Hi,
So I decided to make a post about my mill enclosure build. I have been scouring the internet for help/ideas on enclosure builds for some time now. I found a lot for the smaller desktop mills, but only a few for knee mills, and nothing like I was really looking for. I figured I have lurked this forum for years (back when I had a Bridgeport series one knee mill), reading and learning what I can from everyone here. I have never really posted much so I thought I would try to contribute and maybe this can help someone else looking to do the same. Plus maybe you guys can give me some tips and ideas as I go. I would appreciate any advice. I am sure there are things I have not thought about.
I purchased a CNC Masters Supra knee mill a little while back. I am just learning about CNC, but the more I use it the more I realize I need something to contain all the chips. This thing slings them everywhere. LOL I never used my Bridgeport enough that a few chips here and there was not bad. But when I can make so much more, I have chips everywhere. I also really want a better coolant system. So I figured I would utilize the bottom of my mill and put a sump pump in there to recirculate a flood system.
So I started the build this weekend. Since I am not sure about all the dimensions, I figure it will be easiest to build it out of plywood. I have a rough idea how I plan to attach it and how I want it in the end. But I will have to build it on the fly. I saw a few people using plywood, so I figure it will be ok to start with. Once I have it built I will have all the dimensions so that I can have the local metal shop make me one out of metal. My plan is to coat it in marine epoxy and paint it. I do a lot of boat building and boat work so I have plenty of epoxy for the job. One thing I am curious about is I read silicone does not last very long with the different type of coolants. So this is something I will have to figure out during the final assembly. But right now I just have to get all the angle and cuts made. Any ideas are definitely welcome.
I started off with using some aluminum angle and make a box around the bottom of the mill. I just purchased my first Tig so this is my first attempt at welding with it. Way different than Mig. So don’t beat me up to bad over the quality. My education is Youtube University. LOL I made a mistake measuring the front and it was about an inch to short. So I just cut it in the middle and welded in a patch. Hey more practice is what I figure. Once I get the bottom angles figured out with plywood, I will weld a flange on the bottom with some 6” flat bar. This will make a bowl so any coolant will not be able to get over. I also still need to figure out a straining system as the coolant flows into the bottom of the mill. I have seen steel wool being used, but not sure how I will go about this. There is just a small strainer in the bottom currently.
What took the longest time was drilling and taping the holes for all the bolts.
I got the left side back on. I only put in a couple of bolts to hold everything in place.
Love me some Kregg jig for jointing everything together.
Got the bottom left side on here. I marked this angle on the back board and will trim everything down after it is all together.
Now to the right side
And the bottom