Tram table

[Hopsteiner]

In my scrap steel stash, I happened to have a large 10 inch precision ground on both sides steel disc. I got to thinking this would make a perfect mill tram table. What if it had legs, even better. Then you wouldn’t have to move the vise. The four legs would have to be precisely the same length. That would be the only problem. The first picture is me drilling the 1 inch stainless round stock for the 5 inch 1/2-13 socket screws. Believe me a pilot hole is a must. That and sharp drills. In the second photo, I’m using my collet chuck with an internal stop to get all 4 legs exactly the same length. Even with that, after checking all 4 there were .010 discrepancies between the legs with a height gage and surface plate. Resetting up the long ones and using the collet chuck and a dial indicator to check how much I was cutting off solved the problem. Next step is to drill and tap 4 holes in the plate and check the whole plate for exact level. The last photo is off the collet and parts, with the internal stop, collet and one of the legs. I don‘t know if anyone’s noticed but steel prices are UP. The stainless 1 inch rod 30 inches long cost close to $50. Wow!

 

[Hopsteiner]

In the first photo, I’ve tapped the holes to mount the legs, 1/2-13 NC. The stainless 1” legs are 5 1/2 inches tall so when mounted the table will fit over my vise. The second photo shows the legs mounted. They have to be all the same heigh, so I checked them with an indicator. I found that two of the legs were a little high. An easy fix I thought. Just mill .0025 off one and .002 off the other. Even with a light cut, the vibration was disconcerting. In the last photo, milling finished, legs mounted and checking table with an indicator. .0005 in both direction over 9 inches. Totally acceptabl.