[cyclestart]

To me you are stiffening the column only, not preventing the weak pivot joint from flexing, that was my goal.

I abandoned the plan for a reason There's the germ of a good idea in there somewhere(?) but I won't try to defend the untested
My mill is in an enclosure so it's difficult to take a picture from the back but it's presently like this first drawing.
The upright part is bar stock that's been added to the rear of the column. The original reason for the bar stock was a need to mount ball screw supports.
Attachment 453096
The new plan is to buy a longer steel plate and an angle plate like this second drawing.
Attachment 453098
And that means altering the enclosure. If it wasn't for changing my mind I'd have no mind at all.