Machinist's Level help

Topics include, Machine Tools & Tooling, Precision Measuring, Materials and their Properties, Electrical discussions related to machine tools, setups, fixtures and jigs and other general discussion related to amateur machining.

Moderators: GlennW, Harold_V

John Hasler
Posts: 1852
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:05 pm
Location: Elmwood, Wisconsin

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by John Hasler »

ctwo wrote: Thu Sep 10, 2020 9:46 pm ...maybe I will just mill out the center 1/4 of the span.
I agree with Harold. Don't do that. Don't even drill it.
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10459
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by Bill Shields »

safest thing to do it stick some adhesive rubber feet on the bottom... :shock:
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
User avatar
ctwo
Posts: 2996
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:37 pm
Location: Silly Cone Valley

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by ctwo »

I don't understand. It is a chord that I cut from a brake rotor, and I've milled half an inch into the top fins and around 100 thou into the bottom already. I feel as though I need to place it into a 500F oven for half a day and let it cool, and then lap it again on my surface plate. Milling it for four long feet instead of two rails would seem to be an easier thing to dial in.

I would not be surprised if it cracked in the oven though...
Standards are so important that everyone must have their own...
To measure is to know - Lord Kelvin
Disclaimer: I'm just a guy with a few machines...
User avatar
Harold_V
Posts: 20231
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:02 pm
Location: Onalaska, WA USA

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by Harold_V »

It is highly unlikely that the piece is free of stresses, in spite of the work you've done. If you wish to stabilize the stresses, the 500F you spoke of won't do it. What will do it is 550°C---650°C (1022°F ----1202°F).

Your fear of cracking is likely unfounded. So long as you don't thermal shock or heat cast iron unevenly, it normally doesn't crack from heating. Simply start with ambient temperature, soak for 1½ hours per inch of cross section (once temperature has been achieved), then, if you hope to not introduce any new stresses (from rapid or uneven cooling) simply allow the part to cool in the furnace.

H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
John Hasler
Posts: 1852
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:05 pm
Location: Elmwood, Wisconsin

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by John Hasler »

ctwo wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:44 pm I don't understand. It is a chord that I cut from a brake rotor, and I've milled half an inch into the top fins and around 100 thou into the bottom already. I feel as though I need to place it into a 500F oven for half a day and let it cool, and then lap it again on my surface plate. Milling it for four long feet instead of two rails would seem to be an easier thing to dial in.

I didn't realize you were talking a level you made rather than one you purchased. I'd go ahead and mill a bit off the center to make feet and then re-lap.
User avatar
ctwo
Posts: 2996
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:37 pm
Location: Silly Cone Valley

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by ctwo »

Bill Shields wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 7:31 am sure it will...if the plate is truly level...then the level will show 'level' in both directions....

first $50 + shipping from 19734 takes it.

98 level.jpg

been in the box for 40 years....and I have 3!

which is a good thing since my 4th got broken in shipping 35 years ago.
It came a day early and I'm very pleased. Thanks Bill!
Standards are so important that everyone must have their own...
To measure is to know - Lord Kelvin
Disclaimer: I'm just a guy with a few machines...
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10459
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by Bill Shields »

very good...put it to good use.

remember...bubble side up
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
User avatar
Harold_V
Posts: 20231
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:02 pm
Location: Onalaska, WA USA

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by Harold_V »

Bill Shields wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 7:23 am remember...bubble side up
Hmmm!
I wonder :idea:
Could that be part of the trouble I've had with levels? :P

H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10459
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by Bill Shields »

It has a lot of miles on it..

Started in Mass...shipped to middle east (Saudi Arabia)...back
to Delaware then to California over 40 year time period.

And never been used
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
User avatar
ctwo
Posts: 2996
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:37 pm
Location: Silly Cone Valley

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by ctwo »

It is a world class level :)

I had not realized that there is a small vertical bubble in the center. I was reading about the cross bubble, but have not seen a use case for the vertical bubble (should say vial). I suppose I could put it on my mill or drill press quill.
Standards are so important that everyone must have their own...
To measure is to know - Lord Kelvin
Disclaimer: I'm just a guy with a few machines...
User avatar
seal killer
Posts: 4696
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:58 pm
Location: Ozark Mountains

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by seal killer »

All--

I got it! Thank you for all the help.

The secret was to find a stable surface on which to set my granite surface plate. I used one of the free-floating shelves I built in the new shop. Although the shelf is strong, I avoided touching it; the only thing I touched was the adjustment mechanism on the level and I used a dental pick to adjust that. Since the shop floor is concrete, there weren't any issues there.

I think a level with a better, much finer thread and easier to use adjustment mechanism would be a vast improvement. From looking at the pictures, it appears that Mitutoyo and Accusize use the same form factor as Grizzly. I'll bet their implementations are not as difficult to adjust, though.

--Bill
You are what you write.
pete
Posts: 2518
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:04 am

Re: Machinist's Level help

Post by pete »

Fwiw my Mit uses a shcs Bill and I've never noticed much issue the few times it's needed adjusting.
Post Reply