Thread: BM30A mill

Hi rodm,
Im sure you will be very happy with the BM-30A, hope your move-in goes smoothly, you seem to have it figured out well.

Sustoys
I have the BM-40V and the guard on it was like the BM-30, just bolted via spacer and longer allen head bolts to the cover for the quill feed. Its a bad design and think it was an after thought as they have to fit guarding on all new mills, it was the first thing that came off my mill when I got it.

.RC.
I like that right angle attachment you have for your mill. Do you have any details where to get them from as im interested if they can fit or be adapted to the BM-40V.


The BM-40A is a 3 Phase Mill and I am fitting a VSD as I have only Single Phase, I roughly wired it up for tests and works good. I am now fitting a new control box to side and a new box and swivel arm to accomodate the new controls, if any body is interested can post pictures of the conversion in progress.

Regards,
Keith_W

They an easy to come by item if you want a new one.... This one fits yours

https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M213

Mine came from ebay, but they are not that common on there..

Originally Posted by rodm

Wahooo the mill is ordered and going through their workshop inspection. I ended up with the single phase BM30A model. I have asked for it to be delivered next Wednesday and it will come on a Hiab Truck.

The skids have been welded and I just have to fit the castors. I'll post some photos later this week. I brought a 1200kg winch today with a 10.5:1 reduction and will be able to rig this up between two 100mm square posts that are 900mm into a cement footing. The posts are only 1600 mm apart so should be fine for holding the load. If the winch isn't a good thing I have a chain block I can use.

I have enough slings to reach the road so hopefully I have got it covered. Got to think about holding the mill while I remove slings and re-rig. Once up the driveway it is flat and paved to the shed. I keep going over the move in my head and hope that I have thought of everything.

Are you going to attempt to move it by yourself on Wednesday? Wednesday is sadly one of those days that I do work. I can be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I know you have to move it up into the carport when it is delivered and that is probably the hardest bit but once in the carport it could wait till the weekend. Let me know if I can be of any use to you Rod. I have a couple of lifting slings and a lever and a chain block along with some chain and hooks. I could bring that gear over this weekend.

BT

Hi Keith
Would be very interested to see your VFD and control modifications.

Hi Bob,
The driver is suposed to move it but he wants help. I supose it saves him employing an extra. I am making sure it will be possible as the driveway is going to be a problem and I don't want anyone getting hurt.
Any extra lifting, pulling gear would be great. I'll be home most of the weekend making room in the shed.

The skids welded up but yet to have the six inch castors attached. It would have been better to have two wheels on each end but this will work okay even if I have to weld something between them on the day. I plan on using load ratchet straps to draw the ends together. The castors have a combined load rating of 1600kg.
There is about 30mm clearance between the bottom angle and the ground so it should keep it low enough for the journey. The angle is 100X10 and a metre wide for loading the machine on.
I will show the other bits as they get made up.

Young Rod,

How do you plan removing the mill from the skids when you have it positioned in the shed?

BT

Hi Bob,
I have a portable gantry I could lift one end at a time. Failing that levers and blocks.
Fingers crossed.

Originally Posted by rodm

Hi Bob,
I have a portable gantry I could lift one end at a time. Failing that levers and blocks.
Fingers crossed.

The base of the BM-30A looks to be pretty small in relation to the mass above it. It will be much lower than the picture shows of course.

I have a similar problem when I finally move my new lathe into the shed but with some extra issues. I built a timber sled 2400mm long and 800mm wide with cross bars to add width. I was not going to let this lathe tip over again. I have to winch lathe onto trailer, take it over to my shed back entrance, winch it down off the trailer to ground level, thru shed extension / annex, right turn into main shed, across the floor and then push it against the end wall. Then work out how to remove the sled. I have 200mm bolts thru the sled from below into lathe mount holes. I could borrow some skates from work. Extra issues include 50+ year old uneven concrete in the shed and dirt floor outside the shed. I have a 15 tonne jack and I will look up ways to make a lifting jig. The sled timbers stick out at the tailstock end by 300 to 400mm. We did not want to cut them as they are intended for another project.

Dean

Hi Dean,
My move sounds easy compared to yours. Good luck with the shift.


To update this I have spent the day clearing out my machines to the patio but leaving access for the BM30 move to the shed.

You think you have it covered but a router table and bench that has my D bit grinder on will have to find a new place. They are currently housed in an area behind where the BM30 will sit and there is a possibility I may not be able to get them past the mill. Better to have them outside and if I can get them back to their original place all's good.

I am still deciding on the final location of the lathe. I also need at least 2400 behind the table saw to rip a full sheet. One of the problems of combining woodworking and metalworking.

Here is a progress shot of the move.

Originally Posted by rodm

The skids welded up but yet to have the six inch castors attached. It would have been better to have two wheels on each end but this will work okay even if I have to weld something between them on the day. I plan on using load ratchet straps to draw the ends together. The castors have a combined load rating of 1600kg.
There is about 30mm clearance between the bottom angle and the ground so it should keep it low enough for the journey. The angle is 100X10 and a metre wide for loading the machine on.
I will show the other bits as they get made up.

Yup !!! your scaring me

narrow base,

top heavy,

Can you jack your car up on those skates as a load test rodm ?

You will definitely have to weld something on each end to complete the rectangle and then you need to secure the mill to skate.

When lifting heavy expensive things overkill overkill overkill

good luck with it mate, if you ever come across an old clapped out forklift grab it, even if you only need to use it once every 6 or 12 months its worth it

Hi rodm,
I have been in the same situation that you are going through. I brought a similar sized mill a little while ago, moving them safely is a bit of a project. I decided to bolt mine on a dolly a bit wider than the base with casters fitted and after we moved it, removed the castors and replaced them with big height adjustable feet . I needed to raise the mill as I am fairly tall 6'2'' and don't like bending over.The actual move once the mill was bolted on to the trolley was a bit of a none event, it rolled that easy once you got it started, you had to hold it back. My floor had a slight fall in it and we had to put chocks in place to stop it rolling away by itself. We did lower the table right down and tilt the head over and rest it on a block of wood on the table to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible.
Good luck,
Bob

Thanks for your comments. I am not gun ho so I will be taking precautions as I see them.
The height will be dropped down as the head swivels 90 degrees which will bring the centre of gravity down. I'll also make sure the knee is at it's lowest postion.

The skids may not be used as I have paid for it to be delivered and brought into the shed. They are a backup plan and will be usefull one day to move things around if needs be. A mate dropped around today as he is helping tomorrow and he reckons no problem with the slope of the drive. He has moved a few machines in his time having owned a couple of machining businesses. I think I am imagining things that won't happen and having done all I can hopefully there will be a post of it in the shed tomorrow.

Bob,
Thanks for your post - it has lifted my spirits hearing how you did it. This is similar to what my mate said today so confirming it has eased my worry warts.
I have to learn to type quicker as your post hit while I was still typing.

Gqqood luck with the mill today Rod