The way I see it, you problem is "How to get a 700 lbs mill down some stairs and into the basement correct?
Then my advice is to first, carefully position the 700+lbs mill at the top of the stairs. Then give it a good push...
I have run the numbers and there is a 1 out of 300 chance that the mill will just "skid" down the flight of stairs and "slide" over to the basement wall where you wanted it...
Okay, I know what you are thinking,,,you are thinking that you would never ask the mill to do something that you would not also be ready to do yourself.
So in that case, I would suggest that you find yourself a good football helmet and then climb on top of the mill as it sits at the top of the stairs,,,Look for something good on the mill to hang on to..., then ask your wife, "Say Love, could you please give me a little push?"
Now, as you ride the wild ride down the stairs, you may come to question my advice about the 'correctness" of this system. But trust me, this is the way John Wayne would have done it.
Now some may suggest breaking-down the mill into less heavy parts and carrying them down the stairs. However if you go that way, I would suggest that you make sure each part weighs less that about 120lbs.
You have to remember, you will forget to turn on the light on the stairs and the 120lbs is the limit that most people can handle with one arm and a hip as the struggle to turn on the light switch.
I guess I should warn you about one more thing,,,lets say you break-down the mill into different parts and the first one you lift is very heavy still, but you start down the stairs with it, then you notice that you forgot to turn on the stair lights...Right then a little man dressed in red will appear next to your ear and wisper to you "Dont stop, you can make it, you dont need to turn on any fool lights,,,Go For It!" (Remember he is not called the Prince of Darkness for nothing)
and you do attempt to keep stepping down the stairs carrying the too heavy part into the darkness....
and when you fall, and tumble to the basement floor and notice that you are now pinned under the mill and whats left of the basement ping-pong table..., and you call up to your wife, and she appears at the top of the stairs,,,and you hear the "click" of the light switch allowing her to see you in all your manly glory,,,right then if you look closely at the ear of your wife, you may just be able to see that same little man dressed in red, wispering into her ear....
. I was wondering if a mill can be taken apart into move-able pieces . I would like to get a mill that is big enough to get some work done(~700#); slotting guards, milling shoulders, and slotting handle material. I don't want to fall through my stairs carting it to the basement though 
. If they can't be taken down, how the hell do you move those things 
?! 
