Sieg SX3 Z axis adjustment

[Joe McKeanParticipant @joemckean81940]

Hi

I need to adjust the Z axis on my Sieg SX3 and before I get started I thought I would ask if there is a correct procedure for doing this, I have an idea on how to do it but would like to double check so that I don't create any problems for myself.

Thanks in advance

Joe

[Joe McKeanParticipant @joemckean81940]

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Adjust which way? Do you mean "tram" for perpendicularity to table? This has been discussed extensively here, for example:

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=124382

**LINK**

[Joe McKeanParticipant @joemckean81940]

Sorry that should have read Z axis gib adjustment, I know where the adjusting screws are but how or in what order do you adjust them.

Joe

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

IIRC these use a tapered gib with a screw bearing on each end.

To adjust this type of gib, slacken the screw at the thin end of the gib (most likely at the bottom), screw in the screw at the thick end of the gib to remove any free play (don't go beyond taking up the slack ! ) then tighten the thin end screw to lock the gib in place. The taper on the gib is a slow one, so it is easy to adjust it to be too tight if you are heavy-handed with the thick end adjuster screw.

Nigel B.

[andy mulhollandParticipant @andymulholland30577]

I recently has an sx3 dismantled ti re install in the workshop.. I seem to remember asking on here how the jib actually worked … the description above does cover it in terms of the two screws.. again I remember using light taps to try and settle the jib in place before locking it with the screws..

because I had the mill dismantled I pretty well set about the task with the mill head disconnected from its geared drive….so that the adjustment process was purely by gravity lifting the head manually and observing how it then dropped down… a right pain… but you loose the sensitivity of the adjustment with the gears in play…. quite often you only know its over adjusted when the head hangs on its slide on the backlash of the gears and then catches up with itself with a bit of a clunk… its certainly not as straight fwd as you would wish…

Andy

[Mike DonnerstagParticipant @mikedonnerstag]

Andy: I am having the 'clunking' problem with my SX3. Would you say this is due to the gib too tight or too loose?

Mike

[andy mulhollandParticipant @andymulholland30577]

Posted by Mike Donnerstag on 07/01/2022 19:01:49:

Andy: I am having the 'clunking' problem with my SX3. Would you say this is due to the gib too tight or too loose?

Mike

Hi.. sorry mike , I missed your post…and my thoughts would be its binding as you wind the head down because the gib is to tight or able to move fractionally because its not locked in place…..but that's just been my experience.. I dont think I've experienced the sticking problem if the gib strip was loosened off a little..

The only way you can know for sure is to keep playing with .. it is as I said a time consuming setting to get right..and as I said above if the head is geared when you are trying to adjust the jib clearance you loose the feel of what is going on..

Andy..

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