Thread: Leveling Machines Using M12 Bolts, Nuts & Washers

M12 bolts should have no trouble holding a machine.
However, a bolt is OK underneath a WW bench but a machine will usually have some vibe so an M12 head alone might be too small and indent or wear away the floor?
A well as marking the floor the wear could be sufficient to unbalance the machine.
Proper hard rubber feet or a metal disc with a larger floor contact area would be better.

Something like this https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-x-Adju....c100005.m1851

They usually specify the max loading.

You can of course use pieces of hard rubber, like truck mudguard or conveyor belt rubber and put these under the M12 Bolt head.
Hardwood would also work on all but the most vibratory machines.

Can't see it being a problem if the bolts are fairly short. The bolts would be in compression with the load on them, so I couldn't imagine a failure.
You may need to put something between the bolt head and the concrete, or you may find the bolts digging in.

Regards
Keith

Cheers for the information

Having some large thick washers welded on the bottom off some bolts would be great.
Or has Bob suggested some thick hard rubber or timber just to spread the load.

Cheers Matt,

I have used threaded inserts and hex bolts in the bottom of work bench and out feed table to install them level. The trick is to use "Jam" nuts to lock the bolt in place. Since you already have a threaded hole put the jam nut on the bolt next to the head. The put the bolt into the leg. Adjust the bolts to level the machine. With a wrench on the hex head to hold the height adjustment, lock the jam nut against leg. The adjustment should last for decades.

Bunnings sell a M12 threaded non slip foot about 100mm long with a ball and socket so the foot can adjust to any floor slope

They look good

https://www.bunnings.com.au/richmond...-foot_p0078260

However the price is x4 times that the ones on eBay. It would cost me over $200 for my 5 machines.

If the machines need to be sure footed -- but not horizontal -- then you can get away with 3 or less feet per machine. In some cases you will only need one adjustable foot. I mean does it matter if the bed of the planer is not horizontal, as long as the machine dos not rock?

Also, are you sure all the machines take M12 thread and not 1/2 inch?



at $14 each, I think I'd buy a bag of cement and some coarse sand or hydrated lime and locally "level" the floor using a cement / mortar pad where each foot goes.
Wax paper should be an adequate bond breaker so down the track you will be able to readily remove the pads.
Keep your water:cement ratio to less than 0.4 if you can and cover while the cement mix cures.