I inherited an Excel 8" swing grinder in bits I have put it back together and all looks good the spindle runs sweet but I am not happy with the way it grinds.  I dressed the wheel and it has not made any difference.

The spindle head had been removed and when I replaced it I trammed it square to the table like a mill.

My concern is this:-

There was no manual with it or one to be found on line so I am not sure if the head should be square to the table or at a slight angle to stop back cutting.

Has anybody any experience of these type of machine?.

The picture is the machine in question.

Thanks for any help.
Graham

Cool machine !
Sure you saw this :
http://www.lathes.co.uk/excel/page4.html

The "settle down" feature is neat. Everything there probably clean and working well.

Can be swiveled, but flat work will likely be cut by the trailing edge.

I'd shoot for true and flat.

Good to see ya Graham !
Russ

Hi Russ,

thanks for the input, I have read the lathes.co.uk site.

This evening I trammed the spindle square to the table over a 10" diameter swing and got .0005" (0.01mm) TIR.  I then dressed the wheel and replaced the mag table and ground a 2" billet in .0005" cuts.  The finish is not what I expected it looks stepped and it rocks when placed on the surface table.

I think I need to take a closer look at the mag table.

If the chuck is flat, and is perpendicular to the column, can you swing the spindle across the chuck while watching an indicator at the chuck surface ?
Might see a deviation during / after the "step down" through the course of the swing.
May be some wear in those mating surfaces ?
Eliminate the chuck and test grind a block clamped directly to the base.
I like that style of grinder, wish I had one.
See ya,
good luck,
Russ