Save money by spending money?

[swick1]

Here's my new milling machine which was built around 1947 and rebuilt at some point between now and then according to the tag on the side. I started building my own attachments to save money but I've spent an awful lot on tools to do that

Securing it to the trailer was kind of hard to figure out. I ran the straps first. The left front strap wraps around the right side of the ram then connects to the left rear of the trailer. The right strap does the same thing to prevent it from wanting to twist the machine around. There was nothing to attach to on the base casting so I wrapped a chain around it as tight as possible and used my three remaining chains to secure it at three points (2 in the back, 1 in the front). It rode very well coming home. The motor in front of it is part of a 3 to 1 phase converter.

I haven't moved it into the building yet because I don't have an engine hoist and none of the auto parts places around here will rent one. I would hang it from the ceiling but it's an awful lot of weight to try that! I don't want to spend more than $50 to move it. Does anyone know how much the base casting weighs? I thought about disassembling the head, ram, and table then trying to move it in pieces.

Another idea I had was to build a heavy duty pallet out of 2x4's and 8 lawnmower wheels. I would remove the gate and strap the pallet to the back of the trailer so it couldn't roll. Then I would use the tractor to slide the mill off the back. When it got near its tipping point on the edge of the trailer i would hook my pallet fork frame to the machine and strap it to securely, then carefully finish pulling it onto the pallet (about 2" drop)

 

[square1]

How did you get it on the trailer?

 

[murphy1244]

Here's my new milling machine which was built around 1947 and rebuilt at some point between now and then according to the tag on the side. I started building my own attachments to save money but I've spent an awful lot on tools to do that

Securing it to the trailer was kind of hard to figure out. I ran the straps first. The left front strap wraps around the right side of the ram then connects to the left rear of the trailer. The right strap does the same thing to prevent it from wanting to twist the machine around. There was nothing to attach to on the base casting so I wrapped a chain around it as tight as possible and used my three remaining chains to secure it at three points (2 in the back, 1 in the front). It rode very well coming home. The motor in front of it is part of a 3 to 1 phase converter.

I haven't moved it into the building yet because I don't have an engine hoist and none of the auto parts places around here will rent one. I would hang it from the ceiling but it's an awful lot of weight to try that! I don't want to spend more than $50 to move it. Does anyone know how much the base casting weighs? I thought about disassembling the head, ram, and table then trying to move it in pieces.

Another idea I had was to build a heavy duty pallet out of 2x4's and 8 lawnmower wheels. I would remove the gate and strap the pallet to the back of the trailer so it couldn't roll. Then I would use the tractor to slide the mill off the back. When it got near its tipping point on the edge of the trailer i would hook my pallet fork frame to the machine and strap it to securely, then carefully finish pulling it onto the pallet (about 2" drop)

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Ken from bolt on hooks put one in his basement and has a thread on it.

 

[3930dave]

Is the ceiling to your shop still open ?

If so, how about placing some heavy lumber perpendicular to the rafters, to distribute the load across say 4 rafters ?

That might not get you exactly where you want it, but it would be off the trailer.

Rgds, D.

 

[swick1]

How did you get it on the trailer?

Engine hoist from the guy's garage, then come-along to drag it to the middle.

 

[ace10]

No neighbors with a large tractor?

 

[murphy1244]

Plywood an soap works

 

[BHD]

the head should come off with 4 bolts, that would help some, the weight should be under one tone, even if one can get it under a solid tree, and lift it off on to a skid of some type, and pull it slowly to the shop,
(I don't know if the little compact tractor if keep up close to the tractor wood lift it enough to shuffle it across the floor or not),

in the shop one could put up a beam and supports under the beam just for removal of the mill, lift drive out form under and lower, remove the beam later,

I did that once with a walkin freezer roof that was complete with all the condenser and evaporator, ( in this case, I had to lift swing and set down,) and made a small beam that would do that,

 

[BHD]

Is the motor on the trailer for a three phase roto converter?

 

[swick1]

Yeah. I haven't inspected it yet, but it's basically a box of capacitors, a motor, and a disconnect with 3 fuses.

 

[Carl_NH]

Another idea I had was to build a heavy duty pallet out of 2x4's and 8 lawnmower wheels. I would remove the gate and strap the pallet to the back of the trailer so it couldn't roll. Then I would use the tractor to slide the mill off the back. When it got near its tipping point on the edge of the trailer i would hook my pallet fork frame to the machine and strap it to securely, then carefully finish pulling it onto the pallet (about 2" drop)

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Along the same lines, cut some 2x6 on angle and screw together then a piece of plywood on top - essentially make a nearly solid ramp off the back of the trailer level with the deck when tilted. Then pull it off slowly onto the ramp - you could put some 1" pipes under the ramp too to roll into position.

 

[brin]

Why not call the man you bought it from and tell him about your problem and ask him if he would loan you his engine hoist or offer him the $50 you said you are willing to pay....If not him then a local small mechanic shop may loan you a lift for $50

 

[JRP]

I bought a similar drill press. Turned out to be a bridgeport CNC mill. Works nice, I used a 240 volt vfd to convert 1 phase to 3 phase. $100.

The base is hollow, so weighs less than appearance. I bolted mine to a custom 3/4 plywood pallet and moved it in the bed of my F250. Rode super smooth, no problems at all. To unload I used my Kubota M6800 with FEL. There is a threaded hole in the top of the ram for an Eye bolt. Move the ram forward or back until the machine lifts level. Keep it very close to ground and move slow to minimize potential damage from a fall. Easy. After it was driven into the shop I rolled it on pieces of 1" pipe. Again, easy. A tool can be made to lift it with a piece of 2" round stock, a piece of 1/2" flat, and a rod that 1" pipe slips over. It fits into the square notches along each side and lets you pry it off the floor. Ill try to remember to photograph it next shop visit. You can also use this pry tool to level the machine exactly.

Congratulations and have fun.

 

[swick1]

Bad news! It doesnt fit in the space i set aside for it! I cleaned it up and checked it out. If anybody wants it i'm asking $1200 for the mill, phase converter, collets, clamps, end mills, drill chucks, and fly cutters.

 

[swick1]

The axes aren't bad and the table slop is average. I ran it at the guys house and the spindle is tight.

 

[swick1]

 

[Coolerman]

After the trouble you took to get it there, I think you could figure out a way to make it fit! Tell the wife to park outside! :laughing:

 

[swick1]

I got rid of it for $1250 and I have a hypertherm plasma cutter coming in the mail to heal my broken heart.

 

[swick1]

I moved it by hanging it from the ceiling and backing the trailers under it. The beam was designed for a 3000lb distributed load and I hung a 2200lb point load 1/3 of the way from the end. Talk about having faith in your math! The plasma is fun to run but it can't replace the mill.