Edge Mini - Pro or SST Tramming tool..?

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Mr Mike

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Hello my good people... As part of my quest to find the perfect size hobby Mill, I recently got a used G0704 to get some hands on time, and learn a thing or two in hopes of making a better informed PM - Milling Machine purchase... It has a date of 08 15 that I assume means 8th month 2015. and appears to be in fair condition.

In the spirit of learning I'm tearing the G0704 down, doing a deep clean, replace worn parts and reassembling...

I'm researching what alignment tools I'll need to get, and learn to use them now because In the future I expect to buy my forever Mill like a PM-932, PM-833t or ???...

The SST is interesting in that it has 3 placement areas 3" to 6" for tramming parts in a vice and table, But I'm thinking I can still tram 3" parts in a vise with a strait edge using the Edge Pro.

I have read a few different ways to Tram the Spindle back to the Table, and I was thinking these simple tools may help a beginner get decent results and then down the road learn the proper way its done... I'm probably all wet with my thinking so I figured I should ask here...

Thanks for any advice, Mike...
 
I have the Edge tool, never seen the SST IRL. It's a luxury and a convenience, but certainly not a necessity. Manipulating the head into alignment is the hard part, measuring it is the easy part. So neither tool is going to remove the hardest part of the job.

There are probably much better places to spend your money if you're just starting to get tooled up. Unless you're tilting your head frequently odds are that you'll tram it once in a great while, check it occasionally (which is faster to do conventionally than with an Edge/SST type tool) and mostly just leave it alone.

My .02, YMMV of course,

GsT
 
I agree, Unless you are constantly changing the angle of the head, those "tramming tools" are probably a waste of money. I haven't moved or trammed my head in years and I use my mill a lot. Also, you would still need to calibrate the tool every time you use it, at least I would, so the time savings would be minimal, IMHO. Better to put the money towards better quality dial and test indicators.
 
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Looks like the same calibration method as the Edge. I suspect the SST is no different in that regard.

GsT
 
Mr Mike said:
lol This old Tony and blondI Hacks.... internet staples on speed dial :)
Click to expand...
The problem is the <bleep>ing YouTube monetization works best with a 15-ish minute video, so these tiny topics, which could be adequately explained in a few minutes get dragged out over a quarter of an hour. At least Blondihacks and TOT try to make it entertaining, but when I'm looking for information, I hardly feel the need to be entertained (at a cost of ingesting info at 1/3-1/4 the desirable rate). Man I miss the popularity of print...

GsT
 
The SST is the same as the rest. I have one of those and it works well. I have a cheap square column Chinese mill so any time i move the head I feel the need to check the tram. Not a necessary tool but a time saver
 
Mr Mike said:
Hello my good people... As part of my quest to find the perfect size hobby Mill, I recently got a used G0704 to get some hands on time, and learn a thing or two in hopes of making a better informed PM - Milling Machine purchase... It has a date of 08 15 that I assume means 8th month 2015. and appears to be in fair condition.

In the spirit of learning I'm tearing the G0704 down, doing a deep clean, replace worn parts and reassembling...

I'm researching what alignment tools I'll need to get, and learn to use them now because In the future I expect to buy my forever Mill like a PM-932, PM-833t or ???...

The SST is interesting in that it has 3 placement areas 3" to 6" for tramming parts in a vice and table, But I'm thinking I can still tram 3" parts in a vise with a strait edge using the Edge Pro.

I have read a few different ways to Tram the Spindle back to the Table, and I was thinking these simple tools may help a beginner get decent results and then down the road learn the proper way its done... I'm probably all wet with my thinking so I figured I should ask here...

Thanks for any advice, Mike...
Click to expand...
I have and use the SST and very much like it.
 
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