CNC machine on wheels

[samualt]

I have regular leveling feet on my CNC machine, but wanted a way to roll it around also. While at the hardware store I saw a trailer jack. It is hand cranked and looks perfect to add to CNC machine legs so you can crank down the wheels and roll your machine around. Looks like it would just bolt right on. Northern Tools has one for $17, but like most of them it's really a little big. Anyone know of a somewhat smaller, cheaper wheeled jack?

[sol]

This is not real elegant, but cheap and simple. I've seen swivel casters connected to bolt ends (the threaded end) and mounted to tables via nuts that are welded to the table legs. To lower the wheels the bolts are turned with a ratchet wrench...basically leveling feet with wheels.

[jeffs555]

Haven't seen really small trailer jacks, but how about something like this? http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/c...rkvcasters.htm

[seansear]

My machine stays on wheels all the time. The total footprint of the machine is approx 4' 6" wide and 9' long. I built a table with 4x4 posts for legs and put a shelf near the bottom. A top out of 3/4 MDF. I out 4" casters on the bottom of the posts. Even put a couple drawers under the table to hold router bits etc.. Works out great and stays level. If I do move it around I just need to make sure the table is level and then I know the machine is level. A couple quick checks with a dial indicator on the z axis to make sure the z height is accurate to the table and off I go.

[wjbzone]

I built a table using 4x4 posts as legs too. I used 2x10 for the top and a shelf. I put castors on the bottom. It is a very solid setup, but can be easily moved. The center 1x10 on my table top slides out to allow me to lube my X ballscrew.
http://www.intergate.com/~wjb1/wjbzo...table-7-03.jpg

Bill

[jstuedle]

The shopsmith wheel kit is really light weight. I have one, the wheels arn't much IMHO.

[samualt]

The picture above shows my solution.
1. I bought some small cheap swivel castors with wheel brakes.
2. I cut some small steel plates and drilled 4 holes for the castors to bolt to.
3. I welded some 1/2" bolts to the steel plates. I covered the ugly welds with epoxy and then painted them. There will be a locking nut on the 1/2" bolt (not shown).
4. I made some aluminum plates 3/4" thick to bolt to the machine legs with a 1/2" threaded hole in the middle.

You can see from the picture how it will go together. I should be able to adjust the feet up and down and then lock that length in place. And I should also be able to wheel around this behemoth and then use the step-locks on the castors to make it stay in place.

I hope that works........

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