BRIDGEPORT MILL Tramming or Indicating the Head to Zero

Your mill should have its head & spindle located such that it is perfectly vertical. Here's how to sweep it using a dial indicator.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• BRIDGEPORT
• MILL
• milling
• machine
• indicator
• shop
• accuracy
• dial

[ohgood]

i don't know if anyone has told you, but you have a voice for radio. just stumbled upon your videos tonight, subscribed, and will enjoy watching while i'm lapping up the gravy at work. thanks for contributing so much.

[mrpete222]

@ohgood THANKS--because my face sure isn't for TV.

[pEnSaNdOeNTiNiNa]

hello my name is Beto...and you just dont know how much u help me with ur video thanx for ur time on doing this let me tell you really quick...just got hire at this company and tomorrow i have to zero out the head and i had no idea...but with this.....mannnnn ill b good to good. thanx so much AND GOD BLESS YOU!

[mrpete222]

@pEnSaNdOeNTiNiNa Thanks Beto--your nice letter made my day.

[Volvo745T]

Of the probably 10,000 videos I've watched from work, here's one that actually pertains to my job! Thanks ... just stumbled across your series.

[mrpete222]

@Volvo745T THANKS for your encouragement.

[teebee1984]

@mrpete222 I've worked on Bridgeports for 40 years and I never knew what the notches on the machine head was for!! Pre squaring the head!

[qaz179]

Thanks - you explained it really well. Great voice as well btw.

[lexichronicle2]

"Too much room for error."

Your proposed method is categorically more error prone. To accurately manipulate something, you must measure and adjust one variable at a time; the tilt. Yours involves manipulating 3 axes; x/z & tilt.

There's no need to zero the quill. It should be extended only to magnify the tilt error.

There's also no need to move the knee, the indicators are designed to slide over things.

A mic standard is more susceptible to false errors caused by table bumps.

[agwhitaker]

Too much room for error.

Instead, put a 1" micrometer standard in the middle of the table.

Fit a test indicator on 4" radius arm on the spindle.

Move the table to the left, and touch the indicator to the standard, raise table till the indicator zeroes.

Set Z axis dial at zero, then lower the table .200"

Move table to the right and turn the spindle 180 degrees till the indicator tip is right over the standard.

Raise the table .200" and note the indicator difference.

Adjust by 1/2 and continue.

[alexbarlage]

can this be used also for nodding alignment also?

[FORD197200]

BRAVO TUBALCAIN AND THANKYOU. I NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE LUGS THAT ARE THERE FOR ALIGNING WITH A SQUARE. GREAT INFO HERE THANKS FOR PASSING ON STUFF LIKE THIS TO A YOUNGER GENERATION BEFORE IT ALL BECOMES A LOST ART.

[gobigcorley]

During moving my "J" Head Bridgeport across my shop to its primary location I rotated the head 360 deg. to counter ballance the machine. Now that the machine is where it is supposed to be, can you explain the process of truing the head prerfectly perpendicular to the table.

As a beginer mill opperator your videos have been extreamly helpful! Thank you for all you do...it is great

[priority2]

Teachers like you are becoming harder and harder to find nowadays. God Bless You for sharing your knowledge.

[730M]

learned more in a couple of your vids then I did in school I can use your info for my home shop without trying to figure in out and taking hours and wasting time Keep teaching I'll keep watching

[WATERJET1971]

oh Boy you brought me back at least 20 plus years back with this video. YOU ARE THE MAN