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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
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    53
    Posts
    1,010

    Default Levelling a turret mill - suggestions ?

    Hi All,
    We put my Turret Mill into place yesterday at work. I checked the table with a Level and it's out a bit, but not massively. I've had a bit of a look online and I found a video on YouTube where the guy is using some screws that are in the threads of the machines base https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFDuSUjr7Io . I looked at the threads in my base and with a quick measurement they appear to be M20 and the thread is about 30mm long. I looked at Levelling Feet and found these on eBay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Leveling...-/272625382125 another option I thought of is just put some sheet metal shims under it ie 0.9mm, 1.2mm .
    I don't want to bolt it down. I am a bit height restricted, because where we put the Mill is under a Mezzanine but there's enough room to put levelling feet like in the link under the base. What have you guys done to level your Turret Mills ?.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    I just used shim

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Townsville, Tropical Nth Qld.
    Posts
    225

    Default

    I raised mine up by 100mm on hardwood blocks I machined up and then shimmed it with sheet steel. I hate bending over machines. I realise your situation is different though.
    Rgds,
    Crocy.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    unless you are setting up workpieces using a level, you do not need to level them.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    The coolant flows from the chip filled t slots to the outlet better if you give it a bit of a downhill run.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    Whilst my mill is a fly weight compared to most, I sat mine on a square of 1/2" thick rubber conveyor belting, the high spots mould into the rubber, the net result is that it doesn't rock and is dead level !
    Well within about 5 mm or so But then I'm on a ceramic tile floor.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,010

    Default

    Thanks for the replies Guys. I agree RC, that they don't need to be levelled as they have a solid base that doesn't move cause movement unlike a lathe's base. It's more a personal preference that the table is reasonably level. My mills table has a coolant outlet on each backside end of the table so the coolant flow shouldn't be an issue. Although the screws like the video would be more accurate, but thats only basically the end of a 20mm bolt sitting on the floor where as I'd rather the base sit on the floor so I'll go with the gal sheet metal for shims. The table height seems ok so I don't think I need to raise it up, but I haven't got to use it yet as I'm waiting for the electrician to move wire it up for me. I'm looking forward to doing some projects with it. Cheers guys
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Dandenong
    Posts
    76

    Default

    I definitely wouldn't be using off the shelf feet with a large mill, you decrease the contact area of the mass which is the most important aspect with a big mill. As others have pointed out, levelling with hard sheet and rubber would give excellent results and help dampen vibration greatly.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,010

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by aarggh View Post
    I definitely wouldn't be using off the shelf feet with a large mill, you decrease the contact area of the mass which is the most important aspect with a big mill. As others have pointed out, levelling with hard sheet and rubber would give excellent results and help dampen vibration greatly.
    Actually no the machine feet would actually increase the contact area. The BM-20E mill that I have has a base like the BM-30A so the contact area is only on the corners and this is about 100mm each way and it's about 12mm thick. The link to the machine feet I had in the thread showed two diameter sizes for M20 threads which were 160mm and 185mm and either one of them has a greater surface area that the contact points of the mill's base. I'm going with sheet metal shims at the moment, just waiting for the local welding shop to cut a variety of thickness for me. If there's vibration with them I'll try some insertion rubber under them and see how it goes. I've erred away from the machine feet at the moment, because both I'm trying to keep the height down and I don't really want to spend $300 if I don't have too.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Stewart, Guys,

    Based on your post, I would definitely go for some 1/2" inch thick conveyor belting ! It will support the whole of the edge of the base, and once settled the machine will be completely stable. I got my conveyor belt from the scrap yard, they have miles of the stuff some of it 2 Mt wide, nearly all of it is 1/2" inch thick, some is 3/4" inch ! It didn't cost me anything other than time to cut a piece off a roll.

    I used a straight length of steel as a guide and a Stanley knife to cut it. It took several goes because you have to cut through the reinforcing fibres between the layers. Mine has two layers of it. Use a wet knife blade as well, it makes it easier to cut. I used a soaked cloth to wet both the knife blade and run into the cut.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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