Surface Gauge Project
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- I recently purchased a surface plate and needed a surface gauge to measure the flatness of workpieces. In this video, I go through the process of making a flexure-based surface gauge, based on the one made by Hermann Schmidt. Thanks go out to Tom Lipton @oxtoolco for making me aware of flexures and inspiring this project.
Plans available here:
paulsgaragepro...
Excellent project sir! Lots of features in a compact and relatively simple design. I've never seen an indicator stand with the fine adjust build into the base before. 👍
...And thank you for editing. 😊
I swear, I've (partially) watched dozens of UA-cam publishers who would have stretched this to an hour!
7:11 seems just about right to me. You showed every single operation that I needed to see to understand the build process, and didn't waste an extra 50+ minutes of my time watching your machines run - and run and run. 😠
True, you won't make as much ad revenue on this video as someone else might. On the plus side though, you'll get a lot more of it (from me at least) because yours is one of the handful of channels that I'll keep watching - and watching and watching. 😊
Thank you again!
Thank you for your positive feedback! I've found that the fine adjust works smoothly in this design, and it wasn't too difficult to make. I'm not currently receiving any ad revenue from my videos, but I'm still committed to creating content that prioritizes viewers' time and interests.
Thank you again for taking the time to watch my video and leave such a thoughtful comment. I hope that my content will continue to be useful and enjoyable for you in the future!
Very nice work.
Thanks!
Very nice! I've been eyeing up the Herman Schmidt for a while. I believe you need flats on the balls if using a granite surface plate. Because the surface plate will have random divots in it, and the ball will fall in, affecting the measurement. But a wider flat will just glide over the divots. I think you can make the flats now just with sandpaper and a lot of elbow grease.
I know 3 points is a perfect plane, but I believe most commercial surface gauges use 4 points of contact (or a perimeter of contact), for greater stability.
I agree with the other comment you did a great job editing, making it interesting to watch but not too long.
Hey, many thanks for the great comment!
Makes sense about the flats, there are a couple of divots in my plate here and there. It also doesn't glide particularly well with the feet as it is. I'll give the sandpaper a go 👍
You're also right about the number of feet, it does tend to tip a bit. At the time I went with three because I didn't think I could get four feet all the same. But if I'm lapping them in it shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks again!
Very nice tool build. I like that you didn't polish it. But that's probably your plans.
Thanks! I did think about polishing it, but quite like the look of it as is.
Looks very nice, now I have to finish mine 😆
Thanks! Just watched your build, interesting to see the differences between our processes!
Good video. I've just found your site and subscribed. Did you lap the ball bearing feet level, or is this not necessary?
Thanks! I didn't lap the feet, but seem to remember @robrenz recommending it to reduce wear on the surface plate.
Have you ever power tapped with the mill spindle? It’s way faster and easier than hand starting and finishing with a tap wrench..
I have power tapped with the mill, but have found that this light machine tends to struggle with it.
It's better to use 3 flat legs instead of bearing balls. The surface of granite acts like an abrasive media and removes material from the balls. Now if you take a look at the balls you can easily see the ground tips.
Thanks for the tip!
Are there any plans available mate
There are now! I've added a link to the plans in the description.