01/18/2026
Trade tip: Machine base setup.
I am constantly learning during this life's journey and I feel if someone reads these tips and learns or teaches me something new, then it's worth posting. I have setup small machines before, 4,000 pound range but this was a bit different. 12,000+ pounds to be exact. So, we started with the base. We drilled a hole in the existing concrete to discover we only had 4.5 inches. If we wanted accuracy and repeatability, that was a risk I didn't want to take. Now we have saws, jackhammer, and a rocky base exhumed from the ground where it sat for 40+ years. I was happy to find a hard base 12 inches down. We went 1 foot outside of each base pad on the machine. Once the concrete was done and cured (28 days π€)
the setting of the machine was finally here.
Because of the weight, the forklift was large as well and we couldn't get the machine set on the pad like we wanted. So we decided to finish it up with machine skates. Even on skates the 12k pound machine does not want to move. We were lucky to have our small pallet stacker forklift so we could push and pull the mill just enough. Now, we have the machine in place and start the initial leveling of the base. I say initial because we don't have the power hooked up yet so we just went off the table. Later when we are powered up we will remove the way covers and use the ways for our level.
Speaking of levels, you can use your carpenter level for initial leveling but then you need to go to a machinist level. These levels are super sensitive. Each hash mark equals. 0002" over 10 inches. Our base has 6 leveling bolts. I mainly used the 4 outside corners for leveling. I would suggest using a Torque wrench so you can closer monitor the pressure you are applying to the bolts. Once you leveled (the best you can) the X and Y directions now go back and bring the 2 middle bolts up to pressure. Success, for now. Go back a day or two later and check again. Things take time to settle in. Once we power up we will check everything again. Thanks for reading!
Next time I will post machine pictures. I need to give it some love first. Like a bath. π