Thanks kevin-I was hoping you would see this
My mill is an '85 Sharp TMV. It is an import, but seems fairly stout. It doesn't have a knee like the newer tmv's do, but the head does turn 45* either way. I actually do check the tram before I do anything that requires some degree of precision. Also I check it whenever I return the head to a vertical position after using it on an angle. The tapered pin that is supposed to register the head is all wallowed out and doesn't work anymore. I have an old Alina .0-.015" test indicator that I use with a 6" extension.
I was concerned that I was going to mess up the spindle bearings or gears in the downfeed mechanism from the shock of punching. I wouldn't want to tell folks to do something that would tear up their machinery, just because I didn't know better.
thanks, mikey