Concrete base for small mill?

On Mar 24, 12:22 pm, Randy Replogle wrote:

On the usefullness of a rigid base: A rigid base is going to benifit any conventional machine tool more than a flimsy base. If there's a lathe or mill (etc.) that performs better on rickety supports, has anyone heard of it? On getting a welded bench into the basement: What I did (my third incarnation for my mill drill's base, second in a basement) was to make the table out of 2 by 2 by 1/4 thick angle iron, with the legs removable so it could go down the stairs. It's more rigid than it sounds, but can't be as rigid as a concrete monolith... period. I wouldn't go with a concrete base, because I require my mill/drill to be semi-mobile. It needs to move around the basement every few years as other equipment is acquired or ... well heck, I only acquire equipment, or if I need to change basements, or maybe someday, a garage. My mill/drill and 9" lathe also have retractable wheels so they can be moved on a concrete floor (with effort) by one somewhat obese operator. Levelers are a must that are often ignored by neophytes (shims etc. are a sorry substitute) On concrete options: I like the suggestion of casting it in parts to be assembled in the basement. Is there any option that anyone could think of that may extend the "painted floor" option (for readily removing the monlithic mass from the floor by preventing bonding) by adding "painted joints" to the several components that would make up a concrete stand that was cast in parts? That is to say, maybe, paint the floor lay-up (form) and pour the left and right sides, (don't even scree the tops of the sides, leave as rough and jagged as possible),let cure, paint all over including the jagged edges. lay up and pour the front and back, same treatment as sides. lay up and pour the top. Also, include any L-bolts, etc., as desired to clamp everything together in the pours. The painted surfaces would simplify removal, while the jagged joints would promote "keying" of the surfaces, to provide stability and rigid joints. I doubt this assembly could be successfully re-assembled after moving, but a concrete structure should probably be considered a one- time-only structure in most cases regardless. The "chunks" to be demolished would definitely be easier to handle than a true monolith, and probably more rigid than the optional stand from HF,enco,grizzly etc. What about building the base largely from concrete blocks, with a concrete top? Is mortar up to the task? At about a dollar a block this may be plausible.

A compromise might be (this may have already been suggested) to pour a THICK say, 6" to 10" slab on top of a shortened (by 6 to 10") steel base. I've seen the 700 pound asian mill/drills do really nice work, and I've seen crappy work come off of 9 by 49 bridgeports. They are cats and dogs though, and comparison may be futile.