A Moveable mill

[brookscooper]

So, I'm nearly completion of my garage. Once I have the next phase done, my neighbor's JET Mill will be showing up on perma-loan.
I need to make it moveable so I'm planning to fab some caster assemblies that can be hinged under it for movement, and then flipped up so it rests on its base.

Assuming I don't abuse it by dropping it hard, etc. - do we foresee any alignment issues? I'd hate to have it go out of true just because I moved it a bit.

Also, any past success with making a big, heavy, precise [relatively] machine moveable?

 

[zkling]

Eh.. This could be really dangerous.

IF I was going to do it I would make a base where the bottom of the mill set below the centerline of it's wheels. Basically you want to keep the center of gravity as low as possibly. Most mills are very top heavy.

I must ask why do you want to beable to move it? I don't think this is going to be something that you will be able to wheel around with one hand just to sweep chips up. Ideally a mill should be leveled, but.....

I have seen guys permanently mount a Bridgeport on a pallet jack type for a mobile base.

Here is a thread on it

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...ade-mobile-base-there-bridgeport-mill-154425/

 

[Regnar]

I never had any problems to speak of. I wouldnt use it for everyday moving but it did work for those odd jobs that were to big to fit snug up against the wall. When I sold this mill a couple off morons came over and just attached a come along to the cross bar and jacked it up a ramp. I was waiting for it to tip over as it went up the ramp but nothing. They strapped it down on the trailer with it still on the casters too.

Mill is a BP M head with a 36" table. I wanna say it weight 1500lbs.

 

[bigguns69]

Check this out.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160438

 

[NASTYZEN]

This^^^^^^!!

 

[Glacial_Speed]

I always wanted to try one of those airsled type machine movers.

A bit like an inverted air hockey table. Really cool, probably big money.

http://www.airsled.com/who.htm