Leveling feet/Casters for Bridgeport Mill

[tmate3]

I recently struggled with how I might lift my newly acquired Bridgeport off its pallet and move it into position in my garage. After much thought and advice, I decided it was too heavy to lift with my engine hoist and too tall to do it with my car lift.

I finally solved the problem by sliding the back off the pallet and mounting leveling feet/casters, then continuing to slide it until the front of the mill was almost clear of the pallet. Then I blocked it up, pulled the pallet out, and mounted the front feet/casters. This also fixed the issue of a substantial slope in my garage floor near the walls.

H&W Machine sells a $350 kit that uses solid bars across under the front and back of the machine, with leveling feet at the ends. My approach was similar, but I used 5" x 2" 1/4" wall rectangular tubing with leveling feet that have integral casters. Since the machine is now 7" taller, I bought a 7" high work platform. The stability is increased with the wider stance.

[DIYer]

Thanks tmate3! We've added your Leveling Casters to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: tmate3's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Leveling Casters by tmate3

tags: level, mill, caster(s)

[ranald]

I used this principle and it works well with levelling a 6ft mower deck on an out front and midmount tractor being able to adjust the mounting/hangers.

[black echo]

I can't see how it could be "too tall" for your car lift to get it off the pallet. Surely the lift can be held at a height between lowest and highest positions. What am I missing?

BTW, what is the mass of the Bridgeport? And would you please provide the particulars on the casters with levelling feet? I am hoping they can help solve a conundrum with my own uneven shop floor. Thank you.

[tmate3]

I can't see how it could be "too tall" for your car lift to get it off the pallet. Surely the lift can be held at a height between lowest and highest positions. What am I missing?

BTW, what is the mass of the Bridgeport? And would you please provide the particulars on the casters with levelling feet? I am hoping they can help solve a conundrum with my own uneven shop floor. Thank you.

The lift goes up to about 72". If I lower it enough to raise something 7" it is too low to lift the mill by straps around the ram.

The casters (CarryMaster ALC-1000FB) solved the problem for me. They raised the mill 7", so I bought a 7" high work platform.

Bridgeport weighs 2,000 lbs.

[McDesign]

[QUOTE=tmate3;179855]I recently struggled with how I might lift my newly acquired Bridgeport off its pallet and move it into position in my garage. After much thought and advice, I decided it was too heavy to lift with my engine hoist and too tall to do it with my car lift.

Hey - interesting Idea - was about to hire riggers to move my mill into an enlarged shop area, and then buy leveling feet - this would do both. The feet are in my cart at Zambus - thanks!

I might try and make up a frame to only lift the mill an inch or so - will post it here if it works!