Seig X2 - Tram the deck (Y axis), how do you adjust?

[GimpyPaw]

I just got a Seig X2 from Harbor Freight and have degreased it and bolted it down. I was playing around with my dial indicator last night and while it took a long time I got the X axis adjusted to within .002 but I can't figure out how to adjust the Y axis. It's off, not by a lot, something like .009.

Here is what I got...


So what did I miss? Help please?

[HimyKabibble]

You tram the y axis by shimming between the column mount and the base.

Regards,
Ray L.

[GimpyPaw]

Originally Posted by HimyKabibble You tram the y axis by shimming between the column mount and the base. Regards, Ray L.

Your kidding? What sort of material do I use for that? Paper would be about the right thickness, but wouldn't hold up to the pressure or the oils. Aluminum foil might work, or I guess I could take a pair of shop scissors and cut up a pop can.

And of course this means all the x axis adjustments I made are out the window. I needed the practice anyway, right?

[Crevice Reamer]

Hi GimpyPaw. Welcome to the Zone!

Yes, cut up the pop can. This is EXCELLENT shim stock.

CR.

[vlmarshall]

What diameter circle are you swinging with the dial indicator? The bigger area you can sweep, the more accurately you'll be able to square your machine.
Keep working at it! You'll be able to get that .002" out.

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by GimpyPaw Your kidding? What sort of material do I use for that? Paper would be about the right thickness, but wouldn't hold up to the pressure or the oils. Aluminum foil might work, or I guess I could take a pair of shop scissors and cut up a pop can. And of course this means all the x axis adjustments I made are out the window. I needed the practice anyway, right?

I think you'll find a soda can to be much too thick. Get some shim stock from McMaster-Carr, or buy a cheap set of feeler gauges, and sacrifice them. You probably only need 0.001-0.002".

Regards,
Ray L.

[HimyKabibble]

BTW - If you're really going to go to town on this, you should not assume that the spindle is parallel, in either plane (X-Z and Y-Z), to the column dovetails. Adjusting that requires shimming between the two halves of the head, and/or rotating the front half of the head relative to the rear half. It's not unusual for these settings to be off by quite a bit, and will result in the tool moving in X and/or Y as the head is moved up and down. This really HAS to be done *before* tramming X or Y.

Regards,
Ray L.

[GimpyPaw]

Originally Posted by HimyKabibble BTW - If you're really going to go to town on this, you should not assume that the spindle is parallel, in either plane (X-Z and Y-Z), to the column dovetails. Adjusting that requires shimming between the two halves of the head, and/or rotating the front half of the head relative to the rear half. It's not unusual for these settings to be off by quite a bit, and will result in the tool moving in X and/or Y as the head is moved up and down. This really HAS to be done *before* tramming X or Y. Regards, Ray L.

Every answer brings up a new question. Sort of like watching those instuctional MIT videos, every time I watch one I come up with 2 or 3 new tools I didn't know existed until I found out I couldn't live without one.

OK, yes, I do really want to "go to town". How do I measure and adjust the spindle in relation to the column dovetails?

[hoss2006]

check that the column is perpendicular to the table by running the z axis up and down
with an indicator in the spindle or attached to the head against the side of an angle plate.
then check that the spindle is parallel with the now true column by using a piece of ground drill rod or similar in a collet in the spindle and indicate the rod side moving the Z up and down.
A mag base holds the indicator well on the table.
I have a test indicator with a long straight tip to use because the ball end could drop from the outer edge of the rod if the y axis tram is real bad.
Hopefully it's good to go and they assembled the head parallel with the column so you won't have to bother with this major headache.
If so, remove the head loosen the bolts and adjust as necessary.
A large granite plate and a height gage with indicator makes it easier.
reassemble and double check.
then tram away.
simple.
a lot more work than most hobbyist want to get into.