Precision Measurement in the Shop

[eartaker]

There have been many people who have decided to dive into this hobby, but overlook the fact that there are special tools they need to setup their machines and to find measurements they require. I would be one of these individuals. I got by for awhile with a set of dial calipers, a square, and a dial indicator, but soon realized I need more.

I would like to hear everyone's input on tools they think are necessary items for proper machine setup, maintenance and measuring.

As of right now I have:

-Digital 1" dial indicator .0005
-Digital 8" dial calipers .0005
-Dial Test Indicator .0005
-A set of 1"-4" Micrometers .0001
-Telescoping Gauges 5/8" - 6"
-Small hole Gauges 1/8" - 1/2"
-Co-Axial Center Indicator

Is there anything else that I am missing or that is needed, and has anyone have any experience with the Shars brand of tools?

[photomankc]

A surface plate and height gauge are real helpful.

Shars seems pretty hit-miss. I got a few nice tools that work well and some absolute garbage too. I will not buy any more end mills from them and my toolmakers vice needed a lot of rework on the clamping parts to replace cheese-metal. My squares were pretty good, my DTI was fine, small mag base for the DTI is a big help.

[eartaker]

I was looking at buying a vise from them because of their prices but I think I will hold off on that.

[photomankc]

The ground surfaces on mine were very good. It was the screws and cross-bar that were made from bubble gum.

The picture at the top of the page shows it.
http://www.cranehome.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88ther-small-projects&catid=19:mill--lathe--metalwork&Itemid=2

[knudsen]

Enco has the deal on surface plates with the free ship code. Google Enco free ship code. I don't know how they delivered a 75# surface plate for $25. Comes with a certificate stating how they tested it with an optical device capable of detecting variance of like .000005 or something crazy, but does not state if it was accurate Good enough for HSM use.

[mattbesquare]

Enco has the deal on surface plates with the free ship code. Google Enco free ship code. I don't know how they delivered a 75# surface plate for $25. Comes with a certificate stating how they tested it with an optical device capable of detecting variance of like .000005 or something crazy, but does not state if it was accurate Good enough for HSM use.

Yep, I got that one. And it is quite flat. And I dont panic when I scratch it (all the time)

[MrWild]

Yeah, the Enco surface plate is great. I'd add a few things.

1. A wiggler edge finder (very important when flipping over a part)
2. A good set of combination square with square, protractor and centering heads
3. 1-2-3 blocks
4. The dial test indicator should be a finger style, not the plunger style. They are cheap enough, buy both.
5. 12" vernier. The dial ones go on sale at HF often enough.
6. A good scribe with carbide scribe on one end and magnet on other
7. An automatic center punch for drilling
8. A good magnifying glass or Loop and surgical tweezers
9. both red and blue dykem

[eartaker]

what do you use the surface plates for?

[ImanCarrot]

Centre finder. Looks like an inverted "Y"- both legs of the "Y" can move so you can locate the centre of bar stock if you need to drill holes into bars.

[eartaker]

I still don't understand why or how you would use a surface plate....

[knudsen]

Jermie, too many reasons to list. Used mostly for layout/measuring. You can also put some wet/dry fine sandpaper on one and lap an uber flat and smooth surface. I actually use a piece of plate glass for lapping to keep the crud off the flat stone. But with a free ship from Enco and $25 web price on a new stone, I might change that practice. The biggest problem is it's 75# and my back is fubar.

[Matt McColley]

why or how you would use a surface plate....

I picked up an ENCO stone with the free shipping deal back around Jan.

I've wanted one for years.... long before I got into this milling machine sickness...

Keep in mind that not all parts are rectangular and afford flat parallel edges from which you can pick a measurement.

But if you have just one flat surface on your part, you can place it on the plate and then that plane is extended beyond the edges of that milled surface and you can measure the distance from the plate to other features with a height gage.