Moving a CNC Machine in the Rain

the average Joe · Dec 6, 2022

I'll be moving a cnc lathe this Friday, but there is a 20% chance of rain in the forecast. I can't really delay the machine pickup, so I'm stuck moving it rain or shine. Literally.

I was planning on bagging up the main control in the front, and then pallet wrapping everything else really well. When I get it to the shop, I'll double check everything for water intrusion/moisture before I hook it up and power it on.

Am I missing anything?

Milland · Dec 6, 2022

Before the move, do stuff like oil the table and bare steel/iron, throw some packs of silica gel (moisture absorber) into cabinets/enclosures, and be sure to tarp twice - a heavy plastic sheet as a water barrier, and a canvas cover for durability during the move.

If the machine does get wet, buy one or two household dehumidifiers and a large tarp you can throw over the machine at the new location (don't use the one that's already wet). Have all the cabinet doors open after wiping down any obvious moisture then tarp over (with the dehumidifier inside, of course), and let it sit for a bit to dry it out.

dcsipo · Dec 6, 2022

Cover the electrical cabinet well. If you find a plastic bag that fits over the electrical cabinet, put that on. I would also get some sheeting

Husky 20 ft. x 25 ft. Clear 4 mil Plastic Sheeting RSHK420-25C - The Home Depot

HUSKY 20 ft. x 25 ft. plastic sheeting is a general-purpose plastic film for use in a variety of construction and DIY applications. This sheeting can be used as a vapor barrier in between drywall and insulation. Also commonly used as a drop cloth or a temporary cover for equipment and supplies.

www.homedepot.com

Cover the whole machine on the palette with it and shrink wrap around the base.

Hire a group of rain dancers and ship them to the next state.

michiganbuck · Dec 6, 2022

Guess I would tarp it and wait for a dry day .. if a dry day was close.

Garwood · Dec 6, 2022

I spray some oil on the shiny exposed steel surfaces and that's it.

Once inside the shop I wipe off anything important looking, open all the cabinets and let the moisture evaporate for a few days. Then I wire it in and put it to work.

Sometimes I even powerwash or steamclean the hell out of them while they're still on the trailer.

Water won't hurt the electronics if you dry it before powering on. Humidity formed under a tarp is just as bad, maybe worse, than just raining on it. Most CNC's are covered in a waterbased coolant concentrate sludge that melts a little in the rain. The rain kinda helps wash that shit away. Keep water out of the hydraulic tank and way lube tank. You'll have a very hard time getting water in the ways. They are very well protected. CNC's are a SOB to strap down and tarp. I just skip the tarp part and have never regretted it.

cmccull166 · Dec 6, 2022

I see boats sit outside all winter long here in Pennsylvania with a blue shrink
wrap it must be rather durable .
Contact a boat storage facility?

john.k · Dec 7, 2022

Cover the electrics,the rest wont be hurt by a bit of rain.

BT Fabrication · Dec 7, 2022

Ive had to used covered flat decks to move equiptment, was a couple $ more but most large tow companies will have them. And 20% chance is a small/ basically no rain.
move things all the time with 30-50% chance of rain.

DDoug · Dec 7, 2022

"Drive real fast"......

Ox · Dec 8, 2022

You could just fetch a blue tarp next size bigger'n your machine footprint. Drape it over the whole thing, and tie it down to the machine if possible, but likely not many places to tie to.

In that case, what I have seen camper folk doo, is they will use milk jugs or whatnot filled with - something other than old milk I guess, and then tie off to that. In your case, the milk jugs could be tied above grade so that they go with the machine.

That should be good enough to last until the load gits tarped on the trailer.
I wouldn't go down the road in this fashion.

If just drizzel or whatnot, go with the guys posts above.

-------------------

Think Snow Eh!
Ox

604Pook · Dec 14, 2022

I tried the big shrink wrap boat stuff last month moving two machines. Was a 6.5 hour snow and salt road trip for them through the mountains.

My smallish 120v industrial heat gun wouldn't shrink it. Could just do small areas at a time.

Ended up using it like a tarp. Some shrink wrap to hold that tight, then another real tarp, then a ton of shrink wrap.

BT Fabrication · Dec 15, 2022

604Pook said:
I tried the big shrink wrap boat stuff last month moving two machines. Was a 6.5 hour snow and salt road trip for them through the mountains.

My smallish 120v industrial heat gun wouldn't shrink it. Could just do small areas at a time.

Ended up using it like a tarp. Some shrink wrap to hold that tight, then another real tarp, then a ton of shrink wrap.

thats where they use 500K btu propane torches...

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Moving a CNC Machine in the Rain

the average Joe

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Milland

Diamond

dcsipo

Diamond

Husky 20 ft. x 25 ft. Clear 4 mil Plastic Sheeting RSHK420-25C - The Home Depot

michiganbuck

Diamond

Garwood

Diamond

cmccull166

Hot Rolled

john.k

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BT Fabrication

Stainless

DDoug

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Ox

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604Pook

Aluminum

BT Fabrication

Stainless

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