Miniature Depth Gauge MEW # 166

[Michael1Participant @michael1]

[Michael1Participant @michael1]

Page 10, Paragraph “Clamp (1).

 

Harold Hall writes “Reverse in the chuck and face the end to length making it slightly concave for comfort in use.”

 

The part is a button that would be depressed with the thumb or finger.

 

What is the method to make the concave on the face?

 

(Bolding and underlines are mine.)

 

Thanks

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

I think that’s a misprint and should read convex for a push button.

In which case putting the radius on free hand, filing or a form tool are the easiest options.

 

John S.

[Michael1Participant @michael1]

Thanks for the reply John, but even the drawing with the article shows it as a depression.

 

Rgds

 

Michael

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

So your oily finger cannot slip??

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Use a ball turner with the cutter beyond ctr so it cuts concave like this or grind a form tool

 

Jason

[Keith LongParticipant @keithlong89920]

Why not just face it off using the compound slide set at a slight angle insead of moving the tool with the crossslide? For what the intended purpose is, a conical shape is as good as curved depression. As Kwil says it’s only to stop yourf finger slipping!

Keith

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

The way I’v done it is with a hand held scraper tool with an edge similar to a wood turning scraper(the first time it was ),clamp a steel bar in the tool post as a tool rest so that the cutting edge of the tool is about center hight,run the lathe at a moderate speed (carbon steel tool), take thin slivers off, it will only take a minute. Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 08/08/2010 11:59:22

[wheeltapperParticipant @wheeltapper]

Isn’t it funny how you can sometimes read what isn’t there.

 

I made this and I automatically read convex and made it convex, It’s only now, looking properly at the plan, I see it says concave.

 

I haven’t had any trouble with my finger slipping tho.

 

Roy

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Posted by Michael Ryan 1 on 08/08/2010 05:40:45:

Thanks for the reply John, but even the drawing with the article shows it as a depression.

 

Rgds

 

Michael

 Sorry, wasn’t looking at the drawing.

Alternate way would be a few concentric rings to form vees to prevent slipping.

 

John S.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Hi John S, sounds like you and I are similar, study the instructions only if everything else fails, well don’t want to copy things exactly any way.Ian S C

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

 When I saw Harold’s depth gauge it immediatly made me think of one I made a few year’s ago, using almost exactly the same design. I read someone’s letter suggesting that you use a bit of silver steel in one of those plastic toggles used for coats and rucsacks. I chose convex and I’ve never had any problems

I think mine is a little bit prettier, especially the heat-blued body.

 

Neil

 

[Michael1Participant @michael1]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

 

Whether I make the devices or not, I like to  read all the articles carefully

and study the methods used.

 

It just surprised me that in an article that would obviously appeal to the beginners

like me, and particularly when written by Mr Hall, that there was no mention of how to achieve the concave.

 

Rgds

 

Michael

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

[Martin WParticipant @martinw]

Hi

For what it is worth if you decide not to make one of these depth gauges but would like a depth gauge then Allendale supply digital depth gauges with quite a fine quill, measure to just over 1 inch/ 30mm depth. I have bought one and it seems pretty good and solid, note its NOT the tyre tread depth unit as these are plastic and are only fit for car tyres. Link to the Allendale catalogue is  DRO.

 

As usual personal disclaimers re association with firm and suppliers.

 

 

Cheers

 

 

Martin

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Another  way to make it non slip would be to attack the endwith a V shaped tool and cut concentric grooves, not too deep would look quite nice,we don’t want all our tools to look the same as every one elses.Ian S C

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

I’m surprised all you horny handed old timers need a non-slip surface, I would have thought the finger tips would scratch brass.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hey! My wife’s the Avon Lady so I have a large blue bottle of cheap moisturiser* to replace all the nasties degreasing my claws removes.

 

I keep meaning to pick up a new bottle of barrier cream. Have ‘Comma’ products disappeared from the shelves?

 

Also, every digital/non-digital caliper I have has a rod for use as a depth gauge. I still find the basic one, used as a comparator, more useful.

 

Neil

 

*generously donated to stop me pinching the shea body butter – whatever that is

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