Old timer told me to check my backlash every morning and I ignored him for 6 months

Been running a Haas VF-2 for about two years now. There's this guy Frank who's been here since the 90s and he kept saying to check backlash first thing. I figured it was old school nonsense since the machine seemed fine. Woke up one Monday and my tolerances were all over the place. Spent 3 hours chasing a 0.003" error on a part run. Finally checked the backlash on my X axis and it was way out. Adjusted it and everything went back to normal. Has anyone else had a older machinist give advice that you blew off then later found out they were spot on?

3 comments

3 Comments

cora5181mo ago

Doubt it was that bad. Probably just needed a coffee lol.

dakotab931mo ago

Learned that lesson the hard way with a Bridgeport that started eating end mills.

parker_palmer441mo ago

Take a good look at your drawbar and collet stackup. If it's not pulling tight enough, the tool will walk and chatter, then eat itself. Check for wear in the spindle bearings too, that'll make things worse fast.