JET Vertical Mill Ram Travel

[sbosecker]

I recently acquired a JET Vertical Mill. Yesterday I positioned it in my shop but, after the fact, I realized I may have underestimated the distance I needed to set the machine from the wall.

Since I have not owned or operated a "Bridgeport" style machine I am ignorant on the limits of the mill's ram travel. I have posted a query in my build thread.

Lone Beech Garage Thread Post

I'm hoping someone with real world experience can give me a little direction.

Scott

 

[DocsMachine]

The only real "stops" you'll reach on a Bridgeport-style ram like that, is when the center pinion gear runs out of ram-mounted rack gear.

I haven't tried it myself (I have the Grizzly version of that machine) but the ram could be slid backward at least a couple inches past when the dovetails are level with each other (as in your first photo) and can likely be slid forward maybe at least 2-3" (more or less safely) forward past the end of the ram dovetail.

I think it'll physically exceed that both directions, but I think if you don't exceed that 2-3" of overlap on either end, you're still pretty safe.

I've had mine backed up to the wall close enough the ram can't go more than maybe 1/2" or so further back than your first picture, and it's almost never proven to be a problem in 15 years.

Doc.