Big Barn’s Retirement Farm Shop

the old grind · Apr 24, 2019

Re: Big Barn痴 Retirement Farm Shop

Gale, why don't I just leave the rotab on there when I bring my mill to trade for yours. :laughing: (You'd want to keep your DROs.)

I have a walkout downstairs and use the Terramite's stinger to fit machines through the sliding door. I suggest you tote the mill by removing the head at the column riser, splitting the weight nearly in half and where there's no tech to r & r the bits. (4 bolts) I doubt if either piece weighs nearly what it looks like, or half a thou'. You don't want it to travel upright and in one piece, anyway. I don't ever have the luxury of a helper when moving machines or safes, but always manage.

Use a few extra ratchet straps, an appliance dolly, and two college hunks if you have to go up stairs with the halves. I do use a 1-T HFT shop crane indoors vs tractors out, and I might have set the head back on by hoisting from the ceiling and rolling the base under it. (Big 'dowels' are still under it and it pulls out nicely to sweep/vac chips.) This pic is from when setting the 12" x 36" lathe (2010?). Lionel (TM) has since cost me ~1/3 of the room, so the small mill is tuck in by the near end of the lathe. Table at right is behind the G-9972Z, which never sat to a wall and does most turning work despite being 'plastic-rated' (my words).

Y'now ... I don't need the Palmgren rotab (have the box, too) nearly as much as I wish I had a column riser for my 12" x 28" Enco mill .....

Gale Hawkins · Apr 24, 2019

Actually the one ton HFT foldable engine lift might work but I have no way of getting one. The last item we ordered from their web only option took a couple months (900 pound rated mower lift) so that is not an option for this Saturday. I need to check and see if there is a moving company that supply staff by the hour in the Defiance MO area to help load it. I may go ahead and order the 1 ton since it folds up and I am not getting any stronger. When we get the old shop cleared out and cleaned up we will get a 2 ton model heavy duty floor version.

I did not know about the importance of a column riser version until I watched how much a stand version could wiggle when cranking it fast the other night on Youtube. The mill that we bought should be wiggle free if we can wiggle it out of that basement and get it home. I hate is is going into storage but that is best for now because I want the machine area well prepped and the house much be livable by Sept and it is still in the tear out stage. The son finishes his 2 year diesel program in three weeks so the house prep should move faster and he will help me some on the shop when I need a hand for a few minutes.

I will study your shop photo but I already saw your door. Where we live we have a basement with no outside exit but hot water tanks and heating units is all I plan to put down there and come out with.

Thanks for your thoughts on your rotab usage. I did use an indexing head years ago in shop class and thought it was awesome for gear cutting IF one counts correctly. I am sure more are purchased than get used much.

Big Barn · Apr 24, 2019

I’ve always meant to make one of these. A roller bearing pinch bar.

They would be great for repositioning and moving machines short distances. Or even prying up an end to get small diameter pipe rollers under the machine.

A copy of one of these is also a must.

Big Barn · Apr 24, 2019

I’m out of sorts today.....

the old grind · Apr 25, 2019

Re: Big Barn痴 Retirement Farm Shop

Terry, I could be jealous of a shop like yours, but I'm so happy for ya.

btw ... congrats! on managing/showing what you've worked for and earned. :thumbsup:

Gale, I was pretty 'out there' showing my 'Goldilocks' install situation compared to yours being so opposite in ease of access/logistics. Humble apologies for showing off at possibly your expense.

I want to be encouraging, .. wish I could be more geographically relevant, and am sending you a PM that I hope will ease the challenge.

IMO, it's good that you expect, and will prepare for a bigger job than IMO it should be. (separate: head, motor, riser, vise, for the wt ..

) Fingers crossed that you find it o'all easier than you feared, and can spin a few wrenches quickly to then move smaller pieces at a time thru' the maze.

Terry, thanks so much for letting us wander a bit in your thread.

Those of us with manual metalworking machines have no limits but our shared knowledge and confidence in using them. Let's help each other in our workshops like we do with our tractors. "Make chips, Boys!" :laughing:

PS: Gale, I suggest spraying table & ways with 2-stroke 'fogging oil' or aerosol 'Rem Oil' (TM) when you store the mill. The plastic covers I use are only for dust in a 24/7/365 climate-controlled room (max 45% humidity) and are not advisable in most shops. Tyvek or Wraptor & not a 'dampish' place if you can.

Big Barn · Apr 25, 2019

the old grind, thank you and please feel free to continue contributing. Your input and that of others is more than welcome here!

Gale Hawkins · Apr 25, 2019

Big Barn said:
the old grind, thank you and please feel free to continue contributing. Your input and that of others is more than welcome here!

Thanks for letting us tag along following your big barn project. A thread that runs like a beagle chasing a rabbit is fine with me as long I can see one or both of them.

Clearly number one in my current view is we each have to come up with our own "Big Barn" to get started even if it is a basement with no outside exit. I am glad we found the place with a 50x50 old shop that was solidly built as a starting point even though the exterior and interior needs a lot of attention. The better the starting space the better the outcome until we run out of space AGAIN. Turn key fully equipped shops are out there if one has as a good home to move them to after the purchase. I saw a small forklift on the side of the road that got my attention.

Big Barn · Apr 25, 2019

It’s the Little Things
Part 2 The Big Coverup.

I buy this rubber checker plate matting at Princess Auto when on sale. It is sold by the foot. 1/8” thick x 40 inch wide. I’m sure it is available at Harbor Freight stores or similar.

I’ve used it on the top surfaces of welders I’ve resold to hide the dents and scratches from former owners.

I now glue them on my own welders as it provides an attractive non slip work surface.

Also they cover the holes on the bases of my drill presses to prevent chips from accumulating in them.