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Leveling Mounts: A Quick Overview

You may have heard of a leveling mount, but what exactly does it do, and why does it matter to have one in your industry?  A leveling mount plays a key role from manufacturing cars to processing consumable products, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs. 

If you want to learn more about how a leveling mount can benefit your business, Reid Supply is here to fill you in. Here is a brief overview about this tool.

In this article we will take a closer look at:

1. What is a leveling mount?
2. How do leveling mounts work?
3. How to choose the right leveling mount
4. Summary

 

What is a leveling mount?

Also known as leveling feet, leveling mounts come in many different styles and designs. They level workpieces or machinery so it will be easier to perform a task accurately. Since the ground or the floor of the jobsite may not be leveled, you will need to stabilize a machine and ensure that the workpiece is flat.

Variations in floor levels may lead to inaccuracies when you are performing a task such as milling, grinding, or boring. To solve this, it’s important to install a leveling mount under the feet or base of the machine. Through proper leveling using a leveling mount, you can align machine components for greater precision.

In addition, a leveling mount also provides optimal vibration control. When you are handling a workpiece, vibrations produced by the machine will affect output quality. Moreover, excessive vibrations have the potential to damage equipment and cause injury.

Installing a leveling mount is one way to dampen machining vibration. In heavy-duty applications, machinery mounts can also help reduce noise and stress on machinery parts. If you want to reduce maintenance and repair costs in the long run, get high-quality machinery mounts for all of your assets. You can also use leveling mounts on shelving, appliances, conveyors, and workbenches.

How do leveling mounts work?

Leveling mounts are designed to create a level surface for operating a machine or handling a workpiece. Typically, they consist of a stable base made from stainless steel, neoprene, or other rigid materials. A shaft (also called a leveler) is attached to the base. This can be adjusted to different angles and heights until the desired level is reached.

While some leveling mounts feature a solid base, some designs feature articulating swivels. This allows the base to be adjusted into a fixed position using a washer. Other designs feature ball-and-socket components and a steel stud and insert that allows for solid levelling. For extra stability, leveling pads and leveling accessories such as fasteners.

You might want to look for non-skid rubber pad accessories to get the most value for your money. These pads can provide added protection to levelers and prevent movement and skipping during a task. Ribbed and waffle anti-vibration pads are particularly useful for absorbing shock. 

In any case, leveling mounts can reduce the risk of injury and prevent wear-and-tear in your machines. You just need to pick a leveling mount that’s ideal for certain applications. In the next section, we will go over a few tips to help you pick the right leveling mount for your needs.

How to choose the right leveling mount

There is a lot that goes into picking a leveling mount that matches your requirements. From the material to the loading capacity, you need to consider each factor in order to get the most value. To help you with this, here are a few questions you will need to ask yourself:

What type of material should you need?

Leveling mounts can come in a variety of materials. Depending on the application you are using it for, you need a leveling mount that makes the job easy and quick.

When it comes to the material, you can start with the most basic. Steel machinery mounts are ideal for most applications. They are also the most common type of material for leveling mounts. For basic machining applications, using a steel base will suffice. You can also match these mounts with carbon steel levelers and yellow zinc-plated components for extra resistance to oils, grease, and other fluids.

For extra protection against corrosion, you might want to opt for stainless steel mounts. Stronger than standard steel, stainless steel is highly durable. Though heavy, the material can accommodate higher loading capacities compared to other types of mounts. Light duty applications require the use of a plastic base that is lightweight and provides excellent vibration isolation. If you need something lightweight yet durable, go for a mount with a Delrin base.

It would be best to consider the complexity of the application itself if you are looking for a mount that helps you with the task at hand. For heavy duty machining applications, a mighty mount leveler will do you good.

Do you need an adjustable or fixed leveling mount?

It’s crucial to choose between an adjustable leveling mount and a fixed one. One type of mount may not be ideal for certain applications. A leveling mount with a solid base is great if you want to achieve perfect vibration and shock resistance. However, you lose out on flexibility. Low profile mounts are a perfect example of this due to their height restriction. Since it’s fixed, you can’t change the articulation of the machine or object you are handling.

In almost all industries, a leveling mount with a threaded stud gives you greater flexibility. Not only can you adjust the height, but adjustable mounts allow you to handle a workpiece or machine on uneven surfaces. In addition to this, you have a wider range of metric sizes and styles for this type of mount. Some variations may include a snaplock while others may feature threaded tube ends.

Which manufacturer will you choose?

After picking the right type of leveling mount you need, you will need to find a manufacturer that produces. You won’t have to look far since there are numerous brands that carry your preferred mount. These include companies like S&W Manufacturing and J.W. Winco. No matter what you choose, Reid Supply has the components you need.

Summary

Leveling mounts are crucial to ensuring the quality and efficiency of your machining process. You just need to pick the right type of mount, along with the right supplier.

At Reid Supply, we are committed to helping you find the right parts for your line of business. If you need leveling mounts for machining and other applications, take a look at our catalog. In case you can't find the products you need, give us a call at 1(800) 253-0421 or send an email to sales@reidsupply.com. We’ll help you source the right mounts from the right manufacturers.