Sherline Products 5000 series Operating Instructions Manual

WEAR YOUR
SAFETY GLASSES
FORESIGHT IS BETTER
THAN NO SIGHT
READ INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE OPERATING
CAUTION!
Read All Operating Instructions Carefully Before
Attempting Any Machining Operations.
General Description
At first glance, a vertical mill looks similar to a drill
press, but there are some important design differences;
for example, the mill has a spindle that can take side loads
as well as end loads and an accurate method of moving
work in relation to the spindle on all three axes. It is wise
to memorize these "X," "Y" and "Z" axes, because, since
the advent of complex electronically controlled milling
machines, these terms have become common "shop talk,"
even outside engineering departments. Feed screws with
calibrated handwheels control movements on these three
axes. The handwheel calibrations are quite accurate and
should be used whenever possible.
Angles can be machined by removing the headstock
alignment key and rotating the milling head to the
appropriate angle to the work or by holding the work at
an angle to the spindle.
Z
FIGURE 1—The axes of movement for milling on a standard
3-axis vertical milling machine.
(NOTE: Lighter than normal cuts should be taken when the
alignment key is not in place.) The latter method must be
used for drilling on 5000/5400-series mills to keep the drill
movement parallel with the machine slide. Angle drilling
can also be accomplished without removing the alignment
key by using the optional rotary column attachment (P/N
3500). (The Model 2000 mill is also capable of angle
drilling due to its multi-axis design.) All machine slides
SHERLINE PRODUCTS INC. • 3235 Executive Ridge • Vista • California 92081-8527 • FAX: (760) 727-7857
Toll Free Order Line: (800) 541-0735 • International/Local/Tech. Assistance: (760) 727-5857 • Internet: www.sherline.com
X
Y
Vertical Milling Machine

Operating Instructions

have an adjustable gib to compensate for any "play" that
may develop. (See "adjusting gibs" on page 12 of the
Assembly and Instruction
It is assumed that anyone purchasing a vertical milling
machine has had some experience working with metal
cutting tools; therefore, these instructions are somewhat
limited for a beginner. There is enough information,
however, to enable a good craftsman to get started. Using a
vertical mill correctly takes more skill and experience than
is required for lathe operation because of the additional
axis (vertical) and the more varied type of work that can
be performed.
The machine must be well maintained, for it is subject to
higher stresses than a lathe. This particular mill is one of
the smallest being manufactured and is an extremely useful
tool. However, it would be unreasonable to clamp a 3-pound
piece of stainless steel to the work table and expect to make
a 1-pound part from it. The key point is to work within the
capabilities of the machine, and those limitations can only
be determined by the operator.
Helpful Tips for Milling
• This is a small, light-duty mill and should not be used
to remove large amounts of stock that could be easily
removed with a hacksaw. For efficiency, select a piece
of stock as close to finished size as possible.
• Stresses on a mill are quite high when cutting most
materials; therefore, gib and backlash adjustments must
be properly maintained.
• End mills must run true and be sharp. Holding end
mills in a drill chuck is a poor practice. Use collets or
an end mill holder instead. The 3/8" end mill holder
(P/N 3079) allows you to use a large range of readily
available 3/8" end mills with your machine. (Several
other size inch and metric end mill holders are also
available.)
• Fly cutting is an excellent way of removing stock from
flat surfaces.
• Normal machine alignment is adequate for most
work, but if the work is exceptionally large or requires
extreme accuracy, shims may be employed to improve
machine alignment.
• For accurate setups you should have and know how to
use a dial indicator.
Guide.)
4/21/16