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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
    Posts
    4,049

    Default Centre Height Gauge

    After fiddling around making a small boring bar, I finished the centre height gauge I have been working on for a couple of days. All in stainless steel. Top bolt adjusts height then side one locks it. It is not easy to see but the top piece started as hex. I cut bottom flat and top angle by mounting it in the 4 jaw. Also drilled and milled and tapped hole at same time. The clamping thread was already there. I have ordered some 10mm x 1mm magnets from ebay. If they are strong enough I will bore a hole to suit in base to hold it down. Sorry about the jaw marks (smack).

    Attachment 180841

    Attachment 180842

    Dean

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    6,458

    Default

    Dean,

    I knocked up a similar device a while back. http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/simple-lathe-tool-centre-height-gauge-129620/
    It's a useful bit of gear made more useful because my lathe has an extended cross slide. Conversely, it's next to useless on my Hercus with the standard cross slide. On that lathe I still fool around trying to align my cutters with the tailstock centre. Your little gauge would sit nicely on the ways and the inclusion of a magnet would ensure it stayed there. A neat idea and one I should copy.

    Thank you.

    BT

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Dural NSW
    Age
    82
    Posts
    1,203

    Default Lathe Centre Height Gauge

    Bob
    Thanks for the info on your Lathe Height Gauge & the photos of the Hardinge design.
    If you do not have a patent on yours & you dont mind, I will copy yours.
    There have been many times when I have had a need for a Centre Hight Gauge on my Lathe.
    regards
    Bruce

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
    Posts
    4,049

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Anorak Bob View Post
    Dean,

    I knocked up a similar device a while back. http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/simple-lathe-tool-centre-height-gauge-129620/
    It's a useful bit of gear made more useful because my lathe has an extended cross slide. Conversely, it's next to useless on my Hercus with the standard cross slide. On that lathe I still fool around trying to align my cutters with the tailstock centre. Your little gauge would sit nicely on the ways and the inclusion of a magnet would ensure it stayed there. A neat idea and one I should copy.

    Thank you.

    BT
    I think it was that thread that made me decide to make one. I also have been using the tailstock centre. With my cross slide the ways were the only logical surface to use. There is a flat surface on the carriage but I felt it would be more awkward to line up to it. On the ways I can move the carriage and rotate the post to line up. Easy. I should try it out. I haven't used the lathe since. I engrave each tool with its mounting height so I can work out the spacers needed. Usually this is enough as all my spacers have the thickness marked as well. The diamond holder needs a gauge tho.

    Dean

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    I've got the old style tool holders which hold 1/4'' HSS blanks at an angle of about 15 degrees to the horizontal. That means every time you move/replace/grind the HSS tool you change it's height. I reckon I could use some sort of height gauge.

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