Epoxy granite vertical mill build log

[Chaz]

Chaz, that might work, how much does it weigh? I am based in Yorkshire, where about are you based?

Just changed jobs, making very slow progress on the build at the moment.

Hi, its fairly heavy (estimated 300-400kg). Pity you arent closer, I'm in Uxbridge / Ickenham, West London, Near the M40 / M25.

Sure, happy to help if I can.

[Nick]

This is a bit delayed but I owe a big thanks to Chaz who has let me borrow his reference surface. It has been really helpful and I am not sure how I would of progressed without it. I tried to pick it up in a Fiesta, which unsurprisingly didn't work, thankfully it came on a pallet.

I've been making slow progress, I settled for an angle grinder for the cutting of the cast iron blocks, it took forever... I have managed to rough scrape all the surfaces for the column.



These blocks of cast iron are the ones highlighted below.



I have also scraped the main cast iron block.



They're not perfect but within 0.03 mm. I am making the mold and getting the inserts ready, I plan to cast the column next week. Just trying to work out how to drill 18mm holes through the 2 inch cast iron blocks, my drill press isn't up to it and I really don't want to have to buy a mag drill, I don't know if anyone has any other ideas?

Nick

[Chaz]

This is a bit delayed but I owe a big thanks to Chaz who has let me borrow his reference surface. It has been really helpful and I am not sure how I would of progressed without it. I tried to pick it up in a Fiesta, which unsurprisingly didn't work, thankfully it came on a pallet.

I've been making slow progress, I settled for an angle grinder for the cutting of the cast iron blocks, it took forever... I have managed to rough scrape all the surfaces for the column.



These blocks of cast iron are the ones highlighted below.



I have also scraped the main cast iron block.



They're not perfect but within 0.03 mm. I am making the mold and getting the inserts ready, I plan to cast the column next week. Just trying to work out how to drill 18mm holes through the 2 inch cast iron blocks, my drill press isn't up to it and I really don't want to have to buy a mag drill, I don't know if anyone has any other ideas?

Nick

Scrape Scrape Scrape ....

I was going to ask how you were getting on.

[routercnc]

Would the blocks fit on a lathe cross slide to drill the holes using a bit or boring head in the chuck?
Or the other way around with the block rotating on a lathe face place and bit or boring head in the tailstock?

[Nick]

Quick update

That was a great idea with the lathe cross slide although I couldn't quite get it to work, having issues with its size. I ended up getting a mag drill... Drilled 60 holes and tapped for the insert bolts.



Mould made and epoxy poured, all 150kg of it. Got it done in about 90 minutes with two of us. Had some slight issues, no vibration, we ran out of pigment towards the end and the mould blew out on one side. But overall went ok, if anyone wants more details on how to go about this I could write a more detailed post / video.



Will probably de-mould tomorrow.

[Nick]

It looks bigger out the mold

[Chaz]

It looks bigger out the mold

Lovely. Keep at it ....