- Joined
- Dec 3, 2014
- Messages
- 778
when your Chinese premium quality test indicator craps out buy something Swiss made, and it will be your last. The Chinese can build dial indicators for 10 bucks, micrometers for about the same but for some reason their test indicators are junk. It will work for a while, but probably start sticking. When that happens you can try soaking it in naptha but to honest just chuck it and buy something that was made to last.
If you find your mill vibrating after you have it half way level, try taking out the mason mounts and just shimming it with scrap metal between base and floor. Mason mounts really don't seem to be made for precision machines like mills and lathes, more nuisance than help IMO, yes I have tried them and they sit unused in the basement. The cheap ass cast iron feet that the Chinese supply with their larger lathes actually work better, more rigid, the rubber can help a machine vibrate sometimes. To test this, give the machine a good shove with your hand while on the mason feet and then gently feel the machine for vibration, then try same test with it sitting directly on floor with Mason feet removed. That was what convinced me. Most guys I know who own shops just plant their Bridgeports on the floor, no mounting feet no nothing. Other than that your list looks good. When you get your test indicator, if it seems suspect politely notify Enco that it does not meet your standards, they will have UPS come and pick it up and take it away.
Have fun
michael
If you find your mill vibrating after you have it half way level, try taking out the mason mounts and just shimming it with scrap metal between base and floor. Mason mounts really don't seem to be made for precision machines like mills and lathes, more nuisance than help IMO, yes I have tried them and they sit unused in the basement. The cheap ass cast iron feet that the Chinese supply with their larger lathes actually work better, more rigid, the rubber can help a machine vibrate sometimes. To test this, give the machine a good shove with your hand while on the mason feet and then gently feel the machine for vibration, then try same test with it sitting directly on floor with Mason feet removed. That was what convinced me. Most guys I know who own shops just plant their Bridgeports on the floor, no mounting feet no nothing. Other than that your list looks good. When you get your test indicator, if it seems suspect politely notify Enco that it does not meet your standards, they will have UPS come and pick it up and take it away.
Have fun
michael