Aligning an X2 column?

[RomanLini]

Hi, I was milling a face (X axis) on some 16mm alloy with a 1/2" end mill, taking a full depth pass. I used fine cuts because I wanted it to be square, a few cuts at .001" and the last 2 at .0005 and using a spray lubricant.

But when I took out the job and checked it for square it was way off.

The fase I had milled on the Y axis was perfect. So I checked the main column on my X2 with a carpenter square to the table and it leans forward, quite a bit. It is off vertical by about 1/4" over it's total height. Which explains my problem with the first face I milled. Yes it is tightened up, I checked all that.

So, may I ask, is this common? And is there an easy way to fix it? It looks like one cast piece at the base acts as a right angle and is responsible for the column.

[tumutbound]

It is common that the mill will need alignment and (probably) shimming.
There are a number of thread here about doing this.

For aligning the column, check out this site.

crevicereamer, a member of cnczone has some excellent pages about the X2 mill. Check here.

[hoss2006]

Originally Posted by RomanLini Hi, I was milling a face (X axis) on some 16mm alloy with a 1/2" end mill, taking a full depth pass. I used fine cuts because I wanted it to be square, a few cuts at .001" and the last 2 at .0005 and using a spray lubricant. But when I took out the job and checked it for square it was way off. The fase I had milled on the Y axis was perfect. So I checked the main column on my X2 with a carpenter square to the table and it leans forward, quite a bit. It is off vertical by about 1/4" over it's total height. Which explains my problem with the first face I milled. Yes it is tightened up, I checked all that. So, may I ask, is this common? And is there an easy way to fix it? It looks like one cast piece at the base acts as a right angle and is responsible for the column.

1/4 inch is a pretty big lean, you might want to check the column brace for squareness,
you might have a badly machined one. you could get a new one at LMS.
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...480&category=6
I have a complete writeup on tramming/aligning on my site.
http://www.hossmachine.info/Shop_Info.html#tramming
You might want to check out some mods you can do to stiffen the column too.
http://www.hossmachine.info/Shop_Info.html#x2%20column
Hoss

[RomanLini]

Thanks tumutbound and hoss2006. I checked out those links and learned a lot.

I hadn't thought of a problem with spindle to column parallel, but will check that tomorrow. The bottom column brace is definitely not square, but at least the column is straight.

Thanks for the info on that extra rear brace for the column too, When I pull the machine apart it's probably worth making one of those too.