Bennchtop machine riser blocks, will this work?

[LLCoolBeans]

Fellow CPF meatalmunchers,

I need to raise the height of my mill off my bench by about 4-6". At benchtop height, where it is now, causes me to have to do a lot of hunching over when working at the machine, which in turn causes me to experience a fair ammount of unneccicary back pain.

The only way I can figure to accomplish this easily is to use big wooden riser blocks. For instance made of: 4x4 or larger dimensional lumber.

These would need to be placed on top of the chip pan (which would be at benchtop height), so I'm wondering how a material like douglas fir will stand up to cutting oil, for example. Not that I use a whole lot of cutting oil. I do not use an flood or mist coolant system.

Just checking to see if this is a bad idea, before I make it this weekend's project.

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

You could probably use rectangular steel tubing instead of wood. That would work just as well, or better.

 

[LLCoolBeans]

You could probably use rectangular steel tubing instead of wood. That would work just as well, or better.

Sure, but 4" square tubing, where am I going to find that in town?

The current plan is to use large wood blocks with steel plates on top.

 

[precisionworks]

but 4" square tubing, where am I going to find that in town?

4x4 square tube isn't expensive (in the thinner wall thickness). If you can wait a few days, order it here:

http://www.metalsdepot.com/products/hrsteel2.phtml?page=sqtube&LimAcc= &aident=

They show 4' of 4 x 4 x 11 gage (.120" wall) at $43.08 + shipping, which you can calculate on their site. Order today & you'll probably have it by the end of next week.

 

[Mirage_Man]

I was going to use 4"x4" square tubing on the top of mine but had issues getting the mill up on the stand even without them. Now that the machine is up there I may try to get them underneath the machine somehow. Even with nearly 8" of rise on the bottom I have to bend over to look at the work. I'm 6'5" tall though .

Here's what the original plan was and how it is now.