If it looks like a bed, and weighs like a bed, then it might just be a bed! Alright, here's my point, I just picked up what might be the bed for either a new lathe or mill build. Its a diesel engine cylinder head, from a 90's model international truck. Measurements are 35" long, 9 7/8" wide, and 5" tall, some rust, nothing a file or sandblasting wont take care of. Weight on bare head casting is 250 - 300 pounds!! Top, bottom, and both long sides are ground to what i can only assume are accurate. My plan is to box in the casting with 1/4" steel bottom, ends, and two long sides. Head will be inverted, with the combustion chambers facing up, as this should be the most accurately ground surface. After boxing i will likely fill all of the cavities with epoxy granite, then top off with two 3/4" x 3" steel bars to bed my linear slides onto. These bars will be scraped as flat as possible for mounting. Tell me what you guys think!
P.S. The rear axles on these large trucks are about 2" diameter with a large hub integral to the shaft. Could make for a nice lathe spindle, the hub being cut down to create a chuck flange. These should be nice steel, just a thought. Pick the junkyard! :rainfro: