Form Tool Adjustment Guide
Creation date: 10/1/2025 1:24 PM
Updated: 10/1/2025 1:24 PM
Z Direction adjustment in the machine: First loosen the two black screws that link to the dovetail. With these screws the loose the form tool holder should be free to move in the Z direction. The set screw on the side of the holder, next to the dovetail controls the position of the holder in the Z direction by butting up to a pin on the dovetail in the machine. Adjust that set screw the desired amount to lock the form tool holder into place. The set screw is 32TPI, so each full thread will move the holder 0.03125". Use loctite to guarantee the set screw does not move when the machine is running or when the holder is removed from the machine.
Center Height: With the holder out of the machine loosen the two-zinc plated (Gold) screws. Then turn the adjustment screw on the back of the holder to either raise or lower the center height of the cutter edge. The desired height for the cutting edge is 1.833" above the base of the block. Tighten the two-zinc plated (gold) screw to lock the center height in place once it is set correctly.
REMINDER: Adjusting the center height also changes the position of the tool in the X direction. You must retouch-off the form tool after adjusting the center height.
Taper adjustment: Start by loosening the two-zinc plated (Gold) screws. Then loosen the set screw on the back of the holder. Now, turning the flat head screw on the top of the holder will spin the eccentric pin that adjust the set taper of the holder. When the taper is set to the desired amount tighten the set screw and two-zinc plated (Gold) screws.
TIP: Using a finger on the side of the holder to feel the top block move while spinning the eccentric pin helps to gauge how much the taper is changing.