Milling Machine fundamentals - Tramming your vice

How to tram your milling machine vice in less then 60 sec. This is a must see Video it will save you so much time. Not just on this mill but also on a lathe, and other tools.

[@ChrisB257]

Works well - what I do tend to do is have one bolt much tighter than the other and use the less tight side for my bumping - either behind said bold or in front of it ... not that different. Main thing is (so far) I lack a power feed! One day. Thanks Dale. Oh and yeah - three dislikes ... hmmm - some strangely fussy folks maybe! :)

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks for your suggestion

[@gjkozy]

It's one of those great tips that make you say, "why didn't I think of that". Thanks for saving me a lot of time, great tip!

[@SDPickups]

I finally got my out of stock LMS power feed. Man, did it ever help square my vise pretty fast. Not in 60 seconds, more like 2 minutes of figuring out which way to tap the vise. I'm. not a machinist so some things aren't natural for me. Your video helped, but there are parts where you're not showing which way you're tapping the vise. But very helpful anyway. thanks.

[@dziggy3004]

Still prepping for my FIRST, alignment -- but NOW I'll have this in my pocket! Bet you wish you were me years back! Thanks for the tip!

[@VenturaSewerInspections]

What a great tip. I never thought about using the power feed. Thank you.

[@jimnicholson4509]

Many thanks for interesting video.

[@mnsterbruiser]

Great video, my mill is small and so is the vice. With the jaws so narrow 3" it's harder to get a quick reading as the numbers don't vary as much left to right. I tend to clamp a larger 6" parallel in the jaws to make traming the vice easier. I use a basic indicator and magnetic base because I'm cheap. Cool to see it done more professionally. Keep up with the great vids.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thank for your comment

[@mrbbonkers]

A method so simple, I'd never have thought of it! Keep up with the great videos. I'm learning lots of useful things from you. Thanks!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thank you

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Great tip, short and uncomplicated. Thanks for the video.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@bobuk5722]

Hi Dale, just found this one. Excellent. I get the impression you think about what you want to do, rather than 'just' reading the text books. Bob.

[@frase1234]

AWESOME... Plain & Simple

[@kentvandervelden]

Really slick tip. Used it this morning. My test indicator might have some sticking. The test indicator jumps a few thou while moving laterally with the test indicator in contact. For the final adjustment, I needed to move away and then back onto the vice jaw an equal amount. Regardless, your method is still faster than halving the difference, tapping with a hammer, etc. Thank you

[@BuildSomthingCool]

im glad you like it

[@Peter-od7op]

Hi Ty you for all your Tips I am using a mini mill and trying to teach myself and my 12 year old milling and lathe work.

[@Goodwill345]

That is a genius idea, Thanks

[@maxjohn2068]

Great video, thanks!

[@browndawg5872]

great advise. thank you

[@metal-zl3sw]

Great tip. I'm learning on a Jet at work.

[@lobos59]

Great tip.

[@muskegsmith3388]

Hey Dale! you have just saved me at least a half an hour, Thanks

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I'm glad I could help😀

[@gordonagent7037]

Dale another really good basic video. I love to watch all the videos posted by everyone and always give them a go, especially being a new guy to Milling so good basic explanations are always good and maybe even a refresher for others. I like the comments/feedback you get to, even the -ve's just so long as it is constructive, as often you get good ideas from them too. Many thanks again

[@rickknapp3819]

All well and good, 2 things which you didn't cover is (1) tightening the bolts to the table, I've been in the trade for 40 yrs and if lucky after tramming rarely does it stay in place so torqueing the bolts play a major roll when readjusting the vise witch you did not cover! Don't get me wrong, it's a great video for beginners, but for seasoned veterans, a half a thousand is ok, but when squaring a block in our it world it needs to be spot on. Other wise you'll just magnified the squarness throughout your project. Just saying but still a great video.

[@bobshepherd9353]

nice one Dale must try that

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I'm glade yo liked it

[@dustinmasters9239]

Great method Dale! Can't wait until I have a milling machine to try this on.

[@KnolltopFarms]

+Dustin Masters Same here! :)

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Milling machines are a lot of fun.😀

[@KnolltopFarms]

+Metal Tips and Tricks (Dale Derry) I'll be using allot of you KISS set ups when I do get one, since I know it will tap me out financially and won't be buying anything besides the bare-bone basics for a while afterwards...plus I have always liked to keep things simple, while still being able to achieve a great end result. Thanks for all of the tips and please have a Happy New Year, Aloha...Chuck

[@RPWLKR1]

another great tip

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@fierceflyer5]

Awesome tip Dale. Keep them coming

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks.😀

[@PeterWMeek]

Nice technique - not how much it moves but whether it moves at all. BTW, I do like the analysis (Q&A) videos. I've noticed a few other YT creators beginning to do this as well. Thanks.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I guess I'm a head of the KZbin curve😀

[@binness]

This advice came from Tom's Techniques in 2011, he was the first I ever saw using it, I just wish people acknowledged where they got the information from

[@bluehandsvideo]

Great tip Dale! I should be able to use that on the cnc with continuous jog at a slow rate. Thanks! Mike

[@BuildSomthingCool]

😀😀😀

[@TomZelickman]

Thanks, Dale for the video. Always good to see how other people accomplish these tasks. You never know what you might pick up along the way! Sincerely, Tom Z

[@rcwarship]

+Tom Zelickman (Inspiration Metalworks) Total Genius!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@staceysmith5587]

Awesome tip thanks Dale

[@Isavier12]

Gracias campeón

[@stanwooddave9758]

I just caught the other video, on how to set an angle, and I'm viewing this as the 2nd video. Both video's are a MUST SEE!!!!!! Thanks so much Dale for taking the time to shoot, edit, upload. By the way a belated Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays, and may you have a prosperous New Year. Again thank you for your time sir.

[@erlingweiseth2774]

Hmmm...loose shirt sleeves around a machine? I know it's hardly moving, but rule #1 is there for a reason. Merry Christmas, Dale! And keep all those great videos coming! Thanks for sharing! ;)

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks😀

[@stevewhite315]

Good one

[@mrdouble]

Love your videos. Thank you so much for time and wisdom

[@BuildSomthingCool]

+Micheal Double Thank you very much

[@chillierdavro]

Thanks for sharing your machining fundamentalsas they are very usefull for newbies like me :) Just need to buy/make a DTI holder for quill mounting now.

[@EVguru]

Hi Dale, A very nicely made video and a great tip. Still a lot slower than a tramming frame though!

[@staccio80]

Nice tip!!!thanks

[@tomeyssen9674]

Thanks Dale! A good method. -Tom

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Glad you liked it. :-)

[@markthomas2760]

Holy cow that is useful advice. Thank you.

[@TAWPTool]

Dale, great video as usual. I've seen this trick before and have used it, but I do enjoy your video style. Great HD, clear audio, etc. Keep up the great work "Get out in your shop and build something cool" is just the coolest end note. Inspiring really.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thank you very much

[@user-xy7lm5vc8d]

so cool babey

[@DonDegidio]

Excellent video, Dale. Nice quick method. Don't know how I did it, but I receive new video notification on my smartphone. Happy Holidays to you and the family.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Technology is a Mistry :-)

[@vidarreiersen4820]

Thanks for the tip loved it !

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks for watching

[@rootpass74]

More tips and tricks like this!!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I working on one right now.

[@rootpass74]

Build Something Cool hello from Mcdonough!

[@ncforster]

wow just wish i could do that with my old mill (gearbox driven) nice tip

[@millomweb]

Why can't you ?

[@claeswikberg8958]

that's a neat trick

[@BuildSomthingCool]

😀😀

[@mertsilliker1682]

thank you dale

[@BuildSomthingCool]

😀

[@matteomorigi7650]

loved it !!!!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

+matteo morigi :-)

[@tedsykora1858]

good encouragement to do more often

[@afddfd5120]

good tip

[@glennfelpel9785]

Fantastic! What a deal. Thank you.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks for watching

[@GPapesh]

Brilliant, more please!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

😀😀😀😀😀

[@navaho5430]

GREAT TIP CHEERS FROM OZ.

[@MikeDittmanmachining]

If only I had a power feed LOL. Awesome trick.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

+Mike Dittman Lol

[@Lathan308]

nice tip

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@GaryT1952]

Brilliant Dale! Merry Christmas

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@paulmorrey733]

Great video Thanks

[@smayjr72]

Merry Christmas! Great video as usual!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@jamiedykes6382]

Good vid 😊

[@BuildSomthingCool]

😀😀😀

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing.

[@PETERTRITSCH]

Amazing tips

[@josefontes3249]

great tips thanks

[@centurialinc]

Hi Dale! I have been following your channel for some time now. I love it. I wanted to let you know this video is linked in one of my video's. You did such a good job with it that I decided to add it as a card. Swing by when you got a sec and see what i got uploaded. I would love to here your thoughts. Best Matt

[@millomweb]

But you didn't put a link to your videos :)

[@ekoukano]

That was awesome!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thankd

[@IMADABCI]

Great video thanks!

[@moshegalimidi2302]

nice! thanks

[@BuildSomthingCool]

😀

[@Lego31866]

GREAT VIDEO! I have always wondered why machinists don't build a fine thread adjustment fixture to move the vise. Hammering always seemed out of skillset. Just my thought..

[@jameslee6158]

Really Amazing!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@EngineerBrunS]

Genius!

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks

[@EngineerBrunS]

***** on Fridey I used this trick... Oh, how much time I would have saved if he had known about it earlier. Thank you very much for that knowledge!

[@CNCJoeFromRomeo]

Great video. Subscribed & Thumbs Up-ped it! Keep up the good work.

[@paultrimble9390]

Yeah that’s nice

[@BenButler1]

- comment. J/K great tip

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks Ben

[@flyingfarm1]

This is the slickest way I have ever seen to tram the vice. It might be a bit difficult for me because there is no power feed and the cheap Enco mill vise jaws are warped.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

+William Cassidy Try it any way you might be surprised

[@TheJpybus282]

I clamp a tall parallel in my vise and run the indicator against the edge of it. Gives a smooth edge for it ride on.

[@BMSskateChannel]

I mean that was more like a thou out maybe a little more but the method is right.

[@williepelzer384]

Check after tightening down the vice

[@Guds777]

5 thumbs up. I have a request, can you show me how to make a dovetail clamp to clamp these types of micrometers onto a rod. I got a dial indicator on a magnetic base, then i bought this type you got there without a base...

[@BuildSomthingCool]

That's an interest idea. Let me think about it😀

[@andytaylor8802]

Have you a video on making milling vise jaws?

[@coyote0216]

Nice tip as always. But is there an easy way for the rest of us without power feed? And Merry Christmas to all.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Lol

[@robertamaty7453]

Nice !!

[@SmeeUncleJoe]

Where did you get that holder ? I don't know how many indicators I have bought and the attachments make little sense or are usable to square up a mill.

[@11thboris]

How about a negative comment ? Just kidding... A great tip really, thinking outside the box :), i usually swipe couple of times across the vice. Now i wont. Cute.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Thanks for the positive comment 😀😀😀

[@MrAirsoftmodz]

I find with my dti there is a thou to 2 thou just by the change in direction, locking the y axis helps this. dti is a very old verdict that at one point was dropped but even a newer one we have at work has that .5 thou error

[@BuildSomthingCool]

It's important you know if the strengths and weaknesses of your mill, so I can either use them or avoid them. Thanks for the comment

[@denisl2406]

lol Toms techniques covered the exact same method about 3 years ago. funny how the machining channels cover the same things over and over its still fun watching. but!

[@ClaytonwFirth]

Thanks Dale. Nice tip but haven't you covered this one before?

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Yes and no. The other time I did it it was on a lathe😀😀

[@davecc0000]

How do you get both close-up and "fulll" shots? Do you use 2 cameras? Or do you make retakes? Tell us a little about your video setup.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I use 2 cameras and some time 3

[@wiredodger60]

Fat fingers??? Hopefully..... Anything to make life easier works for me. Nice job!

[@fookenny552]

Hi Dale, may I know if you have any tips and tricks for tramming a rotary table/head?

[@stephenmetsch6316]

neat trick. Try to show how the indicator is attached to the machine just for us rank amateurs. Take the rest of the day off. Stevemetsch

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I'll see if I can fit your suggestion and on my next video

[@r.j.382]

Dale, thanks for the video. It looks like your mill has a riser block installed between the column and the head. Can you tell me about it if that is the case. Is it a purchased unit or a homemade? Thanks. R.J.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

It's a 7" riser. I wouldn't have a Mill without it, it not home made I got it off another mill.

[@Rocky5738]

Hi can you tell me where I can buy the indicator holder cheers Rocky. Australia

[@peterdahlman]

👌

[@williamstillman8804]

Bill Still Dale, I've a quick question for you. When I attach the dial test indicator holder to the mill spindle, there is a bit of movement of the spindle even though I insert the draw bar. Is this movement ever enough to cause inaccuracies in the measurement? Thanks for the great teaching job. Bill

[@millomweb]

Why do you choose to mount the DTI in the worst possible place ? Attach it to something rigid!

[@chrisstephens6673]

What's more, it works almost as well if you don't have power feed.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

Good point

[@keithslayback4626]

I don't know what im doing wrong but I've been trying to do this for about an hour and can't get it right

[@RickRose]

Although I understand the principle, mine never goes that quickly. I think the problem is that I need to have my vise jaws reground; I'm always settling for a sort of "average" rather than seeing a nice smooth transition like that.

[@BuildSomthingCool]

I know it's frustrating. But average can work very well.😀😀😀

[@millomweb]

Don't you just put the vice on the table, take the slack out of the T slot bolts then push the vice up against the side of the T slot then tighten the bolts !!!! I guess you could stick a gauge on it to see how 'out' it is but it shouldn't be too far out provided the T slot sides aren't worn and the bolts are the same diameter. No reason you can't fix a straight edge to the table and then put the vice jaws onto that to clamp the vice in place and machine a little off its mounting bolt-holes to ensure they're aligned with the jaws!

[@imrecehak]

positive comment!

[@GUSMIX22]

Titan the nuts and show us again !!! Brian F.

[@GUSMIX22]

+GUSMIX22 Sorry Tighten the nuts and show again how nothing moved that is the hard part part to maintain +- .001 etc. Back and forth, Back and forth etc... Brian F.

[@editbench]

are you an actor reading lines written by a machinist? In this case Tom of Toms Techniques