Update 1: Called COA 3/18/2015 8am, got advice on what to check and they are sending me some shims for the Gib. The play I am experiencing in the Z-axis may be a loose gear bolt on the Z lead screw.
Update 2: 3/18/2015 6pm, I just inspected it again, I didn't find the gear loose, however I have found that there is excessive play in the Z-axis nut.
Ouch, the screw driver is against the Z nut. The head is resting on that piece of wood. The head is not moving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyCSX4G5t8E
Original post below:
To begin, this mill was far from ready to go out of the crate. There is a major issue that will test Charter Oak Automation's customer service.
1) Y-axis lead screw bearing mount was LOOSE
2) X-axis lead screw bearing mounts, bolts not torqued
3) Z-axis crank bearing mount, bolts not torqued, one bolt LOOSE
4) Z-axis crank handle set screw set on the round, not the flat of the crankshaft (you can tell by the witness mark on the round)
5) Y-axis gib LOOSE (screws were not even touching gib)
6) Z-axis gib undersized, ran out of adjustment
7) The Z-axis nut is messed up after I did some work (4 holes) near the top of travel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTVfNZ8_D34
I don't even feel safe using this mill anymore, I question if the head will suddenly fall down on my arm and maim me.