I am considering the purchase of a Rong Fu RF-45 mill drill and due to shop space constraints I would like to make a stand for it that is on wheels. So, I would like to know if anybody has made a movable stand for a mill drill and if so could you share any details or ideas? ...Mike
I bought one with a stout base of steel tube. it works pretty well. I can take pictures if you'd like.
If you can cut, fit and weld mild steel, a machine stand is easy. I like to make the legs out of 2x2x¼" or 2x2½x¼" angle, and I like ½" plate steel for the top. I like to cut/drill plates to match the caster plates, and weld them on and paint (or get galvanized) the whole stand, then bolt on the casters. If you like you can put drawers in. If you do put drawers in, make them very sturdy, and make them deeper (top to bottom) than you'd think. I made a lathe stand this exact way and it is very rigid and stout. Plans are at
It isn't completely trivial to fit everything so it's nice and square after welding, but it is easy to build a very rigid and stout stand you can feel real good about for as long as you own it.
Grant Erwin Kirkland, Washington
A good place for drawers btw...is the ball bearing roller glide drawers from phone company service shells. One occasionally sees these in junk yards etc. The drawers themselves are usually a very heavy cyrolac or similar plastic and have internal deviders that are easily moved around, and can be very deep and wide.. various sizes. They are usually simply bolted into tubing/wire frames. They also work very well under workbenches etc.
I drove surplus phone company service trucks for many years and when they were scrapped out at the end of their life span, I saved the drawers and bins. I gave most of them away or used them over the years (damnit..before I got into machining) and folks made lots of rolling carts etc stacked with thesed drawers.
Keep your eyes peeled when you go by a wrecking yard.
Gunner
That rifle hanging on the wall of the working-class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there. - George Orwell
If you decide to buy the Rong Fu stand, you can easily add a mobile base. Search for G7315 at
On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 17:15:13 -0700, JR North calmly ranted:
WELL done, JR, both in planning and execution.
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The rails used to mount servers can normally be puchased / begged from companies upgrading there servers. I have sold them on ebay in the past and normally get about $5 - $10 a pair. They are normally rated to about 100lb but you do sometimes get 200lb ones. They have a nice action and are of the highest quality I have found.
Stuart Pearson
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