Posted: 9/7/2014 10:32:52 PM EDT
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Would any of you machinists mind me pm'ing you a few questions regarding my lathe. In particular some measurement questions I have.
Thanks in advance. ERic |
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Indicator with a mag base. I usually have a 2" travel for that purpose. Reposition as necessary along length of travel and just keep up with distance covered. That's how I would do it If I were trying to be accurate. I'd probably just use a tape measure for a quick reference to see if it was close enough for what I wanted to do. ETA: post pics of lathe. |
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I've got several. I didn't think everyone else would care to read about it. I'm curious about how to accurately measure carriage travel. My lathe is old and doesn't have a readout. ERic Even old ass lathes had micrometer stops available? What operation are you performing? |
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Best machinist tool I ever bought. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06434013?CS_010=06434013&item=06434013&CS_003=7867724&src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test |
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That 
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ETA: post pics of lathe. That
I don'thave any pics...i'll try and take some tomorrow. It isn't anything fancy. It is an Atlas 618 mk2. Way small but its fun as heck learning new things. Thank you guys for our interest in my questions. ERic |
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Best machinist tool I ever bought. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06434013?CS_010=06434013&item=06434013&CS_003=7867724&src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test I was just reading about those yesterday. It looks like it would have about a million different uses. ERic |
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Readout?
12x36 Atlas lathe owner here. 
Next project for me will probably be a micrometer adjustable carriage stop. For power feeding when the stopping point is critical. Or maybe a reversing switch for my motor. So I can do some power tapping with left hand taps. |
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Thank you sir. I literally just ordered a mighty mag base about 5 hrs ago 
ERic Quoted:
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Indicator with a mag base. I usually have a 2" travel for that purpose. Reposition as necessary along length of travel and just keep up with distance covered. Thank you sir. I literally just ordered a mighty mag base about 5 hrs ago
ERic I forgot about mighty mags. I love me some mighty mags. I need to order some. Quoted:
It is only 50K and there are much cheaper ways to do the same thing...Dial indicator with a mag base will do..
But when money is no object.... 
http://web27.streamhoster.com/hvp/dropros/32L.jpg 50k for DRO? I'm pretty sure they're nowhere near that expensive |
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Best machinist tool I ever bought. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06434013?CS_010=06434013&item=06434013&CS_003=7867724&src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test I have a noga mag base like that, and it's excellent quality and very solid lockup. |
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Quoted: Best machinist tool I ever bought. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06434013?CS_010=06434013&item=06434013&CS_003=7867724&src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test I have a couple Noga bases, they're worth every penny. You couldn't pay me to go back to stick bases
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I have a couple Noga bases, they're worth every penny. You couldn't pay me to go back to stick bases Quoted:
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Best machinist tool I ever bought. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06434013?CS_010=06434013&item=06434013&CS_003=7867724&src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test I have a couple Noga bases, they're worth every penny. You couldn't pay me to go back to stick bases This |
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I have a couple Noga bases, they're worth every penny. You couldn't pay me to go back to stick bases Quoted:
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Best machinist tool I ever bought. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06434013?CS_010=06434013&item=06434013&CS_003=7867724&src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test I have a couple Noga bases, they're worth every penny. You couldn't pay me to go back to stick bases Starrett has an arm for the 657 similar to the noga. It's pretty expensive though. |
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Quoted: Starrett has an arm for the 657 similar to the noga. It's pretty expensive though. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Best machinist tool I ever bought. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06434013?CS_010=06434013&item=06434013&CS_003=7867724&src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test I have a couple Noga bases, they're worth every penny. You couldn't pay me to go back to stick bases Starrett has an arm for the 657 similar to the noga. It's pretty expensive though. I just looked it up....... $310!!!! Fuck that, my Nogas that are the same size cost $115 each. I'll pass on paying almost $200 for the Starrett logo
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While magnetic bases and indicators work, I much prefer a micrometer stop. Something along the lines of this http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/380931811719?lpid=82
I prefer the stop for several reasons. They are accurate, they are solid and a simple bump won't screw up your setup ( you can bump the magnetic base or indicator and have to set your depth again), you can use gauge blocks or standards to set long/longish cuts and are not limited to a dial indicators travel…… you can set up for a 10 inch depth of cut without moving anything or you can set up for multiple depth cuts without moving anything. You don't have to be so cautious when coming to your desired depth…… just get close and then manually go to the stop….. you don't have to hit a number on an indicator. Stops are the way to go. I used to do some close tolerance work on lathes and it would have been a real PITA without a good stop. |
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I just looked it up....... $310!!!! Fuck that, my Nogas that are the same size cost $115 each. I'll pass on paying almost $200 for the Starrett logo Quoted:
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Best machinist tool I ever bought. http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/06434013?CS_010=06434013&item=06434013&CS_003=7867724&src=pla&cid=PLA-Google-PLA+-+Test I have a couple Noga bases, they're worth every penny. You couldn't pay me to go back to stick bases Starrett has an arm for the 657 similar to the noga. It's pretty expensive though. I just looked it up....... $310!!!! Fuck that, my Nogas that are the same size cost $115 each. I'll pass on paying almost $200 for the Starrett logo It's only 150$ for the arm if you already have a few dozen mag bases like me. Click picture to be taken to amazon page with corresponding part (657-3) 
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This is what you seek. There is no substitute except for maybe DRO and even those aren't as good because they're delicate for a lathe.
This is a Trav-a-dial. It has a wheel that rolls along the edge of your Z way, to the right of the carriage. It's very accurate. They used them in the feedback loop for the early prototracks. They're fairly expensive, new but can be found very reasonable on ebay, used and they're built like a tank. Not much to go wrong that can't be fixed. Not hard to install, either. Indicators suck if you're doing longer steps on a shaft. Trav-a-dials are convenient, accurate, reliable and durable. 
This one's been used so long the paint has been rubbed off by the operator's thumb from resetting the dial. 
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