mini mill table not flat

[chicotwo]

I have a X2 mini mill and i was checking the tabe for flatness.
The X .008 out.
The Y is .005 out.
Is there a way to fix this?
I was thinking about using a fly cutter then stoning it smooth by hand.
I dont know how i will ever get this thing trammed right with this table not being level.
Can some one please give me some input on this.

[Crevice Reamer]

If this is a new Grizzly X2, you may be able to get the table replaced. Are you sure it is the TABLE and not the column out of tram?

CR.

[chicotwo]

Its a older HF model.
When i put a indicator in the spindle and touch the table,then run the table from end to end i have .008 slope at the X movement and then the Y has .005 slope?

[acondit]

Are you sure that your gibs are tight? Even though the table is not particularly heavy, the weight at end of travel can affect the relation between the table surface and the spindle.

I would suggest taking the table off the mill, putting blue dye on the table surface and rubbing it against another flat surface (surface plate, table saw table, etc) and see if the table is flat before doing anything else. I would want to eliminate all other possibilities before attempting to resurface the mill table.

Alan

[DareBee]

When i put a indicator in the spindle and touch the table,then run the table from end to end i have .008 slope at the X movement and then the Y has .005 slope?

This will not necessarily tell you whether your table is flat.
It is marginally possible that the table is not flat. It is more likely that the ways are not machined true to the table top. It is possible that something is bent or bowed. It could be a tolerance issue in the gibs that allow the table to sag in certain areas of its stroke. Indicating in this manner only shows what is happening at a single point as that point is riding through the ways.
However machining the table top may improve things (until you make adjustments to the machine again).
Won't hurt anything to give it a go.

[Crevice Reamer]

If you need them, replacement parts are available at:

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...Fast=mini+mill

A whole table assy, with base and saddle costs $170.

The saddle costs $50 and a new table costs $80.

CR.

[acondit]

Originally Posted by DareBee This will not necessarily tell you whether your table is flat.

Actually if your surface plate is flat, it will (assuming that you don't put so much pressure on the table as to deform it). This is the method that is used on the ways and tables to build the gingery machines. High points will rub off and low points will be left blue. Then one can scrape high spots and repeat the blue and test procedure until the blued surface is uniformly touching the surface plate.

It is marginally possible that the table is not flat. It is more likely that the ways are not machined true to the table top. It is possible that something is bent or bowed. It could be a tolerance issue in the gibs that allow the table to sag in certain areas of its stroke. Indicating in this manner only shows what is happening at a single point as that point is riding through the ways. However machining the table top may improve things (until you make adjustments to the machine again). Won't hurt anything to give it a go.

The surface of your table was probably done on a surface grinder not just a mill with a flycutter. Re-machining the top of your table before you even know what is causing the problem is not a good idea.

First off it can't be done on the X2 because your cutter won't reach all areas of the table. So you take the table off and take it to a friend with a larger mill. Then you may get a good job and solve your problem but what if the problem is not in the table surface.

So, why on earth would you want to re-machine your table surface before you know what is causing the problem?

Alan

[DareBee]

Alan

Chico says

When i put a indicator in the spindle and touch the table,then run the table from end to end i have .008 slope at the X movement and then the Y has .005 slope?

He didn't say anything about checking it on a surface plate.

[The Blight]

I have measured my base, cross slide, collumn, and head. All sliding surfaces are within 0.00039". I never got around to measure how parallel the top of the table is to the ways. Maybe I should bring it to work and check it too. My guess is that it will need some work.

[acondit]

Originally Posted by DareBee Alan Chico says He didn't say anything about checking it on a surface plate.

Sorry, I thought you were saying that my idea of checking for flatness wouldn't work.

I said don't machine it until you know what is wrong. I suggested checking it for flatness before starting to machine to fix a problem when you don't know what the problem is.

Chico was talking about milling the surface with a flycutter.

You said,

Originally Posted by DareBee However machining the table top may improve things (until you make adjustments to the machine again). Won't hurt anything to give it a go.

The problem with that (when you can't reach the entire surface of the table) is you will be left with regions at both ends of the table that are not machined. I would therefore disagree with the statement that "it won't hurt anything". Figure out the problem first, then figure out the fix.

If the table needs to be re-machined, it probably needs to be done on a larger machine.

Alan

[chicotwo]

I talked to a friend that works at a machine shop,he said he will check it and fix it for me.
Thanks

[Crevice Reamer]

Have you measured the thickness of the table with a micrometer at different points? If it is off by that much, it should also be different thicknesses.

CR.