Reply To: New Mill

david:

OK. First, I tightened the heck out of the spindle nut with the spanned wrench which came with the machine. I have done this before but never with this much force. Then I went through and checked the following with the gage. Here’s the results.

1) Checked inside the spindle with dental mirror – no debris. Cleaned with alcohol and lint free rag anyway.

2) Just about no run out on outside of spindle +- 0.0005” +-0.001” run out inside spindle

3) Cleaned and inserted 3/8” end mill holder with 3/8” end mill. +- 0.0005” run out on face of holder and +-0.001” run out

3) Cleaned and inserted 1/4” R8 Collet holder with 1/4” drill bit. +- 0.0005” run out on drill bit shank

4) Cleaned and inserted 0-1/4” ball bearing Jacobs chuck with 1/4” drill bit. Run out on drill bit shank +-0.0005”

5) Cleaned and inserted 1/4-1/2” drill chuck that came with the machine. Run out on drill bit shank +-0.002” (This thing has an obvious visual wobble)

To me, these numbers sound pretty darn good. The only thing I can think of that is different is the tightening of that nut. However, The tech guy told me that doing this would have no effect on the shaft alignment in the vertical.

I will be the first to say that my lack of experience could easily be responsible for the screwed up the drilling results. That, plus the obvious visual wobble of the locking bold and the big chuck that came with the machine are probably responsible.

What do you think? I do NOT want to have to crate this thing back up if I don’t need to.

Thanks!
Tom