Just had a somewhat related thought ...
I've not worked as a machinist, so I may be somewhat off base. I'll be more than happy to hear from any of you "real" guys.
Anyway, my understanding is that professional machinists are expected to have their own measurement and setup tools. Unusual tools, spare cutters, drill bits, super-precision measuring tools, etc. are there in the tool room. Well, as home machinists, we don't have the luxury of a tool room. So we have to equip ourselves with whatever seldom-used tools we need or might anticipate needing. Guess that's just the way things go.
I also recall the "sticker shock" when, shortly after retiring from HP, I had to purchase something other than the common stuff you can get at Home Depot. I was so used to just writing up a requisition and letting the purchasing department take it from there. It was all "funny money" ... until I had to pay it myself!
If producing parts or assemblies where the radii are the major feature of the function then radius gauges are essential, if some one simply likes radiused corners for aesthetic reasons they are not required, make the part as visually appealing as you like.I'm ready to make dies for my bead roller and Planishing hammer and radius gages are essential. There would be no way to do it accurately otherwise. I guess it's a good thing they are pooh poohed because I was able to pick up a basically new Starrett set off eBay for less than a new import set!
Most small shops <25 employees would not likely require a prospective employee to own large measuring tools or hundreds of smaller tools that have a limited size range such as bore micrometers as seen here http://www.starrett.com/metrology/m...isplayMode=grid&itemsPerPage=24&sortBy=wp/ascJust had a somewhat related thought ...
I've not worked as a machinist, so I may be somewhat off base. I'll be more than happy to hear from any of you "real" guys.
Anyway, my understanding is that professional machinists are expected to have their own measurement and setup tools. Unusual tools, spare cutters, drill bits, super-precision measuring tools, etc. are there in the tool room. Well, as home machinists, we don't have the luxury of a tool room. So we have to equip ourselves with whatever seldom-used tools we need or might anticipate needing. Guess that's just the way things go.
I also recall the "sticker shock" when, shortly after retiring from HP, I had to purchase something other than the common stuff you can get at Home Depot. I was so used to just writing up a requisition and letting the purchasing department take it from there. It was all "funny money" ... until I had to pay it myself!