D.Y.O Steel bench

[keen]

Just heard my machine is on its way - probably thundering a cross the US in one of your massive truck/trailers as I write! So I better get my A into G with a stand.

I have decided to make a steel bench - the freight cost to New Zealand was the main factor. Also I have limited space and want a bench with heavy castors so that I can park the machine in a corner - see JPEGS. i would buy a stand if i lived in the US - but sadly (being winter here) I don't.

Anyway no point in making a bench if it costs too much! So I went to the scrap yard and scrounged some steel. And then scrounged some ply cover sheets - so far the cost is about $100 NZ.

I hope to post some pics of the finished article - thanks again to those who helped me in recent threads. Keen

[philbur]

Looks like an excellent start to me.

Don't forget to build in a good system for chip removal.

Regards
Phil

Originally Posted by keen Just heard my machine is on its way - probably thundering a cross the US in one of your massive truck/trailers as I write! So I better get my A into G with a stand. I have decided to make a steel bench - the freight cost to New Zealand was the main factor. Also I have limited space and want a bench with heavy castors so that I can park the machine in a corner - see JPEGS. i would buy a stand if i lived in the US - but sadly (being winter here) I don't. Anyway no point in making a bench if it costs too much! So I went to the scrap yard and scrounged some steel. And then scrounged some ply cover sheets - so far the cost is about $100 NZ. I hope to post some pics of the finished article - thanks again to those who helped me in recent threads. Keen

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by philbur Don't forget to build in a good system for chip removal.

A method I have used in the past is to bolt a 4" ABS toilet flange to the underside.
This creates a flush surface for cleaning the pan and also allows coolant to be drained.
A short length of 4" ABS can extend it down to a container etc.
Al.

[mxtras]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Man ....bolt a 4" ABS toilet flange to the underside.. Al.

Called a closet flange. Why? I don't really know......

[keen]

I picked up a piece of sheet metal for the top surface - and am thinking about
coolant drainage and swarf removal. Was thinking about bolting a flanged collecter underneath - thanks for the confirmation. Also, its hard to see but the delux stand looks like it has holes each side of the machine about 4" x 8" that not only drain the coolant - but act as a shute for swarf extraction?

If I am wrong about that would it be a good idea? and one side or both? I welcome your thoughts - and thanks for your time.

[keen]

Studying the web info more.........it looks like the delux stand has a little 'chip basket about 3" x 6' that drops into a sealed below surface recepter? is this taken out for bulk 'swarf removal' or just filter cleaning? How does the drawer underneath operate - is it just a filter - or is it a swarf removal aid? - sorry to ask so much.

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by mxtras Called a closet flange. Why? I don't really know......

'A closet flange by any other name would smell as sweet'
( with appologies to W.S.)

Originally Posted by keen and one side or both? I welcome your thoughts - .

Just underneath with a rubber or silicone seal.
Al.

[keen]

Hi Al - Sorry to be a pain - but i don't quite follow - could you elaborate.

thanks

[Al_The_Man]

I have a spare here, it is just a simple flange that is mounted under a 4.5" hole takes 4" ABS, bolt it through from the top, if you use round head coach bolts it makes for non-snag attachment.
Al.

[keen]

Thanks for that Al - and for going to the trouble of the photos! Most appreciated.

Did you mean I should install a wire mesh filters on or in that fitting - so that only coolant and fines get through - or would you allow the coolant and the swarf (metal chips etc) to go down into a tray or settling tank. - making it a convenient place to sweep or brush excess swarf?

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by keen Did you mean I should install a wire mesh filters on or in that fitting - so that only coolant and fines get through - or would you allow the coolant and the swarf (metal chips etc) to go down into a tray or settling tank. - making it a convenient place to sweep or brush excess swarf?

Do what you find best, I usually do both, catch the swarf and I drain the coolant off, don't put a mesh filter on it, you will be continually unclogging it.
Al.

[keen]

Yeh - I have that problem on my manual machines. I found a steel flange shaped like your part in my junk box - but the hole is only about 1 1/2' dia - what do you think? Thanks again