For sometime now, I have been observing the commitment to excellence and detail exhibited on here. You guys are amazing. So, I thought I would show you how the rest of us (at least some of us) do things. Trying to attach some pics of my Taig mill enclosure. Not sure what will happen. But here are the details.
The pan is an old photo developing tray that had been stored in the garage for - oh, about 10 years. Drilled a 1/2 inch hole in the bottom to handle coolant return to a 5 gallon bucket containing a small pond pump. The Taig was just a little too deep for the tray so I raised it above the lip on 2" nylon blocks. Drilled through the blocks and workbench to make everything solid. Product called Plumbers Goop works as a great sealent, no leaks. Length wise, the tray works great. the Table (including steppers) can move to either extreme without hitting either side.
The enclosure is 1/8" Plexiglas that has been screwed to the sides of the pan (Plumbers Goop again, no leaks). Upper corners are held together with L-brackets. Did not have room for either horizontally sliding or hinged doors so I extended the to about 3 feet with 1/4" aluminum channel. I can raise the front cover straight up (its held up by small hooked springs, not fancy). Actually, it works very well. I can reach straight in and get to any part of the Taig or whatever part I am working on.
Not art, but very functional - and the price was right.
Bob @ BobsShop - Not associated with Plumbers Goop, Taig, or whatever company built the tray.