Tramming PM 833tv

[matthewsx]

I'm living with mine just not happy with it and I know it's not going to get better then what it is now..
Just like my 1st Hubby I knew what jobs I could get him to do and what job/things I was on my own with..

Much easier to replace this kind of tool....

The only machine tool I bought new was a 3 in 1 that was absolute junk. Happy to have my string of used machines that I got cheap and recondition on my own terms.

John

 

[frank13]

I was able to shim the column slightly. There was already a shim there from the factory, I added to it slightly. I ended up out .001 on the x and y axis over 6 inches and got the head dead on I think. Going to play around with it a bit and see how it goes.

 

[qualitymachinetools]

Tamm63, have you let us know about problems you are having? I am not sure who you are thats why I ask. I have done so much work with this factory over the last couple of years with fit and tolerance of ways and the whole machine, they have trained employees and made so many adjustments to quality control, there should be zero issues. No its not going to be like a jig more but it should be very very reasonable, within a few thousandths, no more than that. If you have not let us know please do so we can get it solved. I don't think you guys understand how much I want every single machine to exceed everyone's expectations. I am CONSTANTLY on and on and on these people at factories about QC and making the best machine they can make. And it really gets to me when I hear that something is not what is should be. Most people seem to love the 833, we sell almost 1000 of them per year.
But if there is an issue, I definitely want to know about it and fix it. Not only for you, but so I know for the future if they are trying to pass something along that isn't right. Seriously if something is not right, please let us know. And let them know that Matt said to contact, I want to see it and see what the problem is here.

 

[frank13]

Tamm63, have you let us know about problems you are having? I am not sure who you are thats why I ask. I have done so much work with this factory over the last couple of years with fit and tolerance of ways and the whole machine, they have trained employees and made so many adjustments to quality control, there should be zero issues. No its not going to be like a jig more but it should be very very reasonable, within a few thousandths, no more than that. If you have not let us know please do so we can get it solved. I don't think you guys understand how much I want every single machine to exceed everyone's expectations. I am CONSTANTLY on and on and on these people at factories about QC and making the best machine they can make. And it really gets to me when I hear that something is not what is should be. Most people seem to love the 833, we sell almost 1000 of them per year.
But if there is an issue, I definitely want to know about it and fix it. Not only for you, but so I know for the future if they are trying to pass something along that isn't right. Seriously if something is not right, please let us know. And let them know that Matt said to contact, I want to see it and see what the problem is here.

I have no complaints with the machine and am very happy with it. My issues were totally related to my complete lack of any background in machining. My initial problems were that one of the dial indicators I was using on my tramming tool was off and I didn't catch it. After that it was just a couple gentle taps on the head to get it lined up and adding a shim to the ones that were already there from the factory. to get everything squared. I only wish I had the extra cash for the power feeds. I am figuring out the DRO but think it is a must have addition from what I have done so far.

 

[rronald]

I've just gotten around to tramming and could use some expertise.

I started out tramming the X-axis movement by adjusting the head tilt. Pretty straightforward. At one point I had it down to 1 micron over 24" (which is a bit humorous since I'm pretty sure my measurement tools aren't really that good). None the less, I could essentially get really close to perfect.

However, nothing is all that independent. When I looked at nod, it was much worse. I was off by .0035" over 8 inches. That value doesn't seem too terrible compared to other folks who have posted. Kinda at the edge of acceptability. And I didn't want to shim or epoxy the column. Fortunately, I then found a post from MLab (Dan T) at
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/pm833tv-alignment-question.103120/page-2#post-998245 where he describes attaching the top of the column to the wall. With a little bit of tension on the rods (pulling the top of the mill towards the wall), I could dial the nod away. I really like this method as it allows easy adjustment. I can probably tram in both planes in about an hour now should I need to do so again. And I'm pretty darn close both locked and unlocked.

Of course, I had to go back and adjust the x-axis a little bit, but I was starting to feel like I was getting close.

But then I watched David Best's video about setup and tramming that indicated I ought to start by verifying that X and Y table movements are perpendicular. Unfortunately, they do not appear to be as close as I would like. The following picture shows my setup. The square is a Kinex 8x5" that is supposed to be square within .0007" (20 microns). I got Y to move w/o deflecting the indicator.....and then put the indicator on X and set it to zero before moving over 8". Appears that I'm .01mm out of square every for about every inch. That would be close to 1/4mm with the full table travel if I'm doing the math correctly.

So, now I'm wondering what my next step is? Start looking at the gibs? I know zero about them.

RR

.

 

[Tammy63]

Tamm63, have you let us know about problems you are having? I am not sure who you are thats why I ask. I have done so much work with this factory over the last couple of years with fit and tolerance of ways and the whole machine, they have trained employees and made so many adjustments to quality control, there should be zero issues. No its not going to be like a jig more but it should be very very reasonable, within a few thousandths, no more than that. If you have not let us know please do so we can get it solved. I don't think you guys understand how much I want every single machine to exceed everyone's expectations. I am CONSTANTLY on and on and on these people at factories about QC and making the best machine they can make. And it really gets to me when I hear that something is not what is should be. Most people seem to love the 833, we sell almost 1000 of them per year.
But if there is an issue, I definitely want to know about it and fix it. Not only for you, but so I know for the future if they are trying to pass something along that isn't right. Seriously if something is not right, please let us know. And let them know that Matt said to contact, I want to see it and see what the problem is here.

I will give you a call when I get back from our trip I would love to have a mill that works better then this one. Thank you..

 

[davidpbest]

Pull the gibs, inspect them for flatness, and stone them to remove burrs. Then reinstall and adjust them. Some videos on how to check them are here. That's a different mill, but the same checks apply for the XY table.