Sherline 5000 Mill Assembly Instructions

-14-
WHEN SQUARE,
SCRIBE ZERO
REFERENCE
MARK HERE
Squaring up the column
MODEL 2000 MILLS...(See Figure 18.) The next decision
to make is where the spindle is to be located. With all the
adjustments that can be made with the 8-direction mill you'll
probably start with the spindle located near the middle of
the X/Y table movements. Something that isn't too obvious
should be considered now. If the ram (the two-bar slide
that allows you to move the head in or out and left or right)
isn't square with the X-axis, the rotating column calibrations
will have an error. To square up the ram, mount a dial
indicator to the worktable and move the X-axis back and
forth while reading the left and right surfaces of the column
bed near the bottom. This only has to be done if you will be
rotating the column and want to be able to rely on the angle
graduation readings. Once set, lock the ram in place with
the flange nut. Now you can scribe a line on the column
base opposite the “zero” mark for future reference as shown
in Figure 18.
MODEL 5000-SERIES MILLS...Though the column ram
does not rotate on the 5000-series mills, its squareness can
still be checked in the same manner if desired. The factory
alignment of the holes is quite accurate, but a small amount
of adjustment is available by loosening the two screws that
hold the column base to the bed and pressing the base to
one side or the other while retightening.
Squaring the column with the X-axis
MODEL 2000 MILL OR 5000-SERIES MILLS WITH
OPTIONAL ROTARY COLUMN ATTACHMENT...
(See Figure 19.) The column should next be squared with
the X-axis. This is accomplished with an indicator mounted
in the spindle. Have the four socket head cap screws used
to clamp the column rotation tight enough to keep the column
from rotating, but not so tight that you can't move it with a
light tap from a plastic mallet to the column bed. Because
the axis that allows you to tilt the column in and out hasn't
been squared yet you should only read the indicator at the
same Y-axis location on the worktable that you used before.
Offset the indicator at an angle in the spindle so that when
the spindle is rotated it describes about a 2" to 3" circle on
the table. Take readings at the extreme left and right
positions. Adjust the column with light taps until there is
little difference in the readings at either extreme. I wouldn't
try to get it perfect yet, just close enough so there isn't a
gross error.
Hint: To keep the tip of the indicator from falling into
the T-slots, some machinists keep a large ball bearing
on hand. The two surfaces of a precision bearing are
generally parallel. The bearing is placed on the mill
table centered on the spindle and the indicator is run
around the surface of the bearing race, which provides
a round, flat, parallel surface for the tip of the indicator
to run against.
FIGURE 18—Squaring up the ram parallel to the Y-
axis on the 2000-series mill. The indicator can be held
with a chuck on the table or a mill vise as shown here.
When square, tighten the nut on top of the column. 5000/
5400-series mills can be adjusted slightly by loosening
the two bolts that hold the column base in place, twisting
the column slightly and retightening the bolts.
MODEL 5000-SERIES MILLS...This axis is not adjustable
on the 5000-series mills, but it can be checked in the same
manner. Again, factory alignment should be quite good, but
a slight amount of adjustment can be obtained by loosening
the four screws that hold the column to the base and pressing
the column to one side or the other while retightening.
Squaring the column with the Y-axis
MODEL 2000 MILLS...(See Figure 20.) Loosen the flange
nut on the horizontal pivot pin just enough so that the column
FIGURE 17—Checking for built in error in the table
travel along the Y-axis