Tramming A Bridgeport Mill and Vise

Precisely what it says on the tin. One method of using a dial indicator to tram a milling machine and align the vise. You get a great view of my back for the first few minutes, but this is more of an explanation heavy video.

[@joell439]

Definitely good enough. 👍😎👍. Thanks for demo. Always very helpful to watch how others perform the tram process.

[@moosesmachinery]

Glad it was helpful! I think with this particular machine it's so much extra effort to get under that last 0.001 it's not worth it in all but the most extreme cases. Up close with the spindle retraced it's almost 0.0005 of error, so noticeably less.

[@frontwoodsfarmer2063]

Amazing content! I just found your channel the other day thanks for the video!

[@moosesmachinery]

Glad you enjoy it! Looking at your channel I see you are working on your own project birdgeport. I'd suggest stoning the mating face and removing rust on your new turret assembly. Swings in humidity can swell the rust, effect tram and eventually work your head bolts loose.

[@frontwoodsfarmer2063]

@@moosesmachinery thank you for taking the time to view my channel also! I wish I d know as much as you about the Bridgeport I’m constantly learning in machining but feel I’ll never “get it” lol can you kinda explain what your saying with stoning the mating surface etc? If your too busy don’t sweat it

[@moosesmachinery]

​@frontwoodsfarmer2063 I mean to just knock the loose rust and any burrs off with a good flat stone (no oil!). I usually soak any rusty stuff in mmo, kroil etc and take the worst of it off with a wire brush. Be very careful when you swap turrets to keep everything completely free of particulates and not to damage the mating surfaces. The cast iron is quite soft. I like to put a little oil on there. With the dovetail rams, it's also a good idea to clean and lube the slide ways for the head to move in and out.

[@billshiff2060]

extending the quill like that does absolutely nothing to "magnify" the reading. 1° out is 1° out period regardless of how far the quill is extended. What it DOES do is put the quill in a position you will never use it in, that's a mistake because the wear is different. There is only 1 way to know you are square. A face mill will cut a cross hatch with the trailing end in both directions in X and also in Y. If not , it is NOT square.