The Home Machinist!

Pete:

That is a point that I also agree with...first take the measurement and then look at the reading. I don't think it matters whether one looks at the dial during the measurement if one can concentrate on feeling the instrument.

Best regards, Jack

Along the lines of calibration, I began to wonder if I could “self calibrate” using only the limited equipment that I have on hand. For the first phase I compared the readings between my dial caliper with internal jaws measuring a 1” wide parallel and my mike measuring the external jaws of the dial ...

This thread brings back memories relating to measurements. Prior to retirement, I have been the Engineering Representative to the Material Review Boards of several companies. I have always had a lot of faith in Machinists ability to make parts to print, so it was not uncommon for me to challenge a r...

Durn! That is a shocking way to treat my favorite tool that I use for making pressed fits using the internal and external jaws. I don't think that he has the right "feel" for calibrating a dial caliper. :shock: I have been watching the watchmaker's videos on You Tube and they never seem to...

Very good story...that machine probably made parts/assemblies that were stamped "Made in Hong kong". Reminds me of the stop the Kearsarge made in Hong Kong during the Korean War. I didn't get to Kowloon but dickered for a taylor made suit for $4.00 in Hong Kong. Space to store purchases we...

I was smurfing around on the watchmakers posts on "You Tube" and ran across one that was sticking thin discs on the end of a rod to machine the thickness and diameter of a balance wheel. He was using a small burner to heat what I think may be rosin to stick the part to the rod. I want to r...

Davo J: As I see it, the hold down feature on some vices is required to make up for the fact that the screw is below the jaws, whereas my vice has the screw in line with the jaw which I consider a superior location. I want to buy some other stuff like angle plates, wigglers/edge finders, etc. and wo...

spro:

It is a gap bed...I can see the short rack under the way.

Those stairs do look intimidating...good planning.

Best regards, Jack

Davo J: Thank you for the descriptions of your similar adventure. I had already machined the area under the fixed jaw flat and have yet to machine the top of the ways flat so that parallels will be true. I have been thinking about bonding a filler strip under the fixed jaw to bring it even with the ...

Bill:

I just finished it yesterday so I have not used it at all except for testing the jaw lift and cranking it back and forth. It always clamped OK.

The feel is great with a nice snug drag with no sign of play.

Best regards, Jack

With all of the talk about vises pros and cons, I decided to see if I needed a better vise than the one that came with my Grizzly 3617 V/H mill (the one that people love to trash). I have been using it without problems and the only thing that I had to complain about was the looseness of the slide an...

Davo J:

Good! You can't go wrong overbuilding as long as it doesn't have to fly.

I come from a long line of overdoers as well.

Best regards, Jack