Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
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- dusty
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- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
I have been using the Dial Indicator from Shopsmith. It works well but I have always been a bit frustrated by the fact that the miter bar does not fit shugly in the miter track. This little bit of slop introduces a small amount of error. This can be overcome by simply maintaining some side pressure on the jig to keep it firmly against one side or the other of the miter track.
Today I found myself with only a short amount of time for shop work; not enough for a project but enough to tinker. Tinker I did. Here is the result of my idle time this morning.
The Incra Miter Bar is adjustable in width so that the slop can be eliminated. What I have here is a kludge but it works. I am going to consider this a "proof of concept" and work on developing a better mounting method to facilitate quick, easy and reliable mounting of the dial indicator.
Today I found myself with only a short amount of time for shop work; not enough for a project but enough to tinker. Tinker I did. Here is the result of my idle time this morning.
The Incra Miter Bar is adjustable in width so that the slop can be eliminated. What I have here is a kludge but it works. I am going to consider this a "proof of concept" and work on developing a better mounting method to facilitate quick, easy and reliable mounting of the dial indicator.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
Interesting idea - let us know how it goes, and if there is any play in the mounting apparatus.
Ed
Shopsmith: 2 Mark V 510 (1988,1993), bandsaw, jointer, mounted planer, belt sander, scroll saw, strip sander, lathe duplicator, conical disc sander, biscuit joiner, free standing router table with Jointech IPM-1
Other stuff: Bosch glide mitre, Ridgid 13" planer, Rikon drill press, routers, drills, and other toys
Shopsmith: 2 Mark V 510 (1988,1993), bandsaw, jointer, mounted planer, belt sander, scroll saw, strip sander, lathe duplicator, conical disc sander, biscuit joiner, free standing router table with Jointech IPM-1
Other stuff: Bosch glide mitre, Ridgid 13" planer, Rikon drill press, routers, drills, and other toys
- ChrisNeilan
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Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
I like that!
Chris Neilan
Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
- dusty
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- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
There will be NO PLAY in the mounting apparatus. It will be tightly secured to the face of the miter gauge. The only play in the setup will come from the miter bar moving laterally in the miter track. That must be an absolute minimum or the entire project is a bust.ecom1 wrote:Interesting idea - let us know how it goes, and if there is any play in the mounting apparatus.
When I have some thing final, I will post.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
- Ed in Tampa
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Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
Looking good, Dusty! Thanks!
- dusty
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Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
This was almost too easy to talk about. I am embarrassed,however, that I took so long to think of this. It works great. All I need to do is find either a wing nut or a knob to use for securing to jig to the miter gauge. I will then have a dial indicator that is dedicated to "table alignment".
This may not be the final version. I still have a couple ideas to try.
This may not be the final version. I still have a couple ideas to try.
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- Dial Indicator and Miter Gauge 007.jpg (2.03 MiB) Viewed 14346 times
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- Dial Indicator and Miter Gauge 010.jpg (2.19 MiB) Viewed 14346 times
Last edited by dusty on Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
Definitely better than the the original which I also have as well as the Incra miter gauge. You have inspired me to do some tinkering with mine.
Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
Thanks for sharing - that's given me some ideas as well.
Ed
Shopsmith: 2 Mark V 510 (1988,1993), bandsaw, jointer, mounted planer, belt sander, scroll saw, strip sander, lathe duplicator, conical disc sander, biscuit joiner, free standing router table with Jointech IPM-1
Other stuff: Bosch glide mitre, Ridgid 13" planer, Rikon drill press, routers, drills, and other toys
Shopsmith: 2 Mark V 510 (1988,1993), bandsaw, jointer, mounted planer, belt sander, scroll saw, strip sander, lathe duplicator, conical disc sander, biscuit joiner, free standing router table with Jointech IPM-1
Other stuff: Bosch glide mitre, Ridgid 13" planer, Rikon drill press, routers, drills, and other toys
- dusty
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- Posts: 21374
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
Mix this in with your ideas only maybe longer and heavier.
The spacers and washers would need to be properly sized and all the same. Those shown here are not. I'm also thinking longer to give more lateral stability. Maybe steel tubing for more weight. Brass bushings maybe.
The spacers and washers would need to be properly sized and all the same. Those shown here are not. I'm also thinking longer to give more lateral stability. Maybe steel tubing for more weight. Brass bushings maybe.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
- dusty
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 21374
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
Re: Dial Indicator, Shopsmiths' Modified
Hand selected washers to get them all the same size. Had to use a different tip than I wanted in order to get the reach. Would prefer to use a ball tip.
I've just been informed that "shop time has ended". There are more important things to be done today.
May everyone have a joyous day today without over indulging in the goodies. Happy Thanksgiving
I've just been informed that "shop time has ended". There are more important things to be done today.
May everyone have a joyous day today without over indulging in the goodies. Happy Thanksgiving
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.