Crude mill centering device.

[Your Old Dog]

I don't think I have Attention deposite disorder but I have trouble staying focused. Once I'm in the groove or rythm that a project seems to take on I don't like being side tracked. One of the things that does that for me is having to stop to put in a differant collett so I can find center on my mill for an operation. The idea depicted here is not new, I copied it from someone else on the web but it seems to be working till can get my more convienant version off the ground that Im working on now. It didn't take long to make and is accurage enough for my needs. It is still somewhat of a pain to use as you still have to remove the cutter each time you address a line. (My next project will hopefully workout better!)

[Virgil Johnson]

Not to knock your idea, but if you are drilling a hole why not make a center that fits your drill chuck? I have a pin that is pointed that I use for similar drilling work in the mill and it is also handy for centering taps that are too large to power tap in my drill chuck.

[Spin Doctor]

You could always use one of these

[Your Old Dog]

Originally Posted by Virgil Johnson

Not to knock your idea, but if you are drilling a hole why not make a center that fits your drill chuck? I have a pin that is pointed that I use for similar drilling work in the mill and it is also handy for centering taps that are too large to power tap in my drill chuck.

Virgil, I'm not using this for drilling on the mill but rather locatin the center of my bits.

Speed, your method requires the extra step of changing colletts to 5/16ths unless you are already using the 5/16ths bit. Edge finders need an edge to find. Thats what Im trying to avoid as its just one extra step that in my particular case is unnecessary as I don't need that kind of accuracy for anything I'm involved with at this time. Were I making motors and such I would most likely need more accuracy then this device would offer.

So no one is confused, I'm certainly not advocating that this is the "right" way to locate you tool, Just "a" way of doing it that is more accurate then the "eyeball"method.

[gizmo2]

Virgil, I don't have a drill chuck that runs that true. The one that came with the lathe runs out about six, and the nice new expensive ball bearing Jacobs clocks out nearly 3. Even some of my collets run truer than others, but the worst is only about 3/4 out. All this fussy work makes me crosseyed. My complaint is, why don't they make center drills the same diameter as the collets? There's a couple that match, but when you get into the normal HSM working range, they don't fit the collet you got in the tool.

[Bill Pace]

Dog, I think I see exactly where you're coming from and by golly, I like it, makes good sense to me. Gonna change over to that 1/2" bit---just put your--(got a name for it?)-- in the 1/2" collet, center up, -- put the bit in and go!!

[Your Old Dog]

Originally Posted by Bill Pace

Dog, I think I see exactly where you're coming from and by golly, I like it, makes good sense to me. Gonna change over to that 1/2" bit---just put your--(got a name for it?)-- in the 1/2" collet, center up, -- put the bit in and go!!

You got it Bill! I don't have a name for it as it ain't my original idea. Someone else did it around here quite awhile back. I'll just take the bows for it

[Your Old Dog]

Originally Posted by gizmo2

Virgil, I don't have a drill chuck that runs that true. The one that came with the lathe runs out about six, and the nice new expensive ball bearing Jacobs clocks out nearly 3. Even some of my collets run truer than others, but the worst is only about 3/4 out. All this fussy work makes me crosseyed. My complaint is, why don't they make center drills the same diameter as the collets? There's a couple that match, but when you get into the normal HSM working range, they don't fit the collet you got in the tool.

Note the thing I made has a set screw in the side so that I could replace a damaged tip. Why couldn't you just grind a flat spot on a drill bit and make up the same device for a center drill? I expect it would be a time saver for you.

[JCHannum]

The stepped shank holder is convenient to use as you don't have to change collets to use it.

However, with the spud for picking up center, any error in the chuck, collet or mounting system will affect the accuracy.

The beauty of the wiggler or sticky pin center finder is that it indicates the center of rotation, and is not affected by other errors.

Why not make a step holder for a wiggler? You will now have the best of both worlds.

[pntrbl]

I can't help it, I just have to ask, how in the world do you use all those wiggler things in that Starrett Center Finder?

Never seen them used before and I'm currently completely clueless.

BTW, nice work YOD. You're always thinking.

SP