Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    165

    Default Toolmakers buttons

    Good afternoon,

    I have been reading recently in old books about the use of toolmakers buttons for precisely locating where to bore a hole.

    It's an old technique, and I suppose with the advent of jig borers and digital readouts the technique has died out. Or has it?

    Is there any company still making them? I believe commercially available buttons were hardened and ground and very accurately paired.

    Thanks,
    Joe

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Riddells Creek, Vic.
    Posts
    831

    Default

    They are probably still available from Starrett. I made a couple of sets during my apprenticeship and still use them occasionally.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    Joe I don't see any good reason why you shouldn't make your own, and their accuracy would be limited only by the accuracy of the material you use. Much of the traditional techniques relied on tooling that could be made in the workshop and not just bought from a store. Time was cheaper then compared to now! It's possible to think outside the square when searching for accurately ground materials like this, and gudgeon pins are something that I've used for accurately ground material like this. There's likely plenty of other alternatives, and you could always lap anything to the level of accuracy limited only by your patience and measuring capabilities.

    My personal knowledge of toolmaker buttons comes when setting up on a lathe faceplate, and that's used so seldom now that I think you'd find few people would use either in general industry. On the mill, as you say, the DRO is now king. Buttons can be VERY time consuming to set up on, but are capable of extremely accurate relative positioning with quite rudimentary equipment.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    165

    Default

    Thanks, I appreciate the comments. I probably will make a set at some point. I don't have an urgent need for them, but I'd like to start making a clock soon, and I think I can put this technique to good use. I didn't think of gudgeon pin's, that's a good idea.

    Thanks,
    Joe

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Gudgeon Pins make good blocks for milling also, beauty is the hole is already in there for clamping.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

Similar Threads

  1. Likes and Thanks buttons
    By KBs PensNmore in forum FORUMS INFO, HELP, DISCUSSION & FEEDBACK
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11th Oct 2015, 11:28 AM
  2. Toolmakers hammer
    By morrisman in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 30th May 2014, 09:20 AM
  3. VICTORIA mitutoyo toolmakers microscope
    By jtools in forum METALWORK - Machinery, Equipment, MARKET
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 28th Dec 2012, 09:17 PM
  4. Toolmakers microscope
    By steran50 in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 17th May 2011, 10:31 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •