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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    134

    Default How do you differentiate Metric/AF blocks etc

    The other day i went through an entire machining cycle without realising that i was using one metric and one imperial 1-2-3 block. Now this was a fairly low accuracy process, so nothing really lost but it got me thinking about my processes, and I realised i probably need a way to differentiate my 1-2-3 blocks and some other tooling from each other.

    One friend has suggested using spraypaint to paint the inside of the block so that it is visually different but the clamping surfaces are still clean. But this probably doesnt work for all of the items.

    What other methods are people using?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Ipswich QLD
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,996

    Default

    Letter No stamp maybe?
    Laser engraver?
    Mark the box they sit in
    Tag them

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    134

    Default

    Laser engraver would work, but i dont have one.

    I would worry about letter stamping something where i would need to have a reference surface, and same goes for tags as they need to be reference surfaces so the tags will inevitably get in the way.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    Hopefully the solution to this 1st world problem does not progress past this post.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    If the 123 blocks have threads in them, you could make some plugs out of coloured plastic or 3D print some, or even just put a couple of grub screws in one type to identify them as "different".

    Another way might be to do a swap with someone to get rid of either your metric or imperial ones so you only have one sort.
    Personally - that would be my preference as I find enough ways to screw things up already without adding metric/imperial mixups to the list

    Steve

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Measure them with a vernier before use?

    Give one set to me, so you can't get them mixed up?

    Simon

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    A bit of sandpaper and polish the larger one until it matches the other.... ��

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