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Post by standardsteam on Jun 30, 2011 10:44:48 GMT
I have a lathe cabinet which I want to set up a bit more permanently that packing with shims until level, but not so permanently as to set into concrete or anything like that.
I could just rush out an buy Myford's isomounts, but I'm not that flush with cash at the moment (the cabinet is a myford stand). So, has anyone got any suggestions/experience of leveling feet, or a reasonably-priced solution?
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Post by Rex Hanman on Jun 30, 2011 12:27:49 GMT
There are usually some threaded holes to wind levelling bolts through. If there are only plain holes, suitable bolts with lock nuts could be used.  My Colchester is levelled on commercial anti vibration machine mounts which are square steel plates about 10mm thick and 100mm square with a rubber face on the underside. I'm going to make some for the Boxford and the mill by glueing some old car tyre rubber onto suitable steel plates.  Might only save me a few quid but as Tesco says, "Every little helps!" ;D |
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Post by standardsteam on Jun 30, 2011 12:52:34 GMT
Thanks for your repsonse, it's a non-threaded hole and I did think of some studding only that it doesn't particularly act as a very good load-spreader, and I don't want to think of it hammering if there is any judder in a cutting operation. I suppose I could use a coach bolt resting on some form of rubber square.
I wondered if rubber mounts affect the leveling at all, but I suppose it's not particularly compressible. I'm just wondering if there is anything about 12mm (I think) available for other purposes that might work, without the markup for being used for machinery. There are a few suppliers of "leveling feet" about, but they appear plastic cone with a ball end studding and I'm not sure it's up to supporting a lathe.
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Post by Rex Hanman on Jun 30, 2011 13:14:14 GMT
Check out the Warco website. Don't waste time using the search facility as it didn't find machine mounts when I tried but in the list of products on the left it clearly states "Machine Mounts"  They list 3 different types from about a fiver upwards. Might find something to suit your needs. What type of lathe is it for? |
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kingsteam9
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Post by kingsteam9 on Jun 30, 2011 13:56:09 GMT
It all depends on how much time and effort you're prepared to spend in order to save cash. When it came to levelling up my Boxford cabinet off a far from level/uneven concrete floor I opted for adjustable machine mounts to save time. I made the mistake of initially buying some dead cheap ones which proved not to be up to the job and then found some from J & L Industrial at about £7 + each which are well made robust units and worked ok with non threaded holes in the cabinet floor/end bracket. I'm afraid that sometimes it just doesn't pay to do the job the cheapest way, as I continue to learn :-(.
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Post by ilvaporista on Jun 30, 2011 14:38:21 GMT
I used some from an old washing machine and fridge, cost was zero but they are not as robust as the proper ones
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Post by rodwilson on Jun 30, 2011 15:33:21 GMT
Myford are offering 25% off spares at the moment if that sways you at all............
My own cabinet is bolted to the floor with plate washers of varying thicknesses to level.
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Post by goldstar31 on Jul 1, 2011 7:41:39 GMT
Maybe 'going off at a tangent' will be appreciated.
It's a warning that Myford lathes are 'back heavy' and if unsecured will topple backwards- especially with the motor bolted on.
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Post by standardsteam on Jul 1, 2011 8:20:51 GMT
Thanks all for the suggestions, they are very welcome. It is for a Myford cabinet, and yes I learnt to my cost how "back-heavy" they are when I mounted the motor. I don't have a decent set of mounting bolts and was thinking of the raising blocks, so am attempting to save money on the cabinet feet before I get into trying to set up the carriage/saddle of this lathe rebuild. If it's not on a solid base to start with, trying to level the bed will be almost a waste of time! I'm conscious of Myford's "fakes warning" about raising blocks, and all the suppliers I have seen don't supply the Myford type of raising block. modelengineeringwebsite.com/Myford_fakes.html |
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Post by goldstar31 on Jul 1, 2011 10:27:19 GMT
Actually, you CAN use solid raisers with rubber insertion. However, you DO have to be very careful about alignment. My current ones are thus!
However, you can also use studding and a series of solid washers and substantial nuts!
Probably the really crafty insertion of slotted nuts between the 'gaps' on three of the homemade pillars will please most.
You get a minimum of three decent spirit levels to span the bed at right angles and one along the bed. And watch the bubbles!
I've done it both ways.
What has to be recalled is that once alignment is done it needs to be checked from time to time.
There is also a fabricated box system with raising bolts but that is too difficult to explain here.
I'm glad, however, to note that you have survived- so far.
Norman
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Post by standardsteam on Jul 1, 2011 11:25:17 GMT
Myford are offering 25% off spares at the moment if that sways you at all............ My own cabinet is bolted to the floor with plate washers of varying thicknesses to level. I can't see any evidence of this on Myford's web site at the moment... is this advertised somewhere? I need a few bits n bobs for my rebuild. |
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Post by bobpendleton on Jul 1, 2011 12:14:47 GMT
I believe the offer may be resticted to those buying a new or rebuilt machine. Myford are offering 25% off spares at the moment if that sways you at all............ My own cabinet is bolted to the floor with plate washers of varying thicknesses to level. I can't see any evidence of this on Myford's web site at the moment... is this advertised somewhere? I need a few bits n bobs for my rebuild. |
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kwil
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Post by kwil on Jul 1, 2011 14:56:42 GMT
NOT correct, I have an email from Myford which states 25% off Spares and Accessories AND Bundled Offers for THOSE buying lathes.
You can make your own adjustable mounts. Block or blocks threaded with BSP to take BSP between sizes adaptors and then pass the threaded rod through it all, gives you a coarse adjuster and a locking down nut, just like a real one. You could EVEN make your own hollow adjusters!
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Post by rodwilson on Jul 2, 2011 9:18:05 GMT
I believe the offer may be resticted to those buying a new or rebuilt machine. I can't see any evidence of this on Myford's web site at the moment... is this advertised somewhere? I need a few bits n bobs for my rebuild. PM me your email address Bob and I'll forward you the recent email I received. Rod |
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Post by Rex Hanman on Jul 7, 2011 11:21:38 GMT
Just remembered that the new Warco lathe that arrived at school months ago came with a set of the yellow levelling mounts. They haven't been used as Hants CC insist that all machines are bolted down. I dug one out to see what it was like and they seem pretty good.  Checked the Warco website again as I thought I might as well buy a set at Guildford at the weekend. Strange thing is that they offer three types, two of which look bigger than the yellow ones. They are priced at £3 63 for the fixed one and £3 86 for the swivelling one but the smaller yellow ones are £13 85 each! Confused? I'll need eight if I'm going to put them under the Boxford lathe and the mill. £110 80 plus vat!!! I'll stick to making my own!  Bah! Humbug!  |
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kingsteam9
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Post by kingsteam9 on Jul 7, 2011 16:49:49 GMT
you've spent too long as treasurer ! :-)
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Post by Rex Hanman on Jul 8, 2011 8:33:21 GMT
Been telling them that but no other b***** will do it! |
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kingsteam9
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Post by kingsteam9 on Jul 8, 2011 12:20:48 GMT
I warned you!
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Post by Boadicea on Jul 11, 2011 9:06:48 GMT
you've spent too long as treasurer ! :-) Been telling them that but no other b***** will do it! Well, take it from one who knows, they won't until you don't! |
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Smifffy
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Post by Smifffy on Jul 11, 2011 22:45:53 GMT
Hey Rex,
My BUD is just bolted to the garage floor, with some packing under one end to level if off as the garage floor slopes towards the door.
I did a lot of messing around with trying to accurately level the lathe to ensure a consistent cut, but I can tell you that the Boxford stand is so bloody rigid and over engineered, that it makes bu**er all difference.
Make life easy on yourself and save a few (well, more than just a few!) £.
Cheers
Smifffy
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