Thread: Anyone Bought One Of These ??

I'm not sure where I found out about these, And I have been thinking about one for quite some time, Anyways long story short I folded tonight and ordered one direct from the company in the US, And it should be here over the next week or so. Just wondering how many others are out there and what your thoughts are..
Pro Tram System from Edge Technology Sale price: $89.99 All up with post cost me $114.00. Not to bad if you ask me.
Pro Tram System

Yep, bought one a couple of months ago for use with my X2 mill. Haven't used it as yet, it's in storage with with the mill, and everything else.

I've never seen one before. What is it for?...Tramming Mills?

Sterob

Mathew g,
They are a nice looking tool and I am sure you will enjoy using it. I was looking at buying that one a while back but deceided to make one instead, they are an easy project and sure save a lot of time tramming the mill.My one is in the " Your latest project" thread post 80.
Bob

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/yo...ml#post1240035

Hi Matthew_g,

I'll be interested to see how well it works, first thought is that it can't be as accurate as a single DTI, wouldn't any run-out on the collet upset the accuracy?

If it works, it would be a lot quicker to tram the mill.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Regards
Ray

Hi Ray,
The unit can be calibrated to the collet. The needles wont look as pretty, as they wont be synced. Watch the video in the link.
If you had 2 magnets the same thickness you could put them on the bed 180 degrees apart and still use one indictor. That would save some of the hassle of lifting the indictor tip off the bed as you swung it through 180.


Stuart

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi Matthew_g,

I'll be interested to see how well it works, first thought is that it can't be as accurate as a single DTI, wouldn't any run-out on the collet upset the accuracy?

If it works, it would be a lot quicker to tram the mill.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Regards
Ray

Hi Ray,
I think along the same lines as you from when these first come out a few years ago.
I think once set up, if you left it in the same collet chuck or end mill holder and positioned it in the spindle the same direction each time it would be OK, but depending on the individual set up, one needle maybe out to the other.

With Bobs design the dial indicator would be able to be adjusted up or down on set up to get the both needles reading zero, instead of being fixed like the bought one.

Not knocking these at all and I wouldn't mind trying one, but I find the vertical DTI (that Bob from WA kindly gave me ) much easier to use for tramming than the standard DTI as you don't need a mirror or a rubber neck, LOL and I think it would be just as quick.

Dave.

PS
I wonder if a similar set up would work to tram the table rotation on our type of mills?
It could be mounted to the knee dovetail ways.with the dial indicators touching the table.

Originally Posted by Dave J

I wonder if a similar set up would work to tram the table rotation on our type of mills?
It could be mounted to the knee dovetail ways.with the dial indicators touching the table.

I wouldn't think clamping to the dovetail would work as you couldnt calibrate it. Couldn't you just take the collect chuck out of the vertical spindle and put it in the horizontal spindle and check against the side of the table?

Stuart

Lads if you watch the video in the link I provided in my origional post, The is a callibration magnet that comes with each unit, This callibrates the Pro Tram each and every time you use it, And onlt takes a few seconds each time.
Now if your mill is like one of mine, The bloody thing is an absolute nightmare to tram the head, And just when you think you have it, and then breathe alittle heavier than normal, "BANG" she's out again.
So I'm kinda hoping that this will make my life just that little bit easier..
Matt.
I will let you all know my thoughts upon arrival...

Originally Posted by Stustoys

I wouldn't think clamping to the dovetail would work as you couldnt calibrate it. Couldn't you just take the collect chuck out of the vertical spindle and put it in the horizontal spindle and check against the side of the table?

Stuart

For the dovetail one, you would have to get the swivel table spot on first, then calibrate the unit which could then be used each time from then on, as long as it was stored protected.

Using the commercial unit in the horizontal spindle is a good idea, should have thought of that myself . I will have a check to see if the table comes up far enough to use it that way, if not a angle plate on the table could always be used.

Dave

Matthew, have you had a chance to try it out, and if so what do you think of it?

Dave

Originally Posted by Dave J

Matthew, have you had a chance to try it out, and if so what do you think of it?

Dave

Hi Dave,
Believe it or not it only arrived on Monday so not the fastest post in the world even though it was posted the day I made the purchase, BUT I have used it and if you want to know the definition of AWSOME !!! You just have to buy one
Very easy to use, takes only seconds to callibrate to the spindal and collett and about 2 min per axis on the mill..
The unit itself is extreamly well made(better than I was expecting actually) Even the padded case that it comes in is of good quality. All in all I would have to say probably one of the best investments I have made for the workshop other than the Mill and Lathe..
Matt

Sounds good, so you will be lending it out to everyone to see how good it is? LOL

I am not sure if I will buy one or make one, but the project list is long enough.

Dave

To be honest, for the money it's easier to just buy one. When you consider you would have to buy 2 dial indicators anyway.....
Matt

Thanks Matt didn't really need to see your post and that they had dropped the cost looked at one of these a year ago but didn't really have the dosh the Aussie $$ wasn't as good yada yada yada and well last night I just had to push the buy button couldn't help myself as it was red!.

Now I just have to finish off the enclosure and work out how to tram this little X3 .

Maybe when I get it someone may want to drop in and get a loan of it after showing me how to tram my mill .