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+--- Thread: Digital Height Gage (almost finished) (/thread-1591.html)
Digital Height Gage (almost finished) - chucketn - 08-10-2013
I have almost completed my version of a Digital Height Gage. It is based on several builds, but the basis is an unmodified Digital Vernier Caliper. I wanted to be able to remove the Digital Vernier and use it on its own.
This is the chunk of Cast Iron I was having issues with getting under the skin.
My build is based on a combination of versions by Frank McLean, Paul Pierce, and David Graves. Its not quite finished as I dont have the material to make the scribe point. My local Fastenal supposedly has 1/8 drill rod. I will post more pictures when its complete.
Pics here: http://s571.photobucket.com/user/chucketn/library/Digital%20Height%20Gage
Ive noticed that handling the cast iron base still makes my fingers and anything else that touches it black. What finishes do you folks put on machined cast iron?
Chuck
RE: Digital Height Gage (almost finished) - dallen - 08-10-2013
wipe it with a rag soaked in some paint thinner, should get rid of the graphite, Cast Iron dust is a Bi%^h to clean up, gets on everything. how were you able to get under the things skin??
you can use the back end of a 1/8 inch drill bit if you only need a short piece.
RE: Digital Height Gage (almost finished) - chucketn - 08-10-2013
(08-10-2013, 07:54 AM)dallen Wrote: wipe it with a rag soaked in some paint thinner, should get rid of the graphite, Cast Iron dust is a Bi%^h to clean up, gets on everything. how were you able to get under the things skin??
you can use the back end of a 1/8 inch drill bit if you only need a short piece.
Thanks dallen, I'll try the paint thinner.
I got under the skin with a new 1/2 cheapie 4 flute end mill, after figuring out I was running the mill waaaaay to fast. Set RPM down around 450 and a slow power feed on the X axis. My feeds and speeds chart I use for guidance didn't have Cast Iron listed and I was trying to use the steel speeds.
Chuck
RE: Digital Height Gage (almost finished) - Hawkeye - 08-10-2013
Chuck, another good material for scribers is music wire, from your local hobby shop. That's what I used. I tapered the ends on a grinder, then heated just the ends with a torch and quenched in oil. I just left it full hard.
RE: Digital Height Gage (almost finished) - dallen - 08-10-2013
(08-10-2013, 08:00 AM)chucketn Wrote:(08-10-2013, 07:54 AM)dallen Wrote: wipe it with a rag soaked in some paint thinner, should get rid of the graphite, Cast Iron dust is a Bi%^h to clean up, gets on everything. how were you able to get under the things skin??
you can use the back end of a 1/8 inch drill bit if you only need a short piece.
Thanks dallen, I'll try the paint thinner.
I got under the skin with a new 1/2 cheapie 4 flute end mill, after figuring out I was running the mill waaaaay to fast. Set RPM down around 450 and a slow power feed on the X axis. My feeds and speeds chart I use for guidance didn't have Cast Iron listed and I was trying to use the steel speeds.
Chuck
get a bucket if you don't have one to toss all them broken dull and mistreated cutters and drill bits into cause they come in handy all the time to make things out of like them special one flute endmills you can't buy.
DA
RE: Digital Height Gage (almost finished) - TomG - 08-11-2013
Chuck,
Rather than use a round scribe, you should consider making it out of flat stock. It can then be shaped so the scribe point is flush with its lower surface, enabling the height gauge to be calibrated by running the scribe down to the surface it is resting on. The scribe can be made into an L shape to help it reach and/or the base can be slotted for clearance.
Tom
RE: Digital Height Gage (almost finished) - chucketn - 08-24-2013
Forgot to update my finished Digital Height Gage. Made the scribe point and painted the metal. Also made a bigger brass lock knob.
Digital Height Gage
Already used it to verify the center height on the lathe and for help laying out the casting pattern for my LH Sparey Dividing Head.
Chuck
RE: Digital Height Gage (almost finished) - EdK - 08-24-2013
Nice job.
Ed