Returning Bench Centers to Service

[Ulma Doctor]

I recently purchased bench centers at auction for a ridiculously low bid of $37.
i honestly didn't think i would win, but surprise, surprise!!!



the bummer part is that there was no indicator stand or attachment hardware present.

I'll take that as an opportunity to copy Starrett's idea for articulation and attachment, adding my touch (Read: mistakes & blemishes)



Act: 1
i figured i would take a stab at making the t-nut first
since i'm doing this project at home,
i'll be using the Ammco 7" shaper , South Bend 14" Drill Press and hand tools

i took a piece of .625" thick unknownium from the stock pile and palned it to .625" square


it machined like 1018, but that is purely speculation on my part.

i whittled on the billet for an hour or so and it started to take shape.
for size comparison, the t nut on the right is a standard 3/8 t nut
the nut for the bench centers is metric measurement


i got a bit of chatter on a roughing cut
i was experimenting with which plane to cut when forming the T
light cuts produce less chatter as evident in the photo above. the left side chattered, the right side did not.
the difference was side cutting VS plunge cutting.
plunge cutting produced a better finish in this instance.
since the chatter defects were low spots, i found the defects inconsequential to the operation of the nut and let it go.

the t nut fits like a glove in the slot !!!

i drilled and tapped the t nuts to 3/8-16 tpi to prepare for act:2....

Act:2 is coming soon to a thread near you!!!

stay tuned- same Bat time, same Bat channel

 

[benmychree]

Planeing is done on a planer, shaping is done on a shaper --- shape up!

 

[ThinWoodsman]

... or chip out?

 

[middle.road]

I see that it is etched 'VMS' must have come from DEC.
(let's see how many catch that reference...)

 

[C-Bag]

$37?!?!?!? Bat, you SUCK!

Score! I've only ever seen them for >>>>>$$$$$ so never went further than that, but can't wait to see what you do with it in the Bat Cave.

 

[middle.road]

If you don't have one, I do. It's a biggie, shafts are Ø3/4"
I can 'scrap' up the dimensions or more picts if you need them.

 

[benmychree]

... or chip out?

Good one!

 

[benmychree]

$37?!?!?!? Bat, you SUCK!

Score! I've only ever seen them for >>>>>$$$$$ so never went further than that, but can't wait to see what you do with it in the Bat Cave.

I have a 36" C-C B&S bench center that I would let go of; offers?

 

[mmcmdl]

Hey Doc , I have a very large surface gage / drop indicator gage in that same greenish color . Used to be in great shape but it's been sitting in a drawer out in the garage for years . I'm gonna pull it out and take a few pics . I used to use it for checking tapers coming off the cylindrical grinders , and I sure don't use them anymore .

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Hey Doc , I have a very large surface gage / drop indicator gage in that same greenish color . Used to be in great shape but it's been sitting in a drawer out in the garage for years . I'm gonna pull it out and take a few pics . I used to use it for checking tapers coming off the cylindrical grinders , and I sure don't use them anymore .

Thanks mmcmdl,(edited)
I’d be happy to trade for or pay for the indicator
I really appreciate the offer!