Tramming

[itchyTF]

I think I know the answer but figured I’d make sure. Got a Bridgeport and Kurt vise. Do you tram to the table or vise? I made a tramming device that can have either a 17” or 10” swing. If tramming to the vise wouldn’t I need a parallel bar 17+ or 10+ inches?

 

[LVLAaron]

Tram head to table.

 

[itchyTF]

Tram head to table.

I don’t know if this is the case, but if the bottom surface of the vise is not exactly parallel to the table wouldn’t that be a problem?

 

[boltfluter]

I don’t know if this is the case, but if the bottom surface of the vise is not exactly parallel to the table wouldn’t that be a problem?

Then you need a new vise or you can have it ground in.
Paul

 

[ridgeway]

Get a 5/32 collet, chuck your interapid in it and tram head on vice ways. No special fixtures needed

 

[itchyTF]

Guess my homework assignment is to check that.

 

[itchyTF]

I made the device mentioned above thinking the large swing would be beneficial (reduce error).

 

[Cloudrepair]

The one I made is only 5 inches wide and does just great. If what you made is the same tool as mine with two travel dial indicators you set with a surface plate

 

[Cloudrepair]

And it all depends on how flat your table is also.
If table is out .0015 from end to end flatness like most knee mills I've seen.
is each end consistently out.
is it out in the y also.
Have you checked the table flatness?
I always dial/tram in the table.
The vise should be flat or be parallel to the table.

 

[Cloudrepair]

Would you show a Pic of your device?

 

[paperpuncher]

I don’t know if this is the case, but if the bottom surface of the vise is not exactly parallel to the table wouldn’t that be a problem?

I would try dressing the mounting surfaces of the vise with a precision flat stone. Vise might have a small ding or burr keep on it from pulling down flat
PG Flat Stones

 

[shortgrass]

Tram the table in both X and Y. Make a set of soft jaws out of steel or aluminum, and cut 'um. As "perfect" as you're gonna' get,,,,, until you move the vise.....

 

[itchyTF]

Would you show a Pic of your device?

May take a little longer going back & forth but I only had 1 spare indicator. Had to work with what I had.

 

[LVLAaron]

Tram the table in both X and Y. Make a set of soft jaws out of steel or aluminum, and cut 'um. As "perfect" as you're gonna' get,,,,, until you move the vise.....

I've done that. Made some oversized jaws out of 7075. Skimmed the faces with a long end mill. Worked pretty good. If you're creative, you can get a set of built-in parallels in the jaws, if you're doing something specific.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Indicate, (tram), the head to the table, then invest in a vice that is true in all dimensions. Indicate the fixed jaw of the vase to the table.

You have to trust your tooling.

 

[butchlambert]

I use this.


As Jackie mentioned you them indicate the fixed jaw of your vise.

 

[xr650rRider]

2 different versions, same result. Top one will swing either side of vise and the indicator will turn 360 degrees.
Bottom one is Boring Research 3"-6".

 

[itchyTF]

2 different versions, same result. Top one will swing either side of vise and the indicator will turn 360 degrees.
Bottom one is Boring Research 3"-6".

View attachment 1575887

Top one is pretty much what I did.

 

[Cloudrepair]

Mine is similar to butchs.
I would take vice off the rotating part and bolt it directly to the table.
That is likely where the error is.
If not you may want to get a better vice

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I have never used anything but a magbase stuck to the spindle nose. I really don't see the need for anything more. Maybe I'm missing something. I don't work on any machines with an R8 spindle, though. Is the spindle nose too small to reliably hold a magbase?
And, yeah, tram the table.