[zmargalit]

I have a G0704 with the grizzly stand for it. Is it imperative that I bolt the stand to the floor. Or is is not necessary?

[hoss2006]

Mine has never been bolted to the floor, like many here with this and other mills it's on casters.
Hoss

[zmargalit]

Thanks for the reply. Do you mount the casters directly to the Grizzly stand or to a larger footprint piece of plywood/metal plate?

My machine is labled Weiss WMD20LV but I think I have a bastardised version of it. It has a 28 inch table with power feed. It also came with a draw bar that looks like the one that belongs to the machine except an inch longer (probably for the 30 or 40 models) Would anyone have an idea whether the table power feed assembly is a factory installed option for this machine?> From all the literature I could gather, the power feed was not offered on the model 20. This machine was purchased by my friend ta a US Customs auction and I purchased it from him. The machine has never been used. I am in the process of finally getting it off the floor and hopefully convert it to a CNC in the next several months. Thanks.

[hoss2006]

The casters are on Shopfox mobile base.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/D2057A
It's wobbly though unless you weld it together once adjusted to fit.
Some use these type of heavy duty casters.
http://www.accesscasters.com/leveling-casters.aspx, think they are cheaper on ebay.
The WMD20LV is from Weiss, one of the more regarded suppliers.
M0060,M0065,WMD20V WMD20LV,Milling&Drilling Machine,WEISS MACHINERY
It's also sold by other retailers like Amadeal with a power feed.
Amadeal Ltd. MT3 Spindle w/ X-axis Powerfeed & DRO System
Is the spindle MT3 or R8?
Hoss

[zmargalit]

Thanks for all your input. The spindle is R8 taper.. in one of the links you sent, I see the WMD25LV and it looks exactly like what I have here except that mine is labeled as WMD20LV. I will definitely insrall the machine on casters as per your advice. Lots of learning to do here. As a retired engineer in the aerospace industry, I think I will figure things out. Thanks again
zamir

[manton]

I bolted my stand to a 1/2" cold rolled steel plate that is 24"x29.5", and then mounted the plate to one of the Shop Fox mobile bases. Instead of trying to level the whole thing using the leveling points on the mobile base (of which there are only two, so you can't really level it), I opted to put 4 hockey pucks under it that have 1/2" bolts to level the plate. The plate weighs 100 lbs, so this should add quite a bit of stability to the bottom of the whole thing. It still moves, but it is much better than when it was on the anti-vibration feet that I originally used. Overall, I would say it is pretty stable done this way.

I had the plate water jet cut, tapped the holes and cleaned the plate well before priming and painting it. The paint didn't end up being quite the same color as the mobile base, but it was pretty close. I've attached a drawing of the plate. There are some 1/2" thick aluminum blocks between the casters and the mobile base to raise the stand a little higher to make room for the hockey pucks underneath.

Attachment 223564

Attachment 223566

Attachment 223562

[zmargalit]

Michael,
Thanks for posting your solution. It looks great and functional. When you say "it still moves', does the entire aparatus move? If so, why does it move with the pucks down? Would friction material affixed to the pucks stop the movement?
Zamir

[manton]

Well, it doesn't slide around if that is what you mean. It does still rock a bit, I suspect since there is some give to the hockey pucks. I did want to absorb some vibration though, so this might just be a side effect of this. It is much better than the vibration dampening feet I initially used from McMaster-Carr, that were rated for the expected weight. With those in place, it wobbled around quite badly, but they were fairly soft rubber. The hockey pucks are much harder, but still provide some give, and they are MUCH cheaper.

I don't have my machine CNCed yet, so it might try to move around more under computer control. When doing manual milling, I don't notice any movement at all, but then I can only turn the hand wheels so fast. Perhaps I should try to toss some sandbags on the bottom for additional weight, though once I CNC it, the control box and computer will likely be mounted on the base as well. It is nice to be able to move the machine in a pinch, so this is much more handy than bolting to the floor.

[zmargalit]

Thanks for the explanation. I have some ideas as to how to make it so it would not wobble at all. If successful, I will share.

[Kevinj308]

I bought a precut plate from the local metal shop, drilled and tapped for casters. Been working great.
Take care
Kevin
http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...psc084f613.jpg

[wizard]

I found your post interesting due to a recent spat with the safety "professional" at work that insisted that the Bridgeport machines be bolted to the floor. Nothing ever done in that shop would even come close to rolling over a Bridgeport so the guys in the shop got both frustrated and a little pissed off over the whole affair.

I have a G0704 with the grizzly stand for it. Is it imperative that I bolt the stand to the floor. Or is is not necessary?

It is really up to you. There are two big concerns that might lead you to bolting the machine to the floor. One is the fear of rolling the machine over which is probably not an issue in a hobbiest shop. The other is to simply keep the machine in place during operation and level.

As for rolling the machine over it isn't just what you throw on it but also what might come in contact with the machine. If you have a commercial shop where large material handling takes place it would be easy to roll the mill over accidentally. I just don't see this happening in the home shop.

The other issues is leveling and keeping the machine in place. These days you can buy leveling feet with integrated rubber pads that are pretty decent for keeping most machines in place and level. Again I don't see the machine being driven so hard that it will require bolting down.

All of is shouldn't mean that you leave all of your machines unbolted from the floor. Drill presses and pedestal grinders are good examples of machines that should be bolted in place. In other words top heavy machines or machines that might take considerable abuse.

[underthetire]

If you've ever been in a large earthquake, you'd be very glad every machine is bolted down. Btdt.

Sent from my G-Tab Quantum using Tapatalk

[zmargalit]

Thanks for your input. Looks like an excellent and inexpensive (relatively speaking) solution.

[zmargalit]

Thanks. You brought up some excellent points. Those and other expert advice I have received here lead me to conclude that for me it is "not to bolt"

[zmargalit]

Earthquakes, non-issue in NJ ... Been to one in Van Nuys CA in the early 80's. Thanks for your input :-)

[wizard]

If you've ever been in a large earthquake, you'd be very glad every machine is bolted down. Btdt.

Sent from my G-Tab Quantum using Tapatalk

Where I am if an earthquake ever did happen I'd probably have tons of concrete sitting on my head or what is left of it. I don't think they ever bothered to consider earthquakes in the construction around here.

[LeeWay]

No quakes here either.
I have the Novakon Torus. Just a little bigger that your machine.
Here is what I used.




It effectively lowers the center of gravity. I think I paid $60 or so for the casters off Ebay. At least that much for the 6" x 3/4" plate. This machine ain't going anywhere unless I want it to.

[zmargalit]

Looks great and effective. Are the plates aluminium?

[LeeWay]

Looks great and effective. Are the plates aluminium?

Right. Just 6061 aluminum flat bar.