I’m hopefully getting a clone of the PM-25MV mill and I have no benches that can fit it. I ideally want the mill on a mobile platform that has some sort of retractable wheels or lifting legs that allows me to move the setup around. What the better solution: make my own steel frame stand or buy a tool chest and modify it? I have a stick welder and average welding skills, a metal band saw/portaband so I have the right tools to build something but not sure if it’s worth it vs a ready made solution that require little customization.
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Shop Stand for PM-25 clone
- Thread starter Eyecon
- Start date
Shop
A clone of a PM eh. That's an interesting concept all on its own...... What a crazy world we live in! But then again why not!
I don't know the history of mills in that class. My own mill/drill is prolly in that story somewhere.
You could either get a stand from the seller, or perhaps buy just the stand from PM.
I'd think that a mill that size would be just fine on a solid tool cabinet.
Or you could make a custom cabinet like many others on here do.
Personally, I like the integrated floor mount casters you can buy. The wheels can be cranked up off the floor in use or lowered to move around.
I don’t know much about the origin of the pm-25mv but I’m guessing it is a clone of some other machine. The one I’m hopefully getting is called RCOG-25 and appears identical to the PM…probably not as well finished
I guess a steel angle based frame with these https://a.co/d/7OeWePb would do just fine. The eBay seller stopped responding so I’m not even sure I’m getting the unit let alone buying the stand through them. I looked at stands on BusyBee and King Canada and they seem to be in the 300cad range…pretty sure 20feet or so of 2” steel angles will cost a lot less than that. Just wasn’t sure if there were other ideas/options out there
I guess a steel angle based frame with these https://a.co/d/7OeWePb would do just fine. The eBay seller stopped responding so I’m not even sure I’m getting the unit let alone buying the stand through them. I looked at stands on BusyBee and King Canada and they seem to be in the 300cad range…pretty sure 20feet or so of 2” steel angles will cost a lot less than that. Just wasn’t sure if there were other ideas/options out there
Six O Two
(Marco)
At 1.58" dia, those wheels strike me as kinda small. I guess it depends on how flat & smooth the flooring is where you're putting the mill. In my concrete-floored garage, I've used these workbench type 2 3/8" casters for heavy tables. I wouldn't really want to go smaller but I know people here have also used these casters successfully. If you're buiding it yourself, you could also just go with plain swiveling casters and build in some diy leveling feet to take it off the casters when you're not rolling it around.
Depends on what you want. Cheapest stand possible? Steel frame and weld it yourself. Do you want to have drawers to store tooling below? How good are you cabinetry skills? Maybe size it so you can stick a middle cabinet in it. Sometimes its easier to repurpose a bottom chest. Just stick a double layer of plywood on the top and you're good to go.
Anyways, bottom line is there's no best solution, it depends on your wants and needs. Have fun with it! and if you build it and doesn't exactly fit the bill, modify or build again...
That was kinda the point of my lousy joke. A clone of a clone of a clone of a clone......
I agree with @Six O Two . Those wheels look a little small for the job. Might be strong enough, but hard to beat diameter for ease of rolling around. And overkill on the wheel capacity isn't a bad thing. Especially given the possible weight distribution issues you might encounter. I'd prefer to see wheels that have double the required weight capacity, and a bigger rolling diameter.
Thanks everyone for the suggestion, I have 3” casters and I guess I’ll just add adjustable legs to base to lift frame as suggested. I’ll just make horizontal support beams to act as shelves. So a couple of layers of 3/4” plywood would be strong enough or should I consider a 1/4” steel plate? My CNC router tables are all wood but then again both of them probably weight as much as the mill. I have leftover 1” MDF that I can also use provided I make a cross beam support
Dabbler
ersatz engineer
@Eyecon sorry for being lathe to the party. You can absolutely build your own base. Several here have documented their builds.
As long as this is the kind of work that you love to do, then go for it!
However, if you want to start making chips right away, and can afford it, getting a rolling tool box makes very good sense for a small mill like the 25. I love Tom's idea of buying a used welding table, if it is tall enough to use.
I've bought several used rolling cabinets, and usually pay about 125$-175$ for them, (yes the ask price is usually more). At that kind of price, perhaps a build is less attractive?
That being said, there's nothing like the stand *you've* built.
As long as this is the kind of work that you love to do, then go for it!
However, if you want to start making chips right away, and can afford it, getting a rolling tool box makes very good sense for a small mill like the 25. I love Tom's idea of buying a used welding table, if it is tall enough to use.
I've bought several used rolling cabinets, and usually pay about 125$-175$ for them, (yes the ask price is usually more). At that kind of price, perhaps a build is less attractive?
That being said, there's nothing like the stand *you've* built.
curmudgeon
(Steve)
I just got similar casters, https://a.co/d/4YGXmfg, with a stud mount. The wheels do NOT have bearings, which is OK for me, 'cause I'm on polished concrete and no room to move... If you want the plate mount, Vevor has a better price https://www.vevor.ca/leveling-caste...d-nbr-pad-set-of-4-retractable-p_010538559415
Downwindtracker2
Well-Known Member
It's worth while to build a steel frame around tool box lower. They are pretty flimsy, but they do give you drawers with having to make them. The casters aren't that HD either.