Question about my mill.

[contraptioneer]

My question is how do you tram a mill with a fixed head ?

   

This is the mill in question and if you look close you will see that head, column and base are all one casting.
All I have been able to do so far is to try to tram the vise ??

[Roadracer_Al]

You would tram the vise to get it parallel to the X axis.

You would not be able to tram the head at all.

If you measure the mill and find the head to be out of square to the table, you'd have to first figure out where the inacuracy is located - the table or the ways - then fix it at the source.... not at the head.

[TomG]

If there is a joint between the column and table casting, it could be shimmed to get the spindle perpendicular to the table. How do you know it is out of tram?

Tom

[contraptioneer]

The mill originally was used on a farm and had some pretty hard use, it then sat outside in Michigan weather for several years albeit with a tarp covering it.  A dial indicator shows it is out right at .004 in 14 inches on the X axis from .000 on the plus end to .004 on minus end of travel.

[contraptioneer]

Oops. Also there is no joint between table and column. One solid casting.

[TomG]

Tram is defined as the perpendicularity of the spindle to the table. It is checked by swinging an indicator across the surface of the table, or ground parallels laying on the table. If the head is in tram, the indicator should read the same at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 as it is swung. The variation you are measuring by running the table under an indicator presumably held in the spindle is something different, most likely wear on the gibs or ways of the X axis. Try tightening the gib and see if it improves. If not, the ways are likely worn and will have to be scraped or re-machined to regain the lost precision.

Tom

[contraptioneer]

I understand tram and my thinking with an  immobile head is if there is any problem it would be in either wear of gibs or of the ways. Next problem! I have not as yet found any way to adjust the gibs. No set screws or bolts. Have also been unsuccessful in finding any info on the machine other than that it was manufactured by the Taylor and Finn co. Out of Hartford Connecticut and the one I have was made between 1941 and 1942. I will say that I have not stripped the machine of all the old paint and possible filler to look for anything that may have been painted over in the passed but there is nothing obviously visible in the way of adjustment. It may be that I am simply missing something and will require more investigation.

[Hawkeye]

While this one is not exactly the same, it does have some similarities, including the belt drive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf0MVdoh5-Q

Take a look around this site: http://www.lathes.co.uk/taylormiller/ He tends to have information you can't find elsewhere. If you do find specifics on your mill, you can sent it to him and he'll post an article on yours.

[contraptioneer]

Hello Hawkeye, I have been on the UK. site but never thought about sending info on my mill. I first checked out the UK. site when I was looking for info on my lathe.
 The mill did not have a drive belt when I got so I made one from a 2 inch wide binding strap. Have had it on the machine for better than a month now and have put probably 10 or 12 actual running hours on it with no sign of wear or problem.

 The mill in the video is very similar though a bit smaller casting. Table and travels also look similar to mine. I have been looking at a few other mills a bit less antique and would like to get something that has a bigger table and travel though I will have to make do with this one for a while. It is certainly good enough to learn on and gain experience with.

[contraptioneer]

Well it took pretty much standing on my head and a considerable amount of mining through several layers of crud and paint but I did find the gib screws and was able to get some adjustment. Enough to get it down to just under .002 in 14 inches of travel.