New mill just arrived, gib problem refitting table

[Colin ThorburnParticipant @colinthorburn94238]

Hello all. I'm a complete noob who has just acquired their first mill: Warco Super Major. I had to remove the table to get it through the shed door. I'm now refitting it and I'm starting to wonder if fitting it from the left (ie sliding it right ) is possible? I can't seem to get it past the gib. Is is just a case persevering with adjusting the gib or is fitting it this way as opposed to right to left doomed to failure? If I have to fit it right to left I've got my work cut out for me. Or am I barking up the wrong tree and I can refit the gib once the table is on the y-axis. I had a go but it seems very tight and I did not want to force it. It's a tapered gib narrow end to the left. Thanks folks. Looking forward to getting involved.

[Colin ThorburnParticipant @colinthorburn94238]

hints for refitting a mill table

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Colin

Taper gibs can be tricky if you are short on room and trying to do the job on your own. Machine parts are heavy and its quite easy to inadvertanty bend the gib.

Start by applying plenty of way oil to both sides of the gib and ways so things slide fairly easily but are held in place by the stiction of the oil.

Arrange the mutual positions of gib table and ways so there is clearance then everything should slide together.

One way is to prop the table in place far enough to one side that a little of the bed slideway cn be seen. Push the non gib side firmly up against the dovetail way and slide the gib into the gap. When its fully home and slide the table into a more balanced position and fit the adjuster.

The other way is to fit the gib to the table with a little of the large end showing so there is clearance along the dovetail way and fit the pair as one unit. That's the method I prefer but it is important that gib and table are adequately stuck together so there is little mutual movement as you slide the pair on. If you don't mange to get it right first time with a smooth sweep its easy to generate a sort of self locking effect during adjustments.

The exact details of the method depend on clearances around the amchine and how the adjusters are fitted. Had aright battle with my big square column mill whilst evolving a technique to eal with getting the adjusters in. Combination of lack of space in the machine and poor positioning.

Although I did both knee and tables on my Bridgeport by myself I can't advise working solo. Too hard to simultaneously see that things are correctly aligned and manipulate them. Unless you have snail style eyes on 6 ft stalks. In some ways the Bridgepot was easier because thiings are so heavy that proper support was essential.

Clive

[Colin ThorburnParticipant @colinthorburn94238]

Clive, many thanks for the detailed advice. It really helped. Got it in quite easily in the end after following your paragraph 5. Hopefully turning it on for the first time this afternoon!

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Fit the gib after fitting the table

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