Edge/Center Finders

[Farmersamm]

https://www.grainger.com/product/STA...nder-Set-5UAR7

Actually , deflection, and lead screw inaccuracy, will mostly make all your precision edge finding an exercise in futility

One way around it is to have a DRO, or use the poor man's DRO.....pancake dial indicator, or something equivalent.

I've always maintained that welding fabrication takes skill.....machining just takes a bottomless wallet

[milomilo]

Speaking of the wallet, I just got a 20 piece set of 1/8" parallels at HF today. Used my 25% coupon so ended up paying $26. I expect the bleeding will not stop in the near future.

[terry lingle]

No it will only get worse until you have enough mill bling that you realize you need a ....... better mill. Then the cycle starts again

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by terry lingle

No it will only get worse until you have enough mill bling that you realize you need a ....... better mill. Then the cycle starts again

So what mill are eyeing for the future?

[LKeithR]

Originally Posted by terry lingle

No it will only get worse until you have enough mill bling that you realize you need a ....... better mill. Then the cycle starts again

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. A drill/mill is better than nothing but it's a far cry from a real mill. The upside is that there's very little tooling that you'd buy for the drill/mill that you wouldn't be able to use on a proper one so not a lot of waste.

Chris should allocate so much money from his monthly tooling budget to a fund he sets aside for the purchase of a real one. It's inevitable...

[LKeithR]

Originally Posted by milomilo

So what mill are eyeing for the future?

For us? Or for you? I have a First LC 18; a Taiwanese built Bridgeport clone that weighs about 1000 lbs. more than a real Bridgeport. Terry has a really nice, clean clone--probably Taiwanese but I'm not sure--that I helped him find about 5-6 years ago and Gerry has his (relatively) new to him Lagun FTV-3 which is also an awesome machine. We're all livin' the dream--and paying the price --but it's worth it in every way.

You bein' a proud and patriotic American and all the only machine for you is a prime condition genyouwine Bridgeport. I don't think you'd be happy with anything else. Time to pony up Chris...

[terry lingle]

Well every once in a while my thoughts stray to that new CNC mill we had a look at

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by LKeithR

For us? Or for you? I have a First LC 18; a Taiwanese built Bridgeport clone that weighs about 1000 lbs. more than a real Bridgeport. Terry has a really nice, clean clone--probably Taiwanese but I'm not sure--that I helped him find about 5-6 years ago and Gerry has his (relatively) new to him Lagun FTV-3 which is also an awesome machine. We're all livin' the dream--and paying the price --but it's worth it in every way.

You bein' a proud and patriotic American and all the only machine for you is a prime condition genyouwine Bridgeport. I don't think you'd be happy with anything else. Time to pony up Chris...

That was intended for Terry. I know you do not need another mill since you are retiring.

[terry lingle]

Truth is my shop has a 7ft 6 inch ceiling in it which puts a pretty hard limit on machine size.
I have had to get creative a couple of times to get enough travel range but a little thought and i get things done. If I was a full time machine shop the mill would definitely be larger.
All my machines and tooling have paid there bills and I am happy.

The first job I got for the mii put it in the black.
It was making arbors for an adjust on the fly edger. the shafts were about as long as I could cut in one pass and needed key ways 180 degrees apart. I made 5 of them along with the mounting to allow the entire saw set to be swapped out in about 5 minuets when they got dull. The edger was fast enough that it would easily catch up with the head saw if it needed to stop for a blade change.

[69Z28Nut]

Originally Posted by milomilo

Looking at edge/center finders for the new to me mill. There a different styles. I know nothing about them as to which type is best.

Thinking about getting one like this. Comments?????

I prefer this one by Starrett because one side can edge find on flat & round stock while the other end can center on punch marks.

https://www.grainger.com/product/STA...er_Also_Viewed

Your also going to need this one too because larger round stoch will limit the use of the other Edge Finder.

Edge Finder, Single, Cylindrical End Type, 0.5 Tip Dia. (In.)
Brand MITUTOYO
Item # 1ZRN6
Mfr. Model #050109