Warco WM250 Lathe and Warco WM18 Milling machine (Advice please)

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Dave

I agree, and I would go one step further………..

Although I use it because sometimes it is the only practical method, I am not a great fan of a DTI on a magnetic stand with three joints in it, as again it introduces some margin for cumulative error. The minimum I do is try and get all the rods as short as possible.

Were I conducting that test, I think I would be inclined to do away with the DTI stand altogether, and (carefully) clamp the lug on the back of the DTI directly in to my machine vice, the latter being bolted to the table.

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

To check if the quill is perpendicular to the table, proceed as follows :

Fully extend the quill and clamp it.
Mount your magnetic base on the table & set up a dial gauge to bear on the front of the quill as close as possible to where it exits the head casting. (You may need to use a finger clock to get close to the top of the quill & so be able to check over the longest distance.)
Clamp the head to the column.
Using the X axis (table moving left – right) "wipe" the dial gauge across the quill and adjust so that the needle reads zero on the high point. (Note that you may get a different reading depending on the direction of movement – just remember which way you were moving to get the zero when you take the next reading.)
Unclamp & raise the head such that the dial gauge reads close to the bottom of the quill (don't touch the dial gauge !). Reclamp the head.
"Wipe" the dial gauge across the quill again & the error is the highest (or lowest) reading on the gauge at the high point on the quill when moving in the direction that you set the initial zero.

Then repeat the process, but with the dial gauge set on the side of the quill & "wipe" it with the Y axis (table moving front – back) rather than the X.

The readings "should" be pretty well the same top & bottom from both setups – my guess is that the side value will be close & the front value will be out.

If the column is perpendicular to the table in both directions (as you suggested earlier) & the quill isn't, that suggests that the quill bore isn't parallel to the rotating joint face at the rear of the head casting. This could well be the source of your front to back tramming error.

HTH

Nigel B

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Posted by JasonB on 24/04/2018 13:33:20:

John, these small mills generally use the quill to put on a cut that is why it has the cheap digital reader on the quill.

I assume your comment was aimed at me…..?

I must have missed the reader ……never mind…its late in the day and I've been busy with other stuff

Edited By John Rudd on 24/04/2018 15:30:21

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

I shall try that mgnbuk thanks

I did message warco and they just replied saying

We are sorry to learn of this. Can you slightly slacken off the larger of the two nuts which lock the head. Only the small nuts needs to be tight to lock it.

There is two nuts one through centre the head pivots about and one just below which is the locking nut I assume he means the centre nut to slake it off a tad?.

Edited By STK2008 on 24/04/2018 16:46:13

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by STK2008 on 24/04/2018 16:44:50:
I shall try that mgnbuk thanks

I did message warco and they just replied saying

We are sorry to learn of this. Can you slightly slacken off the larger of the two nuts which lock the head. Only the small nuts needs to be tight to lock it.
There is two nuts one through centre the head pivots about and one just below which is the locking nut I assume he means the centre nut to slake it off a tad?.

Edited By STK2008 on 24/04/2018 16:46:13

I would ask the person at Warco that sent you the message what he meant!

[Mark DickinsonParticipant @markdickinson21936]

Posted by STK2008 on 24/04/2018 13:34:38:

Tramping back to front I get 0.006" with no way to fix it as the head does not nod.

STK, to tram the head fore and aft, do a google for G0704 3 Bolt mod. You may fid that will help fine tune the head.

Mark

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Ok then did what I think Warco meant and made no diff.

I redid my test when I ran the DTI up and down the Z column just to see if the spindle spun it realy does not its to stiff for it to rotate etc plus as you can see the DTI returns to zero every time if the spindle had spun it would read some thing else.

 

I am slowly loosing the will to live I have spent 3 days on this and every test I do all be it not 100% the best gives same sort of results.

 

I did what mgnbuk

Believe it or not I got 0.001" so nothing so the quill is square in the casting so to speak.

So only thing it can be is the head not sitting on the Z axis square front to back? off course this is ok left to right as I can tilt the head but not nod.

 

In the videos its off that much the verdict actually leaves the surface completly.

**LINK**

**LINK**

in both these tests the spindle did not spin.

I can only think of a few things that would cause such an issue.

 

A . Head not correctly seated on Z axis piller

B. Quill on the pee (but seems ok)

 

Would a set of these be better to move the quill up and down on rather than my engineers square?

 

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Workholding/Vee-Blocks-Angle-Plates/Stevensons-Metric-Blocks

 

Edited By STK2008 on 24/04/2018 20:41:40

[VicParticipant @vic]

Posted by John Rudd on 24/04/2018 12:43:42:

In terms of using the machine, ordinarily you would use the quill for drilling holes, the Z axis being used for milling…as I was taught…and as I use my machine ( VMC/Chester 626 )

I agree, this is what I was taught as well. I only ever use the quill on my VMC for drilling.

I don’t know why some compromise the rigidity of their mill by extending the quill instead of raising the knee or lowering the head but they do.

[Anonymous]

I also use the quill on my vertical mill with a boring head, when the power downfeed comes in useful.

As has been said it is pretty difficult to set up a measurement so that one, and only one, possible geometric error is being measured. It's even more difficult to get consistent results, and if the measurements are not consistent all bets are off. The OP would be best advised to stop worrying about a potential error and just use the mill to make some parts to start with. If indeed there is a geometric error it will show itself soon enough.

Andrew

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by STK2008 on 24/04/2018 20:16:33:

Would a set of these be better to move the quill up and down on rather than my engineers square?

**LINK**

.

It's impossible to answer that meaningfully, without knowing the accuracy of your square.

But, I can see no reason to expect them to be any more accurate than a decent test square.

… is their squareness specified ?

Schlesinger illustrates the use of a square, and mentions in the text that it should be clamped to the table.

In general terms, I believe your test method is correct.

Checking the square; clamping it to the table; and improving the rigidity of your indicator-mount would all improve confidence in your results though.

MichaelG.

.

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

So yeah from that diagram I’m seeing the head being trammed while moving the table up which would be what I’m doing when I move the whole head up and down

Then I see in the diagram moving the quill up and down to also check that.

Now when I move the head up and down if I’m not wrong it shows that my z axis column is fine as I get no more than 0.002″ over about 60mm or so I can live with that.

But as soon as I move the quill up and down its game over 0.015″+.
I understand what every one is saying g.

Is square well square yes I’m sure moving head up and down would show more than the 0.002″ I was getting g if not?.

So I removed that and used the z axis column same issue.

I then made sure spindle is not moving I’m sure it’s not its to stiff to rotate and I did not see any movement at all plus verdict returns to my original zero.

I’m not going to lie this issue is gutting me I’ve saved for a very very long time I just want to make stuff etc.

I will cut some metal tomorrow and see what I get.

Thank you to every one for assisting me with this truly do appriciate this.

P.s I’m on me phone and it’s terrible on this forum the window I have to type in is about 2cm big what’s up with that? Lol.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by STK2008 on 24/04/2018 20:16:33:.

…

 

I am slowly loosing the will to live I have spent 3 days on this and every test I do all be it not 100% the best gives same sort of results.

 

I did what mgnbuk

Believe it or not I got 0.001" so nothing so the quill is square in the casting so to speak.

…

 

In the videos its off that much the verdict actually leaves the surface completly.

**LINK**

…

I can only think of a few things that would cause such an issue.

 

A . Head not correctly seated on Z axis piller

B. Quill on the pee (but seems ok)

…

 

Edited By STK2008 on 24/04/2018 20:41:40

I fear there's a distinct possibility you're winding yourself up. Another explanation to A. and B. is that your measurements are suspect. There's much more to taking reliable measurements than common sense and it's easy to make mistakes and mislead yourself. (As I know to my cost!) At the moment I can't tell if there's a problem with the mill or not; I can see why you're suspicious but the evidence is flawed.

Here's an example. I've never tried using a lever DTI sideways as shown in your video.

Isn't it likely that the lever will tend to flex and scuff across the surface? I don't know, and bet you don't either. Another issue – the DTI is mounted on the end of a long bendy rod acting as an amplifier – a small movement at the spindle end will register as a much bigger movement on the dial. Good if that's the aim, very bad if it happens by accident.  The video suggests it's accidental.

What I suggest is that you put your measuring kit in a box and swallow the key. While it's temporarily in transit use the opportunity to cut metal. Try the mill for real and see how you get on. Experiment and ask more questions. Add to your experience, gather more evidence and take it from there. With luck all is well; if not Warco are only a phone call away.

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 24/04/2018 22:54:20

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

The classic method of checking a woodworker’s square was to scribe a line across a face or side and then turn the square around and scribe another line at thecsame origin. If both lines coincided, the square was good.

Same would apply to an engineering square but using a dial indicator to check any deviation and in which direction.

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Yeah I see your point about the sideways verdict.

I did do same test with dti though.

I understand the jig is um rather long and could flex.

I will place my verdict directly into an er32 collet tomorrow so no jig at all the run it up and down my engineers square which I shall also check is square but I’m pretty sure.it is but I will check.

I’m going to cut metal tomorrow honest lol.
I’ve read that saw toothing will happen on a none trammed head etc so will do a few passes over metal moving the table across some to cut a largish area and see what finish I get.

If I had a flycutter I would cut a large surface I would expect to see it uneven if I then checked the surface with my verdict chucked into me er32 collet but hey I ain’t got one so can’t lol.

Thanks again all .

[Gas_mantle.Participant @gas_mantle]

Silly Old Duffer has hit the nail on the head, put the measuring gear away and cut some metal.

I can't believe after all the hype that it may take a few days extra for delivery you then spend 3 days trying to measure a fault that quite possibly doesn't exist without cutting metal first.

I'm no expert but I have the same machine from a different supplier, all I did was cut scrap for a week then start measuring, a bit of an adjustment to the gibs and a squirt of oil is it needed once it had been used a bit.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Posted by Gas_mantle. on 24/04/2018 23:25:16:

Silly Old Duffer has hit the nail on the head, put the measuring gear away and cut some metal.

I can't believe after all the hype that it may take a few days extra for delivery you then spend 3 days trying to measure a fault that quite possibly doesn't exist without cutting metal first.

I'm no expert but I have the same machine from a different supplier, all I did was cut scrap for a week then start measuring, a bit of an adjustment to the gibs and a squirt of oil is it needed once it had been used a bit.

Agreed, cut some metal and see how it performs. And get a Flycutter, something with about a 2” dia head. They are extremely useful for getting nice flat surfaces on modest sized workpieces.

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Morning all

 

Well I did some cutting and honestly it does show the issue im having even on this small cut

So I was doing a light cut.cutting left to right.

I then placed my verdict directly into the er32 collet so no jigs etc not that i needed to you can clearly see saw toothing back to front.

I ran a verdict left to right the parts is perfectly flat but back to front every time it hits a saw tooth it drops 0.001" which would make sense.

on some of the pictures it looks as though the ridges fade off but thats just the light the ridges are across the whole part.

 

https://imgur.com/lKFlz9E

https://imgur.com/ZqsG6CJ

https://imgur.com/JoFXCrp

https://imgur.com/1hoQoqQ

https://imgur.com/xNLcdBR

 

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:10:26

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:10:50

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:11:25

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:11:51

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:12:35

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:08:27:

Morning all

Well I did some cutting and honestly it does show the issue im having even on this small cut

< etc. >

.

It's time to invite Warco to exchange it, I would think.

MichaelG.

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

totaly gutted tbh.

It was a nightmare getting this machine in the workshop hireing a crane getting the crane then taking it back etc lol .

it says on website for first 6 months warco comes to your house does that mean if they decide to take whole machine its down to them to come get it etc?.

 

Hope so as realy it was a nightmare LOL

 

going to forward the pics i just did to warco etc.

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:37:11

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

It looks as if there's a case to answer.

Those of us who've bought from Warco will be interested to know the outcome.

Edited By Mick B1 on 25/04/2018 10:43:55

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

ok to complete the test I did back to front to see how it was trammed left to right and I am very impressed its smooth as any thing i could hope for I measured it running my verdict across the surface and nothing nadda.

 

yes there is what looks like lines but unlike the left to right i cant feel nothing and verdict dont even register them

 

**LINK**

 

so yep left to right (nod) is shot to hell gutted totaly gutted

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:51:43

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 10:55:28

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

+1 on getting Warco involved.

Jim

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Mick B1

lets just hope they agree to collect as I am meant to be getting a lathe from them to which is all booked in just waiting for a stand

I might suggest they send a new mill and the lathe at the same time and then drop both off together and collect old mill when they come makes sense?.

[Frederic FrenereParticipant @fredericfrenere44328]

Did you speak to the company? They have good feedback in England and I'm sure they will wish to keep your goodwill. Good luck I hope that you get this problem solved. 

Fred

 

Edited By Frederic Frenere on 25/04/2018 11:05:35

Edited By Frederic Frenere on 25/04/2018 11:07:35

[STK2008Participant @stk2008]

Frederic

 

Yeah just emailed them will possibly ring to just to explain I have sent them emails with images to explain the issue better.

 

Ohhh gutted what a nightmare LOL.

Edited By STK2008 on 25/04/2018 11:09:49

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