Thread: dail indicator holder.

hi again. ive been getting annoyed with the mag base and dail indicator set up i have for my 9". i think its the machines small size that makes it tricky at the moment i have the mag base set up on the motor mount and i move the carriage back towards the tail stock until the dail comes in contact cross slide apron. and then advance the tool post to the depth of cut required.
ive seen some great simple solutions to problems on this forum and thought before i try to reinvent the wheel id ask here how others mount there dial indicators. while im asking i can never find the right place to rest my beer while using my lathe. photos would be great.
thanks aaron

Aaron,

Given the lack of response from fellow Hercus users, have a look at the South Bend forum on Practical Machinist. The Yanks will have undoubtedly come up with an answer.
South Bend Lathes - Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web

As for a good location for the can of while you're using your machine, I leave mine in the fridge.

Take care,
Bob.

To check the runout of a job in a chuck, I can just fit a magnetic base on the flat section in front of the compound slide on my Hercus 9 inch.
To control carriage movement, either a plain or micrometer carriage stop can be clamped to the bed - optional accessories for Hercus. There are plans for DIY versions around, if that's what you're after?

Jordan

I have a micrometer saddle stop on my lathe and find it extremely useful. I can't imagine a dial gauge being overly durable mounted in that location.

On the other hand, a dial gauge, mounted away from harm on the cross slide, would be real handy.

You can always mount an indicator or gauge on your tool post. Most manufacturers of DTI's include the mounting bars in their kit.

Bob.

thanks jorden. that pic is very handy for another project i am working on. setting up the job isnt really a problem. its just were do i put the dail to measure how far my cutting tool is advanced before a cut.
thanks again
aaron

can you please show me a pic of your saddle stop bob. it may be a solution im just used to using a dial. wich ever way i spell it. thanks a lot for your input. once again.
aaron

If you have a plain carriage stop, you can use it in conjunction with the compound slide's dial, and have the effect of a micrometer stop.

Jordan

Jordan beat me to it. Anyway, here are some more photos. You can't have too many.

Jordan,

How do the copy and the Hercus stop compare?

I have always liked the look of the SB. The local stop is quite utilitarian but works well enough.

I suppose you have the 6 position indexing stop as well I've been tempted to get one but don't know if it would be used much. The micrometer stop has proven invaluable.

BT

The Hercus micrometer stop is more compact, and can let the carriage move slightly more to the left without removing it, compared to the SB one. Both work OK. The lack of a lock screw on the Hercus one hasn't been a disadvantage yet, but I haven't had it for long - I bought the SB copy when I had no other. I think SB made a more compact type as well. My previous Taiwan lathe had a graduated dial on the apron wheel, and when I saw the Hercus didn't have one, I wondered how to control cutting tool travel - the carriage stops are the answer.
I have a home made 4 position indexing carriage stop, and have never used it except as a plain carriage stop. I haven't needed its repetition feature - more useful for production runs I think?

Jordan

i normally control tool travel in this direction with marking out and measuring. i do have a graduated dial.for cross feed. its just that i have become used to using a dial indicator on the the back of the tool post. this doesnt really work for my 9c because of the size of the machine

here is how i have it set at the moment.

Attachment 160519

it work's ok but i dont really like it. after a cut i move the carriage back. and then advance the tool.
Attachment 160520Attachment 160521

ok just so im not missing out i think i will modify the item in the lower pics
to be a carriage stop for my 9cAttachment 160522

Attachment 160559

Attachment 160560

Aaron,

Why don't you make a bracket to hold the indicator, that mounts onto the end of the saddle and utilizes the taper turning attachment fixing holes. The photo below is of the saddle bracket for the taper attachment but you could knock up something simple out of angle.

Bob.

yah thats a great idea bob. just have to move the machine to get a proper lock back there.