Just Purchased an MX-210 lathe and HiTorque 6500 Bench Mill

[ChazzC]

Thank you sir!

Does the TouchDRO adapter replace the existing DROs, or merely augment them?

The adapter plus an Android or Fire tablet replace the stock readouts. Since the existing scales are iGaging you will also need signal converters for each axis:

Adapter Accessories

Upgrade your milling machine or metal lathe with a powerful cutting-edge digital readout that’s both easy to install and budget-friendly. With TouchDRO you get superior capabilities, performance, and functionality unmatched by traditional DRO units.

store.touchdro.com

Yes, costs add up, but the TouchDRO system will allow you to sum the head & quill scales for the Z-Axis, and a lot of other things you won’t find elsewhere.

All of this assumes that the iGaging scales that are installed are the Stainless Steel “Absolute Plus” scales. If you have questions, you can post them in the https://www.hobby-machinist.com/forums/touchdro-the-diy-dro-project.542/ forum, or message @ycroosh (he is exceptionally approachable).

 

[FortyFivePalms]

I dunno about your neighborhood, If that wouldda turned up in my neighborhood today, I'd have bought it just to flip it, and it'd be gone by tomorrow...
Or maybe I'd have kept it all. Not really sure. But I for one will not second guess any decisions on size based on cost, availabilty, space, or other logistical troubles. Those are real, and as much as I hate to say it, those issues DO matter when it comes to your overall enjoyment of the tools. You got a good package there.

I have to admit that after doing more research it does appear that I got a pretty good deal.

I wouldn't hesitate to put those on wheels. Both are fairly small, and not overpowered machines, and they're mounted on a plate that's very well scaled to keep them under control. Sure, the wheels will allow the "whole bench" to have some reduction in their stability, but if you're not whooping on them, they're not gonna be shaking all over either. And when the whole thing moves as a unit, that's not what messes your day up. The rigidity within the machines themselves (where the part AND the tool are attached to, that's what does good work. These are a lot different than something which is six feet long....
Those tool chests will both (I believe) have been "roll cabs" that will have actual reinforced threaded caster mounting holes. I'd highly recommend that you take advantage of that for a clean and solid installation. It's gonna be an awakard PITA to get under there to find the thread size and hole spacing, but a heck of a lot easier than getting under there and customzinig...
If you're not sure if you're keeping them or not, that'll add value (or maybe not, but they'll sure sell quicker), and make your live better because probably (maybe not, probably) make a more conmfortable height to use them, and let you situate them while you figure out where it's all going to live on a permenant basis.

Good point about the machine stands essentially being rolling (bottom) cabinets with the wheels removed. I'm definitely leaning towards some sort of mobility solution. If not casters, then perhaps something like this:

Amazon.com

I'm picking up the tools on Tuesday, once they're in my tool room I'll give it some more thought.

 

[Jake M]

I'm definitely leaning towards some sort of mobility solution. If not casters, then perhaps something like this:

Amazon.com

I'm picking up the tools on Tuesday, once they're in my tool room I'll give it some more thought.

Those do work, even the cheapest of the cheap, and it's not a bad solution. You're not gonna put a lot of miles on 'em, and they sit pretty solid when they're down. While you're considering, look at the height of the cabinet and the height of the tools. Both the controls, and the work space. My suspicion (and that's all it is, suspicion) is that these are gonna be kind of low. You may want the extra height from "proper" casters. Or it's your tools and your arms, you may NOT want that. But do consider that just like a work bench, "any" height will work "fine", but it's an awful lot nicer if it's just the right height. a few inches can be a big difference.

 

[ChazzC]

Good point about the machine stands essentially being rolling (bottom) cabinets with the wheels removed. I'm definitely leaning towards some sort of mobility solution. If not casters, then perhaps something like this:

Amazon.com

While "Heavy Duty" and locking, those are more appropriate for wood working equipment rather than metal working machinery where you are going to want more stability.

I suggest looking at adding some cross-braces to the back of the cabinets and replacing the stock casters with something like these:

That James Clough used for his Avid CNC Rolling Cabinet Frame (which is another approach to consider):

While others have had issues with similar units, their casters were $60 per 4, rather than $60 each

 

[dabear3428]

I have to admit that after doing more research it does appear that I got a pretty good deal.

Good point about the machine stands essentially being rolling (bottom) cabinets with the wheels removed. I'm definitely leaning towards some sort of mobility solution. If not casters, then perhaps something like this:

Amazon.com

I'm picking up the tools on Tuesday, once they're in my tool room I'll give it some more thought.

you are deceiving yourself, what you got was no less than a smmmmmmmoking deal, BTW you suck.
congrats the accessories by themselves are worth a large portion of what you payed.

 

[dabear3428]

While "Heavy Duty" and locking, those are more appropriate for wood working equipment rather than metal working machinery where you are going to want more stability.

I suggest looking at adding some cross-braces to the back of the cabinets and replacing the stock casters with something like these:
View attachment 513913
That James Clough used for his Avid CNC Rolling Cabinet Frame (which is another approach to consider):

While others have had issues with similar units, their casters were $60 per 4, rather than $60 each

I'm one of the others, but i do not think the nylon pad under those would be satisfactory from a rigidity standpoint i'm planning on making some aluminum replacements for the foot pads on mine, and yes i got the $60 for a set kind but i do not think it will matter, as to clough42 using them under his cnc router, i'm happy with my AR8 pro router on the Axion rollers (not the included leveling feet) but a manual mill or lathe is a different animal.

 

[FortyFivePalms]

you are deceiving yourself, what you got was no less than a smmmmmmmoking deal, BTW you suck.
congrats the accessories by themselves are worth a large portion of what you payed.

Thank you.

Just trying to stay humble.