Machining question for lynnmor

[Pawnee]

I'm an amateur machinist.
Sometimes I need to find the center of a boss where I either don't want a mark in the center or it's too late to dimple it on the lathe.
In the attached pic I can use an edge finder to get one axis centered by using the jaw edges but in the other direction I'm not sure.
How would you do it?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[LostTrail]

What's the machine? Bridgeport (vertical) mill? When you reference using an edge finder, are you meaning one of the chuck loaded that has the spring end that 'pop' off center when spinning and bumping the piece? If so, once you find center of the jaws (Y-axis, I assume?), you could then raise the quill (Z-axis) and find center on the perpendicular (X-axis). Just a thought, not knowing what all your using.

 

[InTheWoods]

I put a 'swing-down' stop on the left side of my Kurt vise. I can easily use my edge finder to locate the back vise jaw as you describe, and them similarly locate the inside edge of the stop. Then the work goes in pushed against the stop as I tighten the vise.

 

[Sidekick]

I put the round in a collet if it's under an inch and a collet block on the bottom for clamping in the vice. Then move the vice until the square block kisses the fixed jaw then lower into the vice and clamp. Loosen the collet and replace with a drill chuck.

 

[barts]

I bought a co-ax indicator on sale, but there are a lot of ways to do this. Blondihacks goes through a bunch of them here:

She does a great job on these videos; clear, calm and focused.

 

[Pawnee]

What's the machine? Bridgeport (vertical) mill? When you reference using an edge finder, are you meaning one of the chuck loaded that has the spring end that 'pop' off center when spinning and bumping the piece? If so, once you find center of the jaws (Y-axis, I assume?), you could then raise the quill (Z-axis) and find center on the perpendicular (X-axis). Just a thought, not knowing what all your using.

It's a knee mill, Bridgeport style but Chinese.
Yes I use that kind of edge finder.
It doesn't work on a curved surface.

 

[Pawnee]

I put a 'swing-down' stop on the left side of my Kurt vise. I can easily use my edge finder to locate the back vise jaw as you describe, and them similarly locate the inside edge of the stop. Then the work goes in pushed against the stop as I tighten the vise.

I don't have a Kurt but I'm certainly jealous.
i like your stop but I can't always have the work pressed against it, the rod was just an example.

 

[Pawnee]

I put the round in a collet if it's under an inch and a collet block on the bottom for clamping in the vice. Then move the vice until the square block kisses the fixed jaw then lower into the vice and clamp. Loosen the collet and replace with a drill chuck.

I've done similar but don't have a collet block. That would work in this case but it's just an example, I don't always have a rod to find center of.

 

[Pawnee]

I bought a co-ax indicator on sale, but there are a lot of ways to do this. Blondihacks goes through a bunch of them here:

She does a great job on these videos; clear, calm and focused.

I'll watch that.
Mike

 

[Pawnee]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Wow, Blondi has come a long way, I haven't watched for quite a while. She has better equipment now and has learned a lot.

 

[lynnmor]

I would mount an indicator in the spindle and swing it in similar to what Blondi did at approximately 9:40. Of course she had way too much problem since she can't divide by two. Hopefully you have an indicator so you can tram the milling machine head in and indicate the vise.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I'm an amateur machinist.
Sometimes I need to find the center of a boss where I either don't want a mark in the center or it's too late to dimple it on the lathe.
In the attached pic I can use an edge finder to get one axis centered by using the jaw edges but in the other direction I'm not sure.
How would you do it?

Thanks,
Mike View attachment 131641

With the sàme edge finder used to index the jaw on the vise.

if you dont already have one invest in one of these - they make things a LOT easier and faster. You can get a cheap one for half the cost of that the Fowler and probably just as good.

54-575-600 Fowler Electronic Edge Finder: .200" - Call 800-469-0132 or Buy Online

Buy the FOWLER Electronic Edge Finder with .200" Cylindrical Stylus # 54-575-600 Online. Fast Nationwide Shipping or Call 800-469-0132. We Carry A Large Variety Including FOWLER Reference Gages.

www.higherprecision.com

Dan

 

[BXHoosier]

If you don’t have an indicator, put a square against the back jaw and slide it against the side of the pin and pick up the square blade with the edge finder and move over half the diameter.

 

[mikester]

google mill vice round parts for ideas

I made a mill vice clamp block with a v-groove to help locate and hold round parts