01-13-2018, 05:35 AM
(11-04-2017, 10:09 PM)Cross Slide Wrote: I have a Post Style milling machine. I got the unit set up a few weeks ago, but haven't used it yet. Today I decided to install my milling vise. I'm finding it very hard to get the fixed jaw on the vise set true to the quill. I keep getting different readings across the 5.25" vise jaw.
Is there a easy way to tram a Post Style Mill?
You want your vice to be parallel with the slots. Here is a very fast and easy way to do this.
Get a piece if steel about 8" longer than your vice and about 6" wide and 1/4" or thicker . The steel must be flat as possible for accuracy. Now with the vice on the table ,install the steel centered in the vice. You will cut a notch in the steel so it can sit in the table slots. When done it will look like an upside down U shape or a C on its side.
Deburr the edges you cut and install it in the vice. You will have to pack out the steel with paralells ,123 blocks or whatever. If I recall I use one 123 block and four 1/8" thick parallels ,two 1/32" parallels on my vice for packing.
The idea is to tighten the steel against the packing and the pull the vice with the steel in the slots toward you until both sides of the steel contact the edge of the slots. Now tighten the vice hold down nuts.The vice is now extremely close to alignment.
When I first used this method yeas ago I intended it to be a quick and dirty alignment that got me close. Then I would use an indicator to get it right. I have found that this method is close enough that I do not bother with the indicator.
Once you get the hang of it you can install your vice in less than 5 minutes , probably more like 3 minutes.
I showed this method to a friend, he made his notched piece of MDO (medium density overlay) because he had no steel on hand of the proper size. He said it worked well enough for him that he still uses it. He does use an indicator when accuracy is needed.
Don't be concerned with the round column on your mill. You do not have to tram this mill. Just align the vice to the slots. When moving the head up or down the spindle center will be off, just move the X and Y axis back to center on your part. I am assuming you are not familiar with milling? X is the long way and Y is the short way. Z is the head up and down . If you have any problems e-mail me.
I do not claim to be an expert but have solved many of the problems new hobby machinists run into on their mills.
When you make as many mistakes as I have in the past you got to learn something to correct them
mike