I need to anchor a 9"swing 40" long bed (with cabinet base) Rockwell lathe to a concrete floor. I need to make it as level as possible and then level the bed. There are level adjusting nuts and screws between the cast iron bed and the cabinet. The cabinet has 1/2" diameter holes in 4 tabs at its base. The floor is well cured smooth flat concrete (poured about 30 years ago). I have a Starrett No. 199 Master Precision Level for the final leveling.
My plan was to use 3/8" X 3 3/4" "redhead" or "ramset" anchors and those automotive shims that are about 1" square with U slots in them as the levelling shims.
Does that sound like a reasonable plan? Are there better tricks for getting the cabinet level than jamming in shims? Would 3/8" be strong enough? Would(approx) 3" of the bolt below grade be deep enough?
I was thinking since the bolts will actually be studs and if I have enough thread above grade I could first put a big washer and nut to secure the stud in the concrete and then add another nut and washer as a "jack" then comes the tab on the cabinet base and then a final washer and nut. Of course this arrangement would raise the cabinet tabs at least the thickness of two nuts and two washers above the floor surface. I would also make leveling MUCH easier. Does that sound like a reasonable idea? Should I go with the full 1/2" anchors instead of 3/8"?
Also... currently the lathe is about 6" from a cinderbock wall. Makes it damn difficult to clean behind it. Since I have a lot of room to play with how much clearance from the wall would be a good idea? Just enough to walk around it easily?
Since this is my first time setting up such a (relatively) large machine and since concrete anchor bolts are rather permanent I would like to do it right the first time.
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