Ceiling Height for Milling Machine

[tclaunch]

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

 

[paperpuncher]

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.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

10 foot ceiling and you should have it covered with room to spare.

 

[tclaunch]

Thank you gentlemen!

 

[Machinist John]

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.

The extra ceiling space is very handy for storage:

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.

 

[tclaunch]

Great ideas, thank you.

 

[Clark]

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.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Nice looking mill- congrats!

 

[Bill Rodolph]

Being a retired metal building salesman, you probably won't find a pre engineered building with less than a 10' eave height. That is what mine is and it is plenty high for my mill.

 

[Intheshop]

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.

 

[Jonathan Zimmerman]

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.

 

[itchyTF]

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

 

[Fuj]

When you start smoking the cutting oil, a 10 ft. ceiling will be
your friend..... Nice to have a little head room to run a
good vent.