Indicater holder for the mill

[8ntsane]

Last night I had to indicate a large diameter piece on the mill table. The piece was large enough that I couldnt use my co-axe indicater.
I was getting a bit ****** chasing the indicater around with a mirror,
so I decided it was time to dig into the scrap bin, and make up a tool
that would do away with the damn mirror, and be able to cover a wide range. This will go from 3/8 inch to 12 inch OD. Took about a hour to whip it up.

Just a piece of 1 inch OD bar stock, machined to 3/4 OD to fit in a collet. A 3/8 hole drilled through the side of it, and a 1/4-20 in the bottom. The bar is just 3/8 OD with a split bushing welded on the end.







I do have one of those holders that clamps onto the quill, but hate all the floppy parts, so this fills the bill nicely.

It will allso take the standard 1 inch travel dial indicater if needed. What I wanted was to have the dial face pointing up, where I could see the dang thing without mirrors.

 

[porter_jamie]

now i do like that. messing about trying to read the stupid clock behind the quill is not fun.

 

[Old Iron]

Theres anpther tool to make, Thanks for posting that I've got to build one.

Paul

 

[Tony Wells]

Nice idea, Paul. I like that. I rig up to have the face horizontal, but I don't believe I can sweep out to 12" with what I use. Not often, but could come in very handy.

 

[bcall2043]

Paul,

Geat looking tool and thanks, for the idea. I have added it to my needed tool list. You have also given me a good reason to buy an indicator like yours.:thinking:

Benny

 

[Hawkeye]

That's another one added to the project list. I like the use of the drill collar. Saves a few steps.

 

[Mark Lossner]

I feel your pain regarding those "floppy-elbow" stupid centering "aids". There are some slick indicator holders in the catalog, but they are a bit expensive.

I finally found this on another hobby machinist sites: http://homemetalshopclub.org/projects/indhold/hldr1.html

I will start making mine this coming weekend! Yay, a decent project for a newbee at last!!

Mark

 

[jumps4]

I have the floppy thing also
thanks for the idea
steve

 

[Pontiac Freak]

Nice! Very simple design and easy to copy )

 

[8ntsane]

Easy to copy, and make.
Just annoyed me chasing the indicater around with the mirror. I think the final staw was when I bonked my head on the hand wheel for the quill down feed.:angry: :nuts:

I really should have made one a long time ago.:lmao: