Clamps For Holding Dtis Etc To Rods

[BillWood]

Hey,

Am a bit tired of the clamping system on my magnetic based dti holder. 2 thin steel shells with holes in them

Looks exactly like this one. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41yylvUp1FL._SY355_.jpg

Have tried googling to see what sort of diy ideas exist but I must be using the wrong keywords. Can only find things for sale.

Can anybody give me a hand either with appropriate keywords to google or links to pages with photos of diy clamping systems ?

I've rescued this surface gauge from a woodworker who didnt know what it was and need to make some clamps for it too - the current ones wont tighten fully and keep slipping. It does seem like a quality tool maybe I'm doing something wrong ? Needs a cleanup.

Little clams for these things have gotta be a standard newb project.

Bill

 

[TommyD]

Can't you fab something based on the link? For the spring you can use an old clock spring or two dials held together with a bolt and wing nut.

 

[rgray]

A quality clamp will have a center shaft that has two flat sides and a washer that fits those flats. Then there is a flat washer, spring and the knurled nut. If the clamp doesn't tighten before the center shaft bottoms on the washer it will not tighten down.

Looking at your pic. The center shaft comes through your nut much farther than any of mine. If it has the flat sided shaft it is probably bottoming out. If yours doesn't have the flat sided shaft then I'm all wet.

A good clamp with a center shaft with flat sides then has a collar that locates on the flats also. That way you don't have to line the holes up every time you put an indicator stem in it.

A simple clamp to make is just a block with two holes and a slitting saw cut. I have made a few like that out of brass or tool steel.
the clamp in the second pic on the right is from CDOC. The one on the left is their same one but with a homemade part to fit the shaft of a small surface gauge.

 

[Bob Korves]

Just buy a Noga holder and keep on smiling.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Hi BillWood,
i had a similar problem, so i made my own- from a scrap stainless steel machine part.
you can easily make them from other materials as well

here's my solution, maybe it may inspire...

the (black) indicator clamp was purchased from Shars via ebay
with a little fore thought, even those clamps could be reproduced if you were so inclined.

i'd like to see what you come up with
all the best

 

[BillWood]

Thanks for all the photos.

I've got a lot better understanding of what these things are supposed to be doing now and will have a go at making something.

I just couldnt see that the ones I had were ever going to work very well - its all 2nd hand so maybe my clamps never did match the posts.

Bill

 

[planeflyer21]

Good job Ulma Doctor! An indicator stand was one of our assignments in MTT at the local CC.