Why is it advisable to level a benchtop mill? It's an X3 BTW. I do have a precision level, I'm more than willing to use it, but I don't see what difference it'll make ....

In the case of a lathe where you mount at either end of a long relatively narrow bed I can see the reasoning. It's not really a matter of "leveling" the lathe respective to the earth, what you're really doing is making sure the bed's not twisted.

Looking at the relatively short dovetails on the Y axis against the size of the base, I don't see the potential for a lot of distortion from bolting the mill down to a reasonably flat surface. Worst case on my particular surface is less than .030 off level and low at the left rear corner. The base seems to be in full contact on both sides.

But I also know that I don't know everything! If anybody can advise I'd like to know. Thanx.

SP