This project is aimed at getting accuracy out of the mini lathe I have.
Since it's a mini lathe, I felt digital readouts for it would be over kill. (2) $16.99 dial indicators from my beloved Harbor Freight store fills the bill! (could have just used one and switched them back and forth but decided on a dedicated indicator for each)
First, I made a mount for the carriage slide (the part that moves left and right). It has a dial indicator mounted top side with a thumb screw. Below that is a hard stop sliding bar that slides in/out that is locked in with another thumb screw. That's nice when you just want to set up a quick stop. This whole assembly can be positioned anywhere along the "ways" (that's the rail it's on) A small bolt secures it in place.
The second one is for the cross slide. That's the part that goes forward and back. This will be very helpful for any threading I may do. It mounts to the ways (rear) and can be positioned anywhere along it. A small cap screw squeezes it in place.
I guess that's it. Two very useful projects that will be used many times over...
Since it's a mini lathe, I felt digital readouts for it would be over kill. (2) $16.99 dial indicators from my beloved Harbor Freight store fills the bill! (could have just used one and switched them back and forth but decided on a dedicated indicator for each)
First, I made a mount for the carriage slide (the part that moves left and right). It has a dial indicator mounted top side with a thumb screw. Below that is a hard stop sliding bar that slides in/out that is locked in with another thumb screw. That's nice when you just want to set up a quick stop. This whole assembly can be positioned anywhere along the "ways" (that's the rail it's on) A small bolt secures it in place.
The second one is for the cross slide. That's the part that goes forward and back. This will be very helpful for any threading I may do. It mounts to the ways (rear) and can be positioned anywhere along it. A small cap screw squeezes it in place.
I guess that's it. Two very useful projects that will be used many times over...
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