Getting my benchtop mill set up
- Thread starter Ian
- Start date
Bliksem
Active Member
Ian, really nice work. I once did the same thing you are doing but that was before I immigrated to Texas, I mean the USA. 
That being said as I'm planning my exit strategy from full-time work to become a wanderer across this great country, with my wife at my side, down-sizing everything colors every decision we make. At too many estate sales I see the products of a passionate man torn apart and sold for less than peanuts. I hope you have heirs that will cherish and continue what you are building as I have none.
That being said as I'm planning my exit strategy from full-time work to become a wanderer across this great country, with my wife at my side, down-sizing everything colors every decision we make. At too many estate sales I see the products of a passionate man torn apart and sold for less than peanuts. I hope you have heirs that will cherish and continue what you are building as I have none.
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Bliksem,
From the reading of one of your previous posts, I imagined you immigrated to Texas from the United States.
Bliksem
Active Member
Not quite, I'm a Boer, 10th generation South African that can trace my blood line to north-western Europe. I researched a lot before I immigrated as I was never going to be a subject ever again but a citizen. The pity is that this great country has varying levels of freedom, depending upon the state you find yourself in.Bliksem,
From the reading of one of your previous posts, I imagined you immigrated to Texas from the United States.
Footnote: English is my second language and I work at fitting into my adopted country but I won't give up or compromise on the ideals that made this country great. 'nuff said.
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RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
The director of the museum I volunteer at came to the US from Rhodesia. His feelings are about the same, although he started out in TX, FL and then NY. He says he is happy here in WA and learning to enjoy winter activities. He has been in the US about 30 years, stopping his old profession and got a degree in Museum Management. Neat fellow.
Ian
Notorious member
We've been here since the 1830s, some since 1824. Texas has a lot of problems but I wouldn't live anywhere else. Your English is excellent in print. I assume you've also learned a little bit of "Mexican"?
Wife and I have two young children, hopefully they will take an interest in some of my stuff and their mother's. If not, it will be a field day at our estate sale. One can have a few possessions or many, in the end it's just "stuff" and doesn't mean much in and of itself. My stuff keeps me entertained, and that's what gives it value.
Wife and I have two young children, hopefully they will take an interest in some of my stuff and their mother's. If not, it will be a field day at our estate sale. One can have a few possessions or many, in the end it's just "stuff" and doesn't mean much in and of itself. My stuff keeps me entertained, and that's what gives it value.
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Two thumbs up, sir!!
RBHarter
West Central AR
We arrived in the Virginia colonies 1740 and earlier . Separate families went north eventually into Indy and Ohio via Tennessee the others into So Carolina . English , Irish , and Scotts . DNA says a Centurian marched across Europe from Rome took a Gypsy girl and settled somewhere along the borders of France and Germany about 150 years . The whole clan went to Ireland 1500-1650 ish .
I grew up in the town my Dad was born in in Nevada , I live about 90 miles from the house my Dad's Mom was born in 109 years ago . Ive lived in Ca , Nv , Ut , Ar and Ks 8 months , which was the longest 5 yr of my life . I'm about 5 weeks from 3 yr in Arkansas and I don't have a clue where the time has gone .
I grew up in the town my Dad was born in in Nevada , I live about 90 miles from the house my Dad's Mom was born in 109 years ago . Ive lived in Ca , Nv , Ut , Ar and Ks 8 months , which was the longest 5 yr of my life . I'm about 5 weeks from 3 yr in Arkansas and I don't have a clue where the time has gone .
Joshua
Taco Aficionado/Salish Sea Pirate/Part-Time Dragon
Well I bought this mill three years ago, and it’s been sitting on the basement laundry room floor all that time. Between my new job, where I’m learning how to machine and being inspired by you guys, I have finally started to move forward installing it. I’ve cleared out an area and building has begun. I just finished the bench for my RF-30 bench top mill.
The top is a recycled 1 1/4” thick oak dinner table. It wasn’t quite large enough to cover the 33”x33” top. The uprights have rabbets cut into them, and everything is glued and screwed. I’m glad that I had all this material set aside, all I’ve had to purchase was a box of screws. The floor is very uneven so I still need to level, scribe, and then trim the legs.
I’m gonna have to tear out some overhead sheet rock and install an 8’ long 4”x6” above this bench. I’m gonna use a two ton chain fall to pick her up. The manual claims that this mill weighs 566 pounds. I ain’t gonna strong man that! Heading out to the hardware store to buy a new level.
P.s. yes it was that rusty when I bought it!
The top is a recycled 1 1/4” thick oak dinner table. It wasn’t quite large enough to cover the 33”x33” top. The uprights have rabbets cut into them, and everything is glued and screwed. I’m glad that I had all this material set aside, all I’ve had to purchase was a box of screws. The floor is very uneven so I still need to level, scribe, and then trim the legs.
I’m gonna have to tear out some overhead sheet rock and install an 8’ long 4”x6” above this bench. I’m gonna use a two ton chain fall to pick her up. The manual claims that this mill weighs 566 pounds. I ain’t gonna strong man that! Heading out to the hardware store to buy a new level.
P.s. yes it was that rusty when I bought it!
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RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
You may wish to consider getting some machinery anti-vibration feet for the base. They are cheap, easy to install and will be a god-send when you are learning and vibrations are happening. ( And not the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" type. )
Joshua
Taco Aficionado/Salish Sea Pirate/Part-Time Dragon
Thanks for the advice. I just ordered some, that will be much easier to level.
I made quite the dent in a gallon bottle of Titebond II. It’s a wood monolith at this point!
Ian
Notorious member
This thing's gonna make a mess. Mist coolant, cutting oil, way oil, chips, etc. So I ordered a 12-gauge aluminum full-sheet baking pan (18" X 26" X 1") that just, I mean JUST barely accommodates the feet and broke out the engine hoist again to put it in place. Perfecto.
Last Sunday I trammed the mill and shimmed the 2.5 thousandths of nod in six inches down to about three tenths and got the tilt over ten inches to about half a thousandth. Then I fired it up and milled the end of a junk brass mould. Wondermus.
Now to plumb the mister and mount the air filter/ regulator.
Last Sunday I trammed the mill and shimmed the 2.5 thousandths of nod in six inches down to about three tenths and got the tilt over ten inches to about half a thousandth. Then I fired it up and milled the end of a junk brass mould. Wondermus.
Now to plumb the mister and mount the air filter/ regulator.