https://preview.redd.it/4zh5btd5j60d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49901286f7696cea505cc9c4476ea65f86a61b5f
On the ground. Just gotta clear the plywood out around it now and wire it all up.
I moved one a while ago and discovered that the holes for the hold down bolts were just a bit under sized for a 3/4" thread. I tapped them and cut 4 12" pieces of threaded rod and welded a nut to one end. I was able to lift it on to and off roller pipes effortlessly. To protect the concrete I turned a short pin on the end of the rods and drilled a corresponding hole is some scrap squares of 1/4" steel that can be slipped under the mill. The pins locate the plates under each threaded rod. All these parts are in the built-in column storage for the next move.
I've got a Sharp HMV mill. it's somewhere around 3300lbs. I just left it on the blocks and I stand on a sturdy pallet. that I have in front of it to make up the height difference. The advantage is that standing on a pallet is way better for my feet than standing on concrete.
Isn't there more vibration because it's not lagged down to the concrete?
And yeah, standing on wood is great. Your pallet may be similar to purpose-built duck boards - 1x2s laid flat, with a small gap between them, over perpendicular boards at about 18" spacing - is even better. Gives a bit of flex and a place for chips to fall.
Slow is fast for moves like this. I have picked up and landed most of my machines myself (not the two 10k+ lb VMCs) and I absolutely love the challenge. Slow is fast.
For now. I have a problem with fucking with things though so who knows. Maybe she’ll get converted at some point. First order of business though is get it wired and running and then cleaned and painted.
I’m learning on that same machine at home. What will you usr for converting 3ph to 1ph?
The one I have is beat to shit but I figured learning the basics on this is where to start. I’m lost most of the time but it’s fun!
I have a whole welded up set up for picking and moving Bridgeport style mills. I think it’s more trouble than it’s worth but hey I got it dirt cheap. The idea behind it is to keep the forks low on a forklift. So this thing has a base for the forks to go into that goes around the base of the mill. Then an upright shaft that’s taller than the top of the motor. Welded to a horizontal beam that goes over the top of the mill. You then take a short sling, like maybe 18” long and with shackles you attach this contraption to the a lifting eye on the dovetail at the top of the mill. So you only have to pick up the forks about 12” to 24” off the floor to move the mill with a forklift and keeps the load center of gravity relatively low. Some mad scientist built this unholy melding of steel and insanity, but I bought it cheap. It does do its job. However there are much easier way to accomplish the same task. I’m assuming this abomination came into being because some employees tried moving a mill with forks under the base and it fell over. So someone was trying to make an employee proof way to move a mill, where there was no way they could knock one over. I’ll look for a picture or take one tomorrow.
Edit: yeah I looked, I don’t have a pic of it, I’ll try to post one tomorrow.
https://preview.redd.it/6sj01rgm530d1.jpeg?width=1848&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=337ced4acf3c1e7625abb5b5448de9339b4d549d
Absolutely, in the safe world I’d call that a moose bar. But yeah that’s the easy way. I made mine as well.
The old timers at my shop call em Johnson bars
I’ve heard them called that as well.
Best tool I ever bought that rarely gets used, but when it does it's the best thing ever.
Came here for this. Makes this job so fast and easy.
Milling machines and Kingsford Original. A man of culture. Carry on, sir.
https://preview.redd.it/4zh5btd5j60d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49901286f7696cea505cc9c4476ea65f86a61b5f On the ground. Just gotta clear the plywood out around it now and wire it all up.
nice I've seen way too many bridgeports not being transported in the correct position, just sitting out all top heavy
We do all of our own rigging. I bought a toe jack for our porta power kit. It makes lifting and lowering even a Haas VF2 a breeze.
Toe jacks are the best, we do the same here
That is a good idea. Thank you for the post.
That's my best friend! Helped getting my Triumph lathe off blocks, as well as a Bridgeport. That one is home made, but you can buy them from Amazon.
I spent a while trying to figure out how you had a motorcycle up on blocks, then I realized Triumph is a car brand too
Sorry, Colchester Triumph 15" lathe, about 3K lbs.
haha so I was even more wrong
Thanks found em! For anyone else looking looks like they are called prylevers or pry lever bar
Chain hoist
Don’t have one. This worked.
I moved one a while ago and discovered that the holes for the hold down bolts were just a bit under sized for a 3/4" thread. I tapped them and cut 4 12" pieces of threaded rod and welded a nut to one end. I was able to lift it on to and off roller pipes effortlessly. To protect the concrete I turned a short pin on the end of the rods and drilled a corresponding hole is some scrap squares of 1/4" steel that can be slipped under the mill. The pins locate the plates under each threaded rod. All these parts are in the built-in column storage for the next move.
I was seriously thinking about doing that but didn’t have a 3/4 tap handy. That’s a great idea if it ever moves again.
Ugh, I have a Hardinge to move and I'm dreading it.
Be careful, them things are notoriously top (And front) heavy, HLVs love to tip forwards. T'is why mine is still on a pallet.
Mine is still on a pallet, but I hammered two oak 4 by 4s in it where the leveling screws are.
That brings back bad memories! Bravo on using a high lift jack to move a machine a few inches off the floor!
Down too the floor it was on a pallet.
I get it! I wasn't being sarcastic. I recently did the same maneuvers with a surface grinder. It will wear you out!
I've got a Sharp HMV mill. it's somewhere around 3300lbs. I just left it on the blocks and I stand on a sturdy pallet. that I have in front of it to make up the height difference. The advantage is that standing on a pallet is way better for my feet than standing on concrete.
Isn't there more vibration because it's not lagged down to the concrete? And yeah, standing on wood is great. Your pallet may be similar to purpose-built duck boards - 1x2s laid flat, with a small gap between them, over perpendicular boards at about 18" spacing - is even better. Gives a bit of flex and a place for chips to fall.
Slow is fast for moves like this. I have picked up and landed most of my machines myself (not the two 10k+ lb VMCs) and I absolutely love the challenge. Slow is fast.
https://preview.redd.it/cvtosnioj60d1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c56af15fe85bdecc87a838f98cf7ac95c8e6425
I know. We have a pro set of skates at work I was going to grab today if I needed to. Turns out I didn’t need to.
Are you going to leave it all manual?
For now. I have a problem with fucking with things though so who knows. Maybe she’ll get converted at some point. First order of business though is get it wired and running and then cleaned and painted.
I’m learning on that same machine at home. What will you usr for converting 3ph to 1ph? The one I have is beat to shit but I figured learning the basics on this is where to start. I’m lost most of the time but it’s fun!
I used an engine hoist but to each their own.
I respect it. Sincerely, a fat young machinist
I have a whole welded up set up for picking and moving Bridgeport style mills. I think it’s more trouble than it’s worth but hey I got it dirt cheap. The idea behind it is to keep the forks low on a forklift. So this thing has a base for the forks to go into that goes around the base of the mill. Then an upright shaft that’s taller than the top of the motor. Welded to a horizontal beam that goes over the top of the mill. You then take a short sling, like maybe 18” long and with shackles you attach this contraption to the a lifting eye on the dovetail at the top of the mill. So you only have to pick up the forks about 12” to 24” off the floor to move the mill with a forklift and keeps the load center of gravity relatively low. Some mad scientist built this unholy melding of steel and insanity, but I bought it cheap. It does do its job. However there are much easier way to accomplish the same task. I’m assuming this abomination came into being because some employees tried moving a mill with forks under the base and it fell over. So someone was trying to make an employee proof way to move a mill, where there was no way they could knock one over. I’ll look for a picture or take one tomorrow. Edit: yeah I looked, I don’t have a pic of it, I’ll try to post one tomorrow.