Some Useful Lathe Tools

I haven't tried a DRO yet always done it the old way, but I might have to soon, as my eyes aren't what they used to be. I had to trade the old faithful vernier caliper in for a digtal one a few years ago, I just couldn't read the fine divisions any more.

I don't have a problem with the dials on my new lathe, the lead screws are all imperial but all the hand wheels are calibrated in both imperial and metric, and so far appear to be quit accurate.
 
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Monitoring the tool post instead of the cross slide when making adjustments especially when I used to thread with the compound or making sub thou cut to hit a certain dimension

When turning to a shoulder I feel more confident watching an analog indicator instead of digits flipping around. I love the Trav-A-Dial.


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Monitoring the tool post instead of the cross slide when making adjustments especially when I used to thread with the compound or making sub thou cut to hit a certain dimension

When turning to a shoulder I feel more confident watching an analog indicator instead of digits flipping around. I love the Trav-A-Dial.


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Looks good, but they're awfully bloody expensive.
 
I haven't tried a DRO yet always done it the old way, but I might have to soon, as my eyes aren't what they used to be. I had to trade the old faithful vernier caliper in for a digtal one a few years ago, I just couldn't read the fine divisions any more.

I don't have a problem with the dials on my new lathe, the lead screws are all imperial but all the hand wheels are calibrated in both imperial and metric, and so far appear to be quit accurate.

I reckon, I could make a pretty good DRO out of a digital caliper, works in Imp, and metric, can reset zero anywhere, and very cheap.
 
I really rely on my dial indicator mounts for accuracy. Nothing I've tried had as big an impact on the quality of my work. I have fixed mounts on my xslide and long feed. I used movable magnetic mounts on my compound and milling attachment.




xCROSS SLIDE DI MOUNT WIDE.JPGCARRIAGE FEED   DI    2 INCH.JPG
 
In the states we call those BFH

Or Big F***** Hammer. A very useful tool in the auto repair industry.
I always say "if you haven't fixed it yet, you haven't used a big enough hammer",old marine engineers saying.
 
I use my collet chuck way more than I thought I would. After I got used to using the DRO I find it very helpful. I often have to make repairs to metric machines. Being able to instantly switch " to mm big +! The DRO is also a big help in setting the taper attachment. Calculating angles using the built in calculator is a nice feature. So is being able to store up to 99 positions for when doing multiples work. It shows the actual position, no counting turns or not remembering if I took up the back lash.
 
For collecting swarf I use a Bingo magnet... Works great...
Two more for the list...
A spring making attachment. Never hold spring making wire with your hands.
second... I put a pipe threading fast close chuck on the far left side of my
head stock to help hold long bars when turning. It also makes a good bar stop
for making repeated parts.
 
I am trying to get to the point where I am threading in reverse. I have a few tools to build before I jump in with 2 feet. We are building a shop at our house this year so it may be a while before I get time to set my room. Will be nice to have all my tools and machines in one place that is not in my basement!!!
 
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