SX3 style mill -- z-axis gib adjustment

kayaker

kayaker

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Beginner's beginner back again, so be gentle. I've had my new Grizzly G0619 for a couple of months now. The head seems to move up and down the column "extremely" freely to the point where it will almost move down on its own if you crank it down quickly. But to this point I have not taken a look at tightening the z-axis gib. However, yesterday I finished installing the z-axis DRO and now when I tighten down the head, I can see on the DRO that there is a lot of movement measured on the DRO display. I had the same issue on the X and Y axis, and snugging up the gibs a bit nearly eliminated the movement on the DRO reading when I lock them down now. I was hoping for the same effect on the z-axis. So here is the question. How do you adjust the gib on the z-axis of a G0619 (SX3)? The gib is bounded on the top and bottom by very large flat headed adjustment screws and I thought to would be a good idea to ask how they work before taking a chance at messing them up like I did with when I tried to remove the backlash from the x-axis. I would appreciate hearing about people's experience on this.

Thanks in advance.
 
I don't remember having any set screws to tighten up that gib. it is either tapered, or the tension is set by the locking handle mechanism. I can check it better when I get home.

one piece of advice - do not overtighten the top/bottom screws with large heads as they are fairly weak material and the head can snap-off (don't ask me how I know).

which DRO did you install on yours? I've been toying with the idea of adding one, just cant justify the expense as so far I can do everything with careful manual measurements.
 
PurpLev said:
I don't remember having any set screws to tighten up that gib. it is either tapered, or the tension is set by the locking handle mechanism. I can check it better when I get home.

one piece of advice - do not overtighten the top/bottom screws with large heads as they are fairly weak material and the head can snap-off (don't ask me how I know).

which DRO did you install on yours? I've been toying with the idea of adding one, just cant justify the expense as so far I can do everything with careful manual measurements.
Click to expand...

Thanks PurpLev. If you wouldn't mind checking when you get home, it would be much appreciated. I already "over tightened" when trying to reduce the backlash and took it from .008 to .035, a clean 1/3 of a turn!

I went with the the 3 axis EL400 kit with magnetic scales from Dro Pros. Like you say, very expensive, but very nice! The DRO PRO people were great with my questions as well.

SX3 x_y-axis DRO mount.jpgSX3 z-axis DRO mount.jpgEL400 display.jpg

SX3 x_y-axis DRO mount.jpg SX3 z-axis DRO mount.jpg EL400 display.jpg
 
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OakRidgeGuy said:
How do you like the tapping feature of that mill?
Click to expand...

I haven't used that feature just yet and I image it will be a bit before do. About 40 years ago I worked in a shop where I had to tap a keg of nuts. Not one of my most memorable tasks, but at least the drill press was equipped with a power tapping head. Interesting that is was cheaper to purchase nut blanks and tap them than to buy the tapped nuts.
 
I feel that it would be a nice feature if one is doing a lot of tapping. I will be but it will be 3mm taps that I will be doing. I would rather do them by hand.
 
kayaker said:
Thanks PurpLev. If you wouldn't mind checking when you get home, it would be much appreciated. I already "over tightened" when trying to reduce the backlash and took it from .008 to .035, a clean 1/3 of a turn!

I went with the the 3 axis EL400 kit with magnetic scales from Dro Pros. Like you say, very expensive, but very nice! The DRO PRO people were great with my questions as well.
Click to expand...

that is a NICE DRO set, I've watched their videos numerous times and had to remind myself that I cannot afford it several times to keep myself in control ;)

As for the Z gib - as I thought, there are no set screws to tighten it, and the locking mechanism doesn't register against it either, mine seems to be pretty tight yet move smoothly up/down. I have the lower screw flush with the underside of the carriage, and the top screw protruding above (tightened down as far as it will go). What you can try to is this: with both upper/lower screws tightened (not over tightened - just tightened enough that they cannot go in any further) try releasing the upper screw 1/2 a turn, then tightening the lower screw 1/2 a turn (bringing them back to snug) and see if you feel any difference in the movement of the head assembly or if you get different readings on the DRO when locking down the head. experiment in both directions to see any improvements. Other than that, I don't recall anything else to snug up the head to column.

FYI, the gib adjustment doesn't do anything for backlash. that has to do with the gears. the gibs keep the movement snug to the ways (reduces side to side movements)

OakRidgeGuy said:
How do you like the tapping feature of that mill?
Click to expand...
I actually like the tapping feature at times. doesn't work for every tapping situation, but there are cases it simplifies and quickens the process.
 
PurpLev said:
that is a NICE DRO set, I've watched their videos numerous times and had to remind myself that I cannot afford it several times to keep myself in control ;)

As for the Z gib - as I thought, there are no set screws to tighten it, and the locking mechanism doesn't register against it either, mine seems to be pretty tight yet move smoothly up/down. I have the lower screw flush with the underside of the carriage, and the top screw protruding above (tightened down as far as it will go). What you can try to is this: with both upper/lower screws tightened (not over tightened - just tightened enough that they cannot go in any further) try releasing the upper screw 1/2 a turn, then tightening the lower screw 1/2 a turn (bringing them back to snug) and see if you feel any difference in the movement of the head assembly or if you get different readings on the DRO when locking down the head. experiment in both directions to see any improvements. Other than that, I don't recall anything else to snug up the head to column.

FYI, the gib adjustment doesn't do anything for backlash. that has to do with the gears. the gibs keep the movement snug to the ways (reduces side to side movements)


I actually like the tapping feature at times. doesn't work for every tapping situation, but there are cases it simplifies and quickens the process.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the followup on the z-axis gib adjustment. I have enough info now to get it done and minimize the chance of damage.
 
Kayaker, did you make the Z-axis mount for the DRO's on your mill? I have the EL700 kit but haven't started the install yet. Been waiting to get a bench built, getting my mill/lathe/arbor press issues straightened, etc... and slowly deciding how I want to mount the various axis. I like your approach to it. Did you mount your X and Y axis' scales directly to the machine/saddle?

The DRO Pros guys are great aren't they. I was greatly surprised at how they worked with me. I ended up with a custom 12x30x16 magnetic scales kit. I wouldn't have gotten the EL700 if they hadn't made it worth my while in multiple ways. I was impressed to say the least and I wasn't the easiest customer to please by any means.
 
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