The Problem: a limited y-axis working length on the stock milling machine

(Note: study the picture above or else the description below will sound wordy and make no sense)

The stock Sherline milling machine has a limited y-axis range due to work piece interference with the z-axis column mount. Even though the y-axis bed can move along the entire length of the lead screw, the real workable area is determined by the distance between the spindle centerline and the back of the z-axis column mount( labeled as the "y-axis true work length" above).  Riser blocks could be added to lengthen the distance between the spindle centerline and the z-axis column mount but this would put increase stress and friction on the z-axis dove tail. The project below improves on the y-axis true work length by using custom aluminum supports in place of the stock z-axis mount. The project also adds another significant improvement by allowing the milling machine to be easily converted into a lathe.

The Solution (side view)

Side-View Legend