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Longer column for mini mill...?

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rvt:
Hi,

I've got this mini mill: http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Milling-Machines/Model-X0-Micro-Mill

Very small! I'm wondering whether anyone has any thoughts on making a longer/taller collum for this? Would I perhaps need extra support at the base? Any significant problems with doing something like this?

Many thanks for your thoughts!
Rich

Bill Stupak:
Here is what I did to mine           http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=8481.0    Probably not what you had in mind, but it might give you some ideas.

Bill

rvt:
Thanks Bill. That's a nicely documented project too. It gives me some ideas on how to support the base should I get anything done, although my set up is a bit different as the column is a bar.

I can take some photos of my actual base/column if it helps, rather than just the stock image off the site.

Bill Stupak:
Yes I see (I didn't view the link when I posted). One way to extend your type would be to just find a longer column of the same dia. Of course I'm sure you realize a longer column would flex quite a bit. A brace of some sort would help there. When you lower the milling head to its lowest usable position how much of the column is showing? If it is a fair amount you might be able fab a new mounting bracket and shift the bottom of the column to a higher position relative to the table.

Bill

rvt:

--- Quote from: Bill Stupak on March 28, 2011, 11:41:19 AM ---Yes I see (I didn't view the link when I posted). One way to extend your type would be to just find a longer column of the same dia. Of course I'm sure you realize a longer column would flex quite a bit. A brace of some sort would help there. When you lower the milling head to its lowest usable position how much of the column is showing? If it is a fair amount you might be able fab a new mounting bracket and shift the bottom of the column to a higher position relative to the table.

Bill

--- End quote ---
Thanks for your help. A longer column is basically what I was thinking of, but I was just wondering if anyone else had done this and how to go about it. I measured what you suggested, and I've got around 100mm of free column above, this with the table in place and taking into account a small end mill and a thin work piece. The point behind this is that I can't get a rotary table + chuck in there with enough space to work (even the smallest barely fits at all). I'm not sure how I'd go about shifting the buttom of the column to a higher position yet,  I'll have to give it some thought.

The column as it is 360mm, excluding the part that is in the base, 30mm ED. Realistically I think we need to get this to atleast ~500mm. I'm not sure what the two holes by the column are for, but perhaps they could be used for some sort of bracket.

Bill, do you know if you can buy columns like this anywhere? I assumed I would have to have one made specially.

Many thanks,
Richard

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