Sherline 5000 Mill General Manual

FIGURE 1-Milling Machine part terminology. Note that newer lathes now have an
improved, more positive locking lever on the Z-axis leadscrew that replaces the
Headstock Friction Adjusting Screw shown in this older diagram.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
At first glance, a vertical mill looks similar to a drill press, but there are some important
design differences; for example, a spindle that can take side loads as well as end loads
and an accurate method of moving work in relation to the spindle on all three axes. It is
wise to memorize these "X", "Y" and "Z" axes, because since the advent of complex
electronically controlled milling machines, these terms have become common "shop
talk", even outside engineering departments. (See Figure 2.) Feed screws with calibrated
handwheels control movements on these three axes. The handwheel calibrations are quite
accurate and should be used whenever possible. Counting handwheel revolutions and/or
the marks on the handwheel is a more accurate way to move from one location to another
than "eyeballing" a cut to a scribed line.
Angles can be machined by removing the headstock alignment key and rotating the
milling head to the appropriate angle to the work or by holding the work at an angle to