lockable casters and monstrous power bar would cost more than that!