Mill column fabrication
While the milling head was the most involved part of the build, the column was also time-consuming. Lots of drilling and tapping, as well as some machining, can really eat up some time.
Mill column parts.
I think everything here is fairly straightforward. The milled surface on the front top of the column is where the vise will be mounted. There is a bronze sleeve in the hole the the lug on the vise fits into. Although I don’t plan on rotating the vise often, I would prefer to minimize steel to aluminum contact, especially when those parts are moving.
Front view of assembled column.
Rear view of assembled column.
The column is held against the underside of the bed by two bolts that pass through a clamping bar. As the bolts are tightened, the clamping bar wedges between the webs that connect the two ways. It makes for a very rigid connection, and requires no drilling into or modification of the lathe. The clamping bar sits low enough that the tailstock can pass over it.
Clamping bar.
Column in place, with milling head and vise attached.
