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Ceiling Height for Milling Machine

tclaunch

Silver $$ Contributor
I am thinking hard about building a shop in my back yard. I will be shopping for a mill when complete. I'm going with metal building so I need to know proper ceiling Height for operating a milling machine. Thanks
 
A j head knee mill is about 7'3" tall If you add a riser adjust accordingly. Its nice to be able to remove the drawbar without having to cant the head but not an absolute necessity . I have 9" ceilings in my shop works out fine unless I wanted to install a car lift, which I sorta wish I had the older I get.
 
10 feet in my shop. Note the vertical mill in the back ground, the motor has been replaced with a larger 2 hp DC motor.

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The extra ceiling space is very handy for storage:

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On your new shop, insulate, insulate, and insulate some more. Otherwise you will have problems with condensation and rusting of the machinery.

I studded my shop with 2x6's and stuffed with blown in insulation. Attic space is totally full of insulation. 5/8 wall board, Hardy on the outside. Interior painted white for maximum light reflection. Takes very little heat in the winter and is cool in the summer.
 
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In 2015 I gave my Rockwell 21-100 mill to a hunting buddy and bought a 1969 Bridgeport.
I had to lift it up off the shipping pallet. I lifted with an engine hoist. I almost ran out of headroom.
 

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10'-3" here.

Just a headsup;

Masonary scaffolding can be used/abused to very safely pick up tall skinny "stuff". Appropriate materials for the "header" and then chain hoist(preferably)or a come along.
 
I ended up with a shop in the basement. The walkout allowed for the mill to be squeezed in with the head inverted. As others have mentioned drawbar removal, thus far I haven’t needed to do that. Stays climate controlled naturally and I run a dehumidifier during the summer. No rust concerns, oil monthly but no worries. My wife isn’t a big fan of the smell after using cutting oil lol.
 

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I am thinking hard about building a shop in my back yard. I will be shopping for a mill when complete. I'm going with metal building so I need to know proper ceiling Height for operating a milling machine. Thanks
Might want to check out Butch’s mill. Go to first page.
BP Mill
 
When you start smoking the cutting oil, a 10 ft. ceiling will be
your friend..... :rolleyes: Nice to have a little head room to run a
good vent.
 
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