Aligning the Taig Micro Mill & Vise
Last updated on Saturday, September 03, 2011 08:28:02 AM Eastern US Time Zone

Indicating Animation, Vise Alignment & Clamping, Solid-Jaw Indicating, Vise Bed Indicating Animation

Caution: When the column is loosened for adjustment, do not allow it to fall to the side as damage may occur.

Indicating Animation

This style of universal dial test indicator holder gives a broad sweep of the small mill table (animation).
This is indicating the X-axis which is adjustable.

See instructions on how to set tip geometry & see illustration.

To indicate the mill bed, mount a dial test gauge in the mill spindle.
 Used a 3/16" diameter adapter that attaches to the end of the dial test gauge. It was then mounted in a collet.
 Iterate sides by rotating 180° & adjusting (changing by half the difference) the angle of the mill's upright
 support until there are no left-to-right differences. The column is held in place under a nut with a washer.

Vise Alignment & Clamping

Initial vise alignment to the table using a high-precision right-angle square. Other side held by the L-bracket.

Second L-bracket fixed to vise.

Solid-Jaw Indicating

Indicate the solid jaw of the mill vise using the same basic method. A rubber wedge keeps the spindle from
rotating. Run the the jaw face (x-axis) left & right, making half the distance adjustments of the vise, until there
are no differences. This vise is ± 0.0002" & the dial test gauge scale is in 0.001" gradations.

Aluminum vise brackets did not mar the table but deflected a little.

Indicating the solid vise jaw, animation.

I have now replaced the vise clamps with steel L-bracket milled to the correct dimensions.
It's designed like a toe clamp so there is a small downward angle towards the vise's ledge.
The toe edges have been chamfered. The foot has been diamond ground smooth &
 given radius corners so as to not gouge the Taig's aluminum table. The brackets hold the
vise tightly, do not bend & no table marring. The brass blocks increase setup rigidity.

Vise Bed Indicating Animation

Indicating the vise's bed, animation.

Indicating Animation, Vise Alignment & Clamping, Solid-Jaw Indicating, Vise Bed Indicating Animation