Mini mill riser block

Hi all

I would be interested to have some feedback on your thoughts, experience or comments on fitting a 50mm riser block at the base of the column of a mini mill to add a bit more distance between the spindle and table.

thanks

Bob

Good idea, you might even consider 75mm , but the existing height, quill movement and lowest clearance while milling very low work have to be taken into consideration.

Bob,

I will keep an eye on this thread. I have a Chester 16V with quite a restriction on the spindle table distance - specially if I try to use a rotary table with 3 jaw chuck and drill chuck. I usually need to transfer over to my bench drill.

The column is detachable - so it is possible (a spacer) but spacers would also be needed to raise the vice to ensure the milling cutter goes low enough - as old mart points out.

Phil H

Or to put it another way.

You may need a raiser block for the milling vice as well for some small jobs

Hi Phil H

I think there will be adequate travel on the spindle. I'm looking to overcome similar issues when I'm using a rotary table in the horizontal or vertical. I bought an 80mm swivel vice at the Ally Pally, and it's great, but has reduced the clearance I have a bit more than my old vice.

Or buy a vise with a rotating base - or rather one that is mounted on a base. Most discard the base for sundry reasons.🙂

You get the best of both worlds having a raiser block for the vise as well as the column. On a small mill, both blocks could be made from aluminium. A swivel base for a vise comes come in useful occasionally, and, as mentioned, adds height. Most vises with a base will fit on the table without the base. 

Edited By old mart on 29/01/2020 21:13:00