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  1. #1
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    Default The Centricator - A Co-Axial Indicator from Munich

    This is an early version of the Centricator, it appears to be from 1962 if the printing date on the accompanying instruction booklet is anything to go by. They were first made in 1954.

    Later versions incorporated a dial indicator behind a transparent enclosure which made the device longer. The version shown below was usually supplied with a 1 Morse taper and a 16mm cylindrical sleeve that fitted over the taper. This one has a 3 Morse arbor engraved THIEL. Thiel made some beautiful milling machines.

    http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/ge...3/#post1306815

    In use, body rotation is prevented by tethering it with the string and magnet supplied. A neat feature is the ability to use different indicators. With the attachments supplied, most setups can be checked. I will contact Michael Deckel GmbH, the current manufacturers of the Centricator, to find out if the 3 Morse arbor can be removed. Otherwise I'll have to buy a bigger mill.

    The device is exquisite, its finish is more like something you would associate with a camera rather than a tool. Have a look at images of an Arriflex S16, another product of Munich.

    Simply stunning stuff!

    BT
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
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    Jul 2010
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    Default

    Hi BT
    As luck would have it, MT3 will fit in my mill nicely
    The string is a nice idea, I might steal that one.
    Now you just have to do the "flip up side down" test.

    Stuart

  3. #3
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    Default Justieren des geraets

    I might have come unstuck Stu. In my futile attempt to unscrew the arbor I removed the three screws shown in the diagram below. The page title in the instruction booklet translates to calibrate the instrument. Should have used Goggle Translate before I picked up a screwdriver.

    I am hoping that Joe can explain the method of recalibration described in the attached pages.

    BT

  4. #4
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    Default

    I met with Bob last Friday in a Perth cafe for show n tell. He brought this centricator. I must have looked like Mr Potato Head with the "O" mouth stuck on. It is gobsmakingly delicious in person, and now I have tool envy. It makes my Blake look not quite German enough. Not that that's a bad thing, I hasten to add. But still...

    Greg
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  5. #5
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    Default Re: The Centricator - A Co-Axial Indicator from Munich

    Like this...
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  6. #6
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    Oct 2008
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    Wimmera
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    Default

    Hi Bob
    welcome to the centricator club they are a beautiful device
    I picked up this one a few months back but didnt post it on here as i thought it might upset greg seeing as it came from the suburb next to him and it only cost me 175 buck (sorry Greg)

    Attachment 220489
    Attachment 220490
    Attachment 220491

    cheers
    Harty

  7. #7
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    Default

    No no, I'm fine with that. No. Really.

    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  8. #8
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    Default

    If its next to Greg its close to me!


    How did that one get passed us Greg?


    Will be interesting to see what you find out about the calibration screws Bob, cant really get my head arond what they would be for. I have a couple of ideas but they sound stupid even to me lol


    Stuart

  9. #9
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    Dec 2010
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    Syd
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    Default

    Picked up a later version ages ago very cheap, < $100 if I recall - missing the extension tube and the levelling probe. Dollars required to buy those bits, make it less cheap.....and there's the small problem of a fixed 40 taper arbor and buttress thread.

    One of these days might try to cut off the thread and find out if it's through hardened, to make it somewhat useful - electronics will have to suffice for now.

  10. #10
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    Default Inexpert Handling

    Quote Originally Posted by Anorak Bob View Post
    I might have come unstuck Stu. In my futile attempt to unscrew the arbor I removed the three screws shown in the diagram below. The page title in the instruction booklet translates to calibrate the instrument. Should have used Goggle Translate before I picked up a screwdriver.

    I am hoping that Joe can explain the method of recalibration described in the attached pages.

    BT
    Joe very kindly translated those pages. Here are the instructions. Glen "Brian Lara 400" has the same Centricator and he also has the German instruction booklet. This may also be of benefit to Glen.

    Adjusting the device


    At delivery from the factory, the device may show a minute internal runout (≤2µm). This runout can be seen in both direction and magnitude on the gauge by rotating it in a spindle (without touching a test piece) as a small visible movement of the needle. While testing a work piece, this runout can be integrated in the test result in position and magnitude. For high precision measurements, this can result in extraordinary accurate test results.

    Should the internal runout become greater than 3µm (by inexpert handling) the device must be readjusted.
    This readjustment can be achieved by users themselves with a certain amount of care:

    The device is mounted in a vertical spindle. A screw driver can be inserted through the bore for the locating (anti-rotation) plug and each of the adjustment screws can be corrected in turn. Firstly however, the screw location and numbers should be marked on the cover with a pencil (see Fig. 3). For adjustments, a comparator or dial gauge with 1µm divisions should be used, e.g. a small Millimess. The total internal runout can be checked by slowly turning the machine spindle in one direction only (let’s assume 3µm). At the position of greatest negative deflection the spindle is stopped and the adjustment screw at or closest to the anti-rotation socket should be lined up with this hole. By inserting a screw driver through this hole and turning this screw a minute amount clockwise, the runout will be reduced. The precise change can be monitored on the gauge and should not exceed half the value of the total runout. (In the assumed error case around 1µm). This sequence should be repeated until the runout is less than 2µm. If the adjusting screws have become too tight to turn, choose the position of the greatest positive runout value and adjust the nearest screw anti-clockwise a minute amount. The runout will be reduced in an equivalent way as the above negative deflection procedure.

    Thank you Joe.

    BT

  11. #11
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    Default

    You have a one micron indicator I'm sure. If not though, my Cary is yours for the asking.

    GQ
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  12. #12
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Q View Post
    You have a one micron indicator I'm sure. If not though, my Cary is yours for the asking.

    GQ
    Yes Gregory, I have the appropriate 1um Millimess. I should take you up on the little Cary. I could pretend I was watching a petite télévision.

    I received a prompt response from Michael Deckel GmbH. Sadly the question I asked regarding arbor removal was not addressed.

    Dear Bob,

    after a look at your photos, we must inform you that this is a CI-model. The production of this model has stopped in 1969 (!), so we don't have any spare parts or mounting shanks for this model any more.
    If you want I can offer you a new CIII Centricator, but for your CI there is nothing we can do.

    Mit freundlichen Grüßen / with best regards
    Susanne Balling
    Sachbearbeiterin Vertrieb
    Tel.: +49-881-688-521l Fax.: +49-881-688-59
    Michael Deckel Vertriebs KG
    Sitz der Gesellschaft: Am Öferl 17-19 82362 Weilheim
    Registergericht München HRA 44 993 Ust.-Ident.Nr.: DE131662972 Steuer Nr.:168/168/51908 FA Weilheim i.OB.
    Persönlich haftender Gesellschafter und Geschäftsführer: Michael Deckel, Bad Heilbrunn
    Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen / General Terms and Conditions: www.michael-deckel.de/index.php?page=AGB

    To put the offer of a new Centricator C III into perspective, here is a link to one currently on offer from Franz Singer. It is used.
    Centricator C III 0,002mm für Deckel Fräsmaschine | eBay

    BT

    ps. The Singer link is not for GQ's benefit as Gregory is fully aware of Franz's stratospheric pricing.

  13. #13
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    Default

    When I approached Dapra in the States about motor brushes for my older Biax they said " impossible", but offered me 10% off a $3000 newer model. Thankfully a dozen brushes (eight lifetimes) were available ex-China for $8.

    Greg
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  14. #14
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    Default

    BTW is there a patent number anywhere on that thing? Perhaps patent drawings may reveal the arbor attachment scheme.

    Gregoire
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  15. #15
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    Gregoire,

    Une idée mérite d'être poursuivie.

    Merci

    Robert.

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