HF Mini mill as a drill press

balibalistic said:
I found that the transformer is broken.so i spent the $8 and ordered a new one!

Quick question guys: would something like this work ok for tramming these small machines??i dont want to shell out big money if i dont have to on a "good" test dial indicator and holder.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SPINDLE-HEAD-TR...yZ104242QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...

Even that is overkill, and I wouldn't spend the money on something of such limited utility. Most folks just use a dial test indicator attached to the spindle some how with an offset and sweep the table. That is a tool you ought to have anyway, and a low end (but workable) will still cost less than that.

There are different ways of doing this, that measure different things, but for your application I think something fairly simple would work well.

I'll try to take a picture of something tonight...
 
i just use a bent coat hanger :foot:
and some Pground plate
you can really only 'tram" the little mill left and right not for and aft (without shimming or honign )
 
I'm not overly worried about getting it bang on! as i intend to cover the entire table with an aluminum plate,then surface it with a 2" indexable.but the closer on tram i get it the less alu i have to remove :)

its just going to be a precision drill press,if i ever get it working!!
 
You can take a test indicator with a magnetic base, stick it to your spindle and sweep your table. It is a handy tool to have around. You can get them on sale at places like Enco.

sweep.jpg


This measures the perpendicularity of the axis of the spindle rotation to the table top surface. It is not measuring the squareness of the Z axis motion to the table top, nor directly measuring anything to the X and Y travels. In theory these things are all the same, but in reality they never are. But for your use it will work well.
 
Shawn, I have been following your power problem on the yahoo minimill forum. I know you have power now. Have you used your minimill yet? Give us an update.
 
Yea,i finally got the darn board ripped apart and the new transformer soldered in. hooked everything back up and she turned right on!!

I have yet to actually "use" it. first i have to figure out how to remove on of the gib screws that are broken off. its tight enough that i cant get it out,but loose enough i cant tighten my table down.i may have to try and drill it out with a small drill. i'll also need to shim the z axis a bit..,i tore the entire table off,properly tightened and set everything ect.

Basically,from the factory these are not fit for any precision use.this will be something i pick away at over the next couple months.i need to add angle plate to stiffen the column,add an air spring conversion kit.i've already added the belt drive conversion which is great!

It will make a great little precision drill press when all is said and done.but i badly have to get back to orders so i can afford to upgrade it :)

I'll keep thos thread updated if you's like?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top