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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Self Stick Vernia Scale

    I was making a small part that needed a 5 degree slope. I had a lot of trouble seeing the "whiskers" on the cross slide scale on degrees. My lathe is an antique so I suppose that the scale over time has worn so the markings are not very easy to see any more. (Yeh I know ...."what do you expect at your age".

    Some years back I needed a tape on a table that measured right to left of zero and left to right of zero. The tape was of good quality and is still doing a good job. I can't remember where I bought the tape from. I was thinking if I gave a manufacturer the circumference of the dial they could just adjust the scale 0-360 to suit my old lathe. Does anybody have any clues who could do this service?
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  2. #2
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    Default

    The hardest part will be finding a tape with glue that doesn't die after 10 minutes in cutting oil...

    Something that might help make the existing scale more readable... Clean it all down really well (acetone probably), then go over the whole scale with a white paint pen. Once dry, scrape it off with a razor and it should hopefully leave all the grooves filled with white

  3. #3
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    Default

    Elan you were thinking as I was. Its a very hostile environment for a glue to stay adhered. The painted "whiskers" may be the go. I used a small torch to try to read the degrees. I shone it from different angles to get a shadow so I could read it. It was not a very fruitful activity.

    I just had a "brain flash".....if I could find an appropriate tape with easy to see marks I could make some small rivets and secure the tape that way.....maybe
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  4. #4
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    Default

    This is why satin chrome was invented

  5. #5
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    Apr 2012
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    Healesville
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by chambezio View Post
    I just had a "brain flash".....if I could find an appropriate tape with easy to see marks I cut make some small rivets and secure the tape that way.....maybe
    Try a black texta then rub with wet n' dry.....
    or if you want to use tape then you will need....
    Given circumference (C) = 360
    Diameter =
    C =
    π
    114.59155902616 ....minus the thickness of the tape x 2

  6. #6
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    Default

    Just a further thought on the paint pen...you might need to try a few to find one that doesn't dissolve in your cutting fluid. Maybe something like engine paint would be better

  7. #7
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Default

    Is there room for a sleeve? Just wondering whether a thin sleeve (say 1 or 2mm thick) with new engraving that you secure over the existing scale may be the go.

    Michael

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
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    Default

    This is a long shot, but Mal Conomy sells these to fit on the slotted cross-slides he makes for Hercus lathes. Could it be adapted?

    https://australianmetalworkinghobbyi...product_id=579
    Chris

  9. #9
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    moonbi nsw Aus
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    Default

    You fellas are on the boil with ideas. Michael making a ring with graduations is interesting. A ring dropped over the existing scale is good idea. The scale is vertical at about 8mm high with the graduations engraved in that face.

    Jack, I looked at that link and was surprised that they are selling a flat ring for $18....a bargain but not the right sort in my application
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  10. #10
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    Default

    Hi Rod, any chance of a pic of your set up please, it will make suggestions a lot easier when we know what we're looking at.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  11. #11
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    Default

    G'Day Kryn, the outside temperature is in single figures so I will do the pix tomorrow. (I don't like the cold". Has winter started in your neck of the woods?
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  12. #12
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    Default

    Hi Rod, not yet winter, still in the low 20's, had good opening rains a few weeks back, farmers are starting seeding.
    Take care.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  13. #13
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    Default

    I don't know about self adhesive, but AliExpress has round scales available

    Sent from my 5007U using Tapatalk
    Using Tapatalk

  14. #14
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    Default

    Sorry for my absence yesterday, I suppose you were all sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for the next action filled episode.....well what I did yesterday was remove the top slide off the lathe and took it outside to the sun and cleaned, oil mainly, from the dial area. You know what I found? The graduations engraved into the body of the top slide were 0-30 degrees left and right. Just goes to show how unobservant I am. In the sunlight the graduations were still a little unclear so I sanded, with 400# wet and dry, the area and the marks became quite clear to read. I cleaned the surfaces with thinners and applied black sharpie ink let it dry then sanded off the residue with the wet and dry. I think I have solved my problem. Where I have the lathe situated it is a bit dark even with lighting (maybe my peepers are fading) so that contributed to my problem reading the guage.

    I took some photos to demonstrate the scenario but I can't get the photos into the computer from the camera.....yeh old fartism. So thankyou to all that have offered wisdom for my problem. It is so eazy to over think a situation that can be fixed an easier way
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  15. #15
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    Default

    I meant to mention, yesterday when I was going to reunite the cross slide with the lathe the area of sanded metal at the scale site had, over night, "tarnished with a fine film of surface rust (the metal was too clean). so I gave it 2 coats of lacquer from a spray can. So it looks like I am in business again

    Thanks again to all for your recommendations.
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

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