Milling machine sled ideas wanted.

[JMS1972]

I have a medium sized milling machine I'd like to be easy to move. It's one of These

4 heavy duty castors are available and was thinking of some sort of cradle with a perimeter frame for the castors.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[James1979]

A low wide c of g is needed. I did this with my steel rack so I can move it about. This is the side view but you get the idea?

can take more pics if you want.

mine was 80x50x3 box as that’s what I had.

or build a frame with fork pockets on and buy a pump truck. Mine is one of the most used bits of kit in the workshop even though I can nick my neighbours load all when I need to.

 

[tflnemesis]

Would some sort of jacking mechanism to lower frame to floor once moved be useful? Less likely to move when in use?
I have no idea if this is any help but it seems like a good idea to me as you are still in design stage.
Following with interest.

 

[James1979]

Thats a good idea. Or even levelling bolts would do it. Just to take the weight in the corners and level it out.

 

[WvW]

I'm trying this approach with levelling castors, noting its not finished yet (as you can tell).

 

[JMS1972]

A low wide c of g is needed. I did this with my steel rack so I can move it about. This is the side view but you get the idea?

can take more pics if you want.

mine was 80x50x3 box as that’s what I had.
View attachment 294392

or build a frame with fork pockets on and buy a pump truck. Mine is one of the most used bits of kit in the workshop even though I can nick my neighbours load all when I need to.

That's sort of what I was thinking if you have a pic that would be helpful.

I'm struggling for space - it's a single car garage so pump truck is a non starter.

Thanks

 

[Hood]

If possible I would have a frame with castors sitting slightly above the mill. I would have bolts through the holes in the base and welded to large washers underneath or better still a complete plate the size of the base. When I wanted to move I would tighten nuts thus lifting the mill to the frame and then once in place slacken to lower.

 

[JMS1972]

Would some sort of jacking mechanism to lower frame to floor once moved be useful? Less likely to move when in use?
I have no idea if this is any help but it seems like a good idea to me as you are still in design stage.
Following with interest.

The machine has four holes for levelling feet so I could use big bolts in those. I need to figure how to float the mill in mid air whilst fitting the cradle so they could work double duty....

 

[JMS1972]

Would some sort of jacking mechanism to lower frame to floor once moved be useful? Less likely to move when in use?
I have no idea if this is any help but it seems like a good idea to me as you are still in design stage.
Following with interest.

The machine has four holes for levelling feet so I could use big bolts in those. I need to figure how to float the mill in mid air whilst fitting the cradle so they could work double duty

If possible I would have a frame with castors sitting slightly above the mill. I would have bolts through the holes in the base and welded to large washers underneath or better still a complete plate the size of the base. When I wanted to move I would tighten nuts thus lifting the mill to the frame and then once in place slacken to lower.

That's a good idea. Probably need fine pitch bolts as is a heavy beast.

 

[gaz1]

im posting this for others

you want something more heavy duty so id say screwdown machine lifting system

 

[James1979]

From the link it weighs 0.25 tons so that’s not a lot, especially in the machine tool world. Rigidity is more important than heavy duty I’d think but if you are going to lift it on jacking bolts then that isn’t such an issue.

I will take a few pics in a minute - heading back out there for a bit.

 

[JMS1972]

im posting this for others

you want something more heavy duty so id say screwdown machine lifting system

I already have some home made Strongway type skates but they are a pain to use as it's slow to change their direction.

 

[Fazerruss]

This is mine I made...

 

[JMS1972]

This is mine I made...

View attachment 294466View attachment 294467View attachment 294468

That looks awesome thanks.

 

[James1979]

This is mine I made...

View attachment 294466View attachment 294467View attachment 294468

Thats exactly what I was getting at

 

[James1979]

It’s a tilting roller table for loading the plasma from the steel rack to get sheets from vertical to horizontal. It needed to be stable as it has to handle 12mm sheets

knocked it up in about half hour and never got round to painting it.

 

[JMS1972]

It’s a tilting roller table for loading the plasma from the steel rack to get sheets from vertical to horizontal. It needed to be stable as it has to handle 12mm sheets

knocked it up in about half hour and never got round to painting it.
View attachment 294472
View attachment 294473

Thanks I've got plenty of ideas

 

[ukracer]

I have a medium sized milling machine I'd like to be easy to move. It's one of These

4 heavy duty castors are available and was thinking of some sort of cradle with a perimeter frame for the castors.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Slightly off topic but do you have the 4 collets for it?

 

[JMS1972]

Slightly off topic but do you have the 4 collets for it?

Err nope it's an MT3 taper I think. I've got a milling chuck and that's about it.

I'm not sure I'm going to keep it, if I have room it might end up being CNC converted at some point.

 

[ukracer]

Err nope it's an MT3 taper I think. I've got a milling chuck and that's about it.

I'm not sure I'm going to keep it, if I have room it might end up being CNC converted at some point.

Ah I thought they were all a proprietary taper. I only have a milling head for mine. Strangely I was going to Add some CNC motors but Tinbasher Dan was interested before Covid. Not sure if he is still interested but I still have all options open