Member postings for Chris N

I moved mine by breaking it down into table, saddle, head and base/column. The base and column are very heavy indeed and it wasn't possible for me to move them on my own. The other parts were just about manageable, but easier with two people. The head comes off very easily - two or three bolts depending on model and the angular adjustment lock are all you need to remove, I think. I clamped the spindle nose in some V blocks in the vice to stabilise it. I had to remove the DRO scales to get the table off, but that was fairly straightforward too.

Manual of Engineering Drawing is my go-to. 5th Edition is the most recent but an earlier version would be just fine as a reference for non-commercial applications.

Not Torx but close: https://www.automotioncomponents.co.uk/en/catalog/mechanical-components/shoulder-screws-captive-screws-sealing-screws/shoulder-screws/stainless-shoulder-screws/p0128.a2/g+m+c+s+a

Edited By Chris N on 24/02/2022 19:24:48

I was able to break the mill down into smaller chunks. DRO, Z scale and way covers first, then the head came off fairly easily after removing the bolts and locking pin. Table, saddle and their leadscrews off next. Took two of us to lift the head - it's very dense - and to lift the base and column.

Mine does have the gas strut inside the column - it's fixed to the Z axis slide via a connecting block (I think) and then to the base of the machine - so I decided not to remove it or the column. There are also two threaded and, I assume, tapered pins through the foot of the column into the base between the fixing screws.

I need to disassemble a WM18 to move it too, and was hoping that I could break it into smaller pieces to do so. I found the Precision Matthews PM-30MV manual on their website - it looks like the same machine: PM-30MV-v3-2020-10.pdf Looks like the head, table and saddle should come apart easily enough, but it's not clear from the manual how the gas strut attaches - whether it's fixed to the base or the column. This video shows a bit more clearly how it's located: **LINK**