If I can't move it at least a little bit I will have to pass the deal up, as it would be impossible for me to have such a burley machine without the ability to move it around a few feet in my workshop.
Full Version: Bridgeport
I am looking into purchasing a Bridgeport Series 1 milling machine that I have found for a steal. It is in working order but it hasn't been used in a long time so it will need to be disassembled and cleaned. It has a 42" table, which is huge, not to mention the sheer weight of the beast herself. I am wondering if I can put large casters under each corner and roll it around or if I will end up destroying a $950 piece of precision equipment.
If I can't move it at least a little bit I will have to pass the deal up, as it would be impossible for me to have such a burley machine without the ability to move it around a few feet in my workshop.
If I can't move it at least a little bit I will have to pass the deal up, as it would be impossible for me to have such a burley machine without the ability to move it around a few feet in my workshop.
I'd have to imagine as long as the casters were rated for the weight of the machine (say the machine is 2000 pounds; seems like four 500 pound casters would be good enough). I don't think you'll want to leave the machine on the wheels though. there are casters that have integrated feet (check out the link below), it seems like those would be the ones to get.
Here's a thread on CNC Zone about some casters that the OP apparently really likes: Best Workbench Casters. Period! I haven't read that thread in a while, but perhaps it'll give you some ideas on what to look for in a caster. By the way, those are rated for 125 pounds, so I guess a one ton machine would need eight.
Another idea is to have a base with slots in it that will allow you to use a forklift or a pallet jack when you need to move it. Someone mentioned this method in the micRo thread a few months ago. Lemme see if I can find the post...
Here it is: http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...st&p=311155
Here's a thread on CNC Zone about some casters that the OP apparently really likes: Best Workbench Casters. Period! I haven't read that thread in a while, but perhaps it'll give you some ideas on what to look for in a caster. By the way, those are rated for 125 pounds, so I guess a one ton machine would need eight.
Another idea is to have a base with slots in it that will allow you to use a forklift or a pallet jack when you need to move it. Someone mentioned this method in the micRo thread a few months ago. Lemme see if I can find the post...
Here it is: http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?s...st&p=311155
To move the heavy stuff I have seen them lift it about 2" then use long pieces of pipe as rollers, around 8 to 15 pieces.
The good thing about is you don't have to lift far so it wont tip over. Wedge one side up just enough to get the pip under and keep adding pipe. Roll the mill slowly and keep moving the pipes from the back to front.
They are top heavy so drop the knee all the way down and turn the head sideways.
The good thing about is you don't have to lift far so it wont tip over. Wedge one side up just enough to get the pip under and keep adding pipe. Roll the mill slowly and keep moving the pipes from the back to front.
They are top heavy so drop the knee all the way down and turn the head sideways.
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