Thread: Cheap Edge Finders - Any Good ?

Hi Bob,
I assume you have a wiggler already?

I do Stu.

It, with its sharp point installed, was my go to centring tool before I acquired the Isoma. The wiggler, a Starrett, is imperial.

Bob.

I know they seem crude, but the bearing on a stick style are very effective. just a sharpie mark on the outer race, when it stops revolving you are on the edge. mine repeats almost as well as my starrett edgefinders.

A company called fisher tool makes a slightly lobed version of the starret style edgefinder which gives an audible indication as well, I have one of those and like it a great deal.

Thanks Ralph,

Unfortunately for me the Fisher is imperial - https://littlemachineshop.com/produc...ProductID=1961

Fisher makes some neat gear, I have a couple of their tap guides and I reckon they are outstanding.

The bearing type finder is like the electric version, as good as what it is mounted in. Good enough in most cases I imagine except for when some extreme hair splitting is required.

Bob.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

The wiggler, a Starrett, is imperial.

Oh thats the Starret you mentioned in your earlier post. I thought you meant Starret edgefinder.
You could make a metric wiggler easily enough though you'd have trouble beating the edgefinder for Z*(as I think you said earlier as well)

*though it maybe possible to get close if made your own upsidedown wiggler chuck, I think I'd spend the $6

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Oh thats the Starret you mentioned in your earlier post. I thought you meant Starret edgefinder.
You could make a metric wiggler easily enough though you'd have trouble beating the edgefinder for Z*(as I think you said earlier as well)

*though it maybe possible to get close if made your own upsidedown wiggler chuck, I think I'd spend the $6

I have both Stu, a Starrett wiggler and a Starrett edgefinder. To augment them I just lashed out and spent a bit more than six bucks - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mechanical-Edge-Finder-10mm-Shank-x-6mm-Probe-NC-Machine-Milling-Machine-Tools/261553193663?hash=item3ce5c902bf:g:MEMAAOSwB09YFz9R

Still dirt cheap and will consume less Z than the others ( if it's any good! ).

Bob.

Hi Guys,

I thought that everyone would know that old trick

A bit of cigarette paper and a wet finger, just stick it to the work and when the tool touches it it will rip it away.

Quick, cheap, easy.

The cheapish edge finder arrived today.

According to my trusty micrometer, the 6.00 end is slightly oversize at 6.003mm and the 10mm body is whisker under at 9.998mm. Installed in an ISO 30 collet, it consumes very little Z and while a 123 block marked it, it functions as well as I hoped it would. Advancing the table 3mm from where the finder jumped out of alignment placed the block's edge pretty close to spot on centre when checked with the centring microscope. (The block's bevel doesn't look overly flash at 20X magnification. )

BT

IMG_20180910_120348193 (Large).jpg IMG_20180910_120855935 (Large).jpg IMG_20180910_120909603 (Large).jpg IMG_20180910_121035723 (Large).jpg IMG_20180910_122224555 (Large).jpg IMG_20180910_122555928 (Large).jpg

IMG_20180910_122025014 (Large).jpg