Today I hooked the cherry picker back up, installed longer bolts and lifted the head and column off of base. Very disappointed, this is the left hand side, looks like a junior high shop student used a hand grinder on the surface of the base that the column bolts to.
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
This picture show the high spots and low spots with a straight edge and a flash light. The left side was the first side I looked at, there were no more milling marks left, just uneven grinder marks, probably from a hand held grinder,
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
The column hasn't been ground on, appears flat,
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
This is the right side, you can see mill marks on the left hand side of this picture, but the right 75% of this mounting surface has had the hand grinder to it as well.
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
I used a few scotch brite pads, to knock down any loose material left behind. Lots of brake clean and towels, and both surfaces are now free of foreign material, I bolted it back together, tightened down hardware tight, and set up my indicator to recheck my front to back tram.
It measured the same as before,
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
My first thoughts was that the base was ground on to have the head trammed in to "serviceable" spec. But looking at the clues, grinding on the rear portion of the base, will tilt the column rearward making my readings read the exact way it is. I kind of think, if the base was like how it was machined the first time (before hand grinder), the head would be much closer to perpendicular and square like it should be.
I am getting the feeling I should return this machine and look for a good used Bridgeport. I was worried about my basement floor supporting a heavier machine, and at this point I'm ready to try and take the risk. I don't think I want another Grizzly, this has me worried of their quality control. Even if they offered to exchange for another one of the same model, just a bit gunshy. I also hate to let weeks and months pass, and before you know it, I'm stuck with something that should have never passed quality control.
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
This picture show the high spots and low spots with a straight edge and a flash light. The left side was the first side I looked at, there were no more milling marks left, just uneven grinder marks, probably from a hand held grinder,
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
The column hasn't been ground on, appears flat,
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
This is the right side, you can see mill marks on the left hand side of this picture, but the right 75% of this mounting surface has had the hand grinder to it as well.
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
I used a few scotch brite pads, to knock down any loose material left behind. Lots of brake clean and towels, and both surfaces are now free of foreign material, I bolted it back together, tightened down hardware tight, and set up my indicator to recheck my front to back tram.
It measured the same as before,
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
Untitled by redmech, on Flickr
My first thoughts was that the base was ground on to have the head trammed in to "serviceable" spec. But looking at the clues, grinding on the rear portion of the base, will tilt the column rearward making my readings read the exact way it is. I kind of think, if the base was like how it was machined the first time (before hand grinder), the head would be much closer to perpendicular and square like it should be.
I am getting the feeling I should return this machine and look for a good used Bridgeport. I was worried about my basement floor supporting a heavier machine, and at this point I'm ready to try and take the risk. I don't think I want another Grizzly, this has me worried of their quality control. Even if they offered to exchange for another one of the same model, just a bit gunshy. I also hate to let weeks and months pass, and before you know it, I'm stuck with something that should have never passed quality control.