First Look: Budget Mini Mill Tramming Tool
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Just because you bought a mini mill, doesn't mean the table is "level" or trammed. In order to accurately level/tram the table to the mill head, one needs to use a precision tool.
Since I'm taking a machining class this semester at the local community college, I've learned how to tram a mill. This mill just happens to be a giant Bridgeport clone with all the bells and whistles. Quite a bit different than my basic mini mill. But I can still use the same process to tram my mill.
The brand name product this is a clone of is over $100 for just the indicator holder and as much as you want to spend for the indicator itself. I chose to go the budget path given my skill level as well as the caliber of my mini mill. An equitable trade off IMO.
This is the unboxing, first look and assembly. I must say I'm very happy with the finish of the tool holder as the item pic looked more cheesy than what showed up with the even coat of crinkle type black finish. Pleasant surprise.
The wrench is for getting the indicator's stylus off. You can get various length and shapes of stylii for them (obviously, though, a different length will change what the absolute reading is).
The extra clamping pin is to use the indicator with other holders, or in the spindle directly.
My experience with those anti-scratch plastic films that ship on products is that unless removed fairly quickly, they tend to degrade, bubble, and "weld" themselves to the surface that they are protecting. YMMV, of course....
Good info, appreciated. Never stop learning!
That's odd... usually they just loose packages. 🤔
Pssst. You're opening it wrong.
(you had to have seen _that_ one coming) 😜
or I'm just taking too long to open it for some folks, LOL.
It doesn't need to actually be _precise_ - just sensitive; as you are just trying to null-out the reading. For that purpose, the cheap one will work just as well as an expensive one; albeit perhaps not as nice-feeling in the hand.
Excellent point...precise vs. sensitive.