Altmill x gantry tramming instructions

I saw a link for tramming and xy squaring instructions, but they only mentioned tramming for the router assembly.

I have an altmill mk2, and I am trying to find documentation for tramming the x gantry. I saw IDC woodcraft adding 2 special nuts, but I would love to see actual documentation for that.

Only seeing the xy squaring instructions on that page makes it seem the x gantry tramming isn’t a thing anymore? But without seeing docs about that it’s hard to understand if it is or isn’t a thing.

Welcome to the forum!

I assume your referring to correcting any ā€˜nod’ so that the Z axis is perpendicular to the XY plane. I don’t have any official instructions, I can only share how I did my LongMill Mk1.

I loosened the bolts that connect the X rail to the Y gantry plates. Then I used a bar clamp to provide leverage so that I could hold the the X rail in the correct position as I tightened the bolts back up. I used a carpenters square between the spoil board and Z plate to check the angle. Not the most elegant solution but it worked. You’ll probably want a helper to tighten the bolts as you hold the X rail in position. Either that or use some cribbing to hold the clamp. I also used a towel to protect the rail from any clamp damage.

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@cniemann88 Sienci provides two eccentric bolts for tramming the Altmill but there is a note in the instructions that state tramming should not be required. If installed properly, it should all be fairly perpendicular. You might recall when you installed the end plate for the x gantry, the instructions stated to make sure the rail is right against the raised shoulder on the end plate.

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Thanks for this, I guess I need to read the installation instructions for the AltMill. It seems like the majority of questions are now AltMill questions and I don’t have one. :frowning: The more I learn about the AltMill the more improvements I see.

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Just to come full circle.

The are NO instructions for this. The video from IDC woodcraft about tramming uses other instructions, that aren’t wrong, but not freely available.

The package for the altmill comes with 2 special nuts, which seems like is 1 short of fully taking advantage of the tramming when needed. You can purchase more if needed/desired.

Now…something that maybe helpful…the instructions do state that it’s not likely that you need to tram out of the box, but that doesn’t help you when you surface and it’s clear that things aren’t aligned and you have lines…but before you want to consider tramming, go and triple check that you are level on all planes. After I re-leveled, everything was fine. Makes enough sense, but it may not be the first thing you think about.