Creating a dial indicator holder for my lathe carriage
Difficulty Level (Easy, Medium, Hard, Insane):
Easy
Process:
I've been thinking of getting an Abom79 approved dial indicator with a magnetic base but because I have already spent a good chunk of money on my lathe and accessories I figured I'd try to come up with another design.
It turned out to be pretty easy, actually. I adapted the idea of an Adjustable Carriage Stop I found online and turned it into a dial indicator holder.
All I had to do is mill some aluminum, trace out the profile of the v-ways, cut, mill and file the slot, drill & tap the bolt and install a small roll pin to keep the bottom piece from rotating as I tighten the bolt.
Now I use the dial indicator holder all the time and it is truly a very convenient way of stopping the carriage at a consistent point.
Now all I have to do is get a few extra side-jobs to save up enough for a DRO but that's for another time...
Pictures:
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| The finished dial indicator holder |
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| Side view |
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| From the headstock side |
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| View from behind the headstock |
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| Another close-up |
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| The dial indicator holder can be quickly and easily removed |
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| Another view of the two aluminum parts constituting the dial indicator holder |
Mill & accessories
Tap & die set
Drill press
Metal scribe
Materials:
Dykem layout blue
1 bolt
1 roll pin
1 screw
Cost:
$0.00
Time:
2hrs
Savings:
$112.99
Conclusion:
It is so convenient! I'm glad I took the time to build this
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