Tramming my Round Column Milling Machine

During some recent face milling I realised that I never trammed my Milling Machine, it was clear in the result. I was getting 'irregular patterns on the work piece.
This went a lot quicker than I expected and I am really happy with the result.

Meaning of tramming:
Tramming ensures that the mill head is perpendicular to the mill table's X and Y axis. This process ensures that cutting tools and the milling surfaces are perpendicular to the table. Proper tramming also prevents irregular patterns from forming when milling.

[stevedavey]

One other point in addition to the ones others have made.

You shouldn't have used a drill chuck to mount your indicator. A drill chuck is not a precision toolholder and for this you need reasonable precision.

You should have used a collet (R8 or MT3, whichever taper you have in your spindle), or a collet chuck (these days that usually means ER, but whatever you have; Osborn or Clarkson or whatever)

[daveghil]

I used a little different technique on my RF 30....I rotated a dial indicator from left to right of the bed on the x axis without moving either x or y. Got it to within 0.002 inches with 3 layers of soda can shims. Did the same for y axis. Didn't try the test indicator with higher resolution yet but I think this is close enough for me.

[Jeff-jo]

They make an epoxy to do what you did without shims.

[georgedennison]

You could have edited/sped up much of the table mvt &/or sweep, especially since the dial can't be seen, (better lighting will improve detail images; inadequate light will cause blurred images as much as an out of focus lens.)

Combine the slow table mvt & sweeps w/ the music and, frankly, I had to backup a couple of times because I dozed off.

And this is something I NEED to learn & do for the 1st time.

[superpedro]

Once I installed my machine permanent I will be doing this, but for now thats on wheels should be fine for now. Thanks

[davidt]

It might just be me but I can’t see the dial of the indicator for the first part.

[robertwalker]

Mate, you need to move the indicator over the table not the table under the indicator. You are measuring the angle of the table not the head. If you can rotate the head instead of using shims. If there is no adjustment mechanism use a long bolt or some all thread and a nut as a jack, you an get it spot on in on time. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[williamcolaci]

Hello you tramming head only on x but in y you don't check....

[bobwanmorgan]

This is NOT tramming! Please educate yourself and perhaps repost an actual demonstration