South Bend Milling Machine - squaring the head

[jakes_66]

Jake,

When you sweep the table with the dial indicator, which side is high and low.

Ken,

When I sweep the indicator across the table, I start by zeroing the indicator on the table surface closest to the operator's standing position. I check for quill lock, knee gib lock and table gib locks. I then rotate the spindle by hand 180 degrees so I'm now showing a reading closest to the column. In that position the indicator is showing +0.002".

 

[Bob Korves]

The .002" sag is honest wear. It can be repaired, or or it can be compensated for by the operator.

 

[jakes_66]

Well thanks everyone for your input. I think the best course of action is to use the machine as-is for now with the wear in mind. I'm just a hobbyist, so it won't be any big deal and it will give me some good practice compensating when machining something critical. I have used a lathe that was that way.

I will seriously consider scraping the ways and correcting the issue, although that's going to be quite a ways down the road for me. ('Ways' down the road... get it?)

The investment in time for learning and practice (not to mention expensive equipment) to do the work looks considerable. I am intrigued in the idea, however, so I'll keep in touch if I decide to tackle this.

Thanks again,

-Jake