mklotz
Well-Known Member
I've mentioned before that I use a lot of depth gauges.
Today I was making something that required frequent measurements with one of these gauges. Fiddling with the calipers to read the measurement after setting the gauge got to be tiresome. Then I remembered that I had bought one of those digital indicators at HF when they were on sale for some ridiculously low price.
I quickly (re)discovered that digital indicators, like digital VOMs, are lousy at indicating trends. They're really only good for making 'stationary' measurements.
I dug it out of my toolbox where it had been languishing and made a tiny button tip for it out of brass. (It's worth having a 4-48 tap and die on hand so you can make DI accessories.) Then I made a sleeve that attaches to the indicator 'shaft' (the part fixed to the frame) with a nylon-tipped setscrew. Said sleeve has a through hole slightly larger than the movable stem on the indicator.
Here are the component parts
With the sleeve attached, set the instrument on a flat surface and zero the indicator.
Now, to read the depth gauge, simply stick it in the hole.
The last picture shows the thing clamped in the vise but that was only because I don't have a third hand to hold the camera. Normally, it's held in my left hand with the depth gauge in my right.
Today I was making something that required frequent measurements with one of these gauges. Fiddling with the calipers to read the measurement after setting the gauge got to be tiresome. Then I remembered that I had bought one of those digital indicators at HF when they were on sale for some ridiculously low price.
I quickly (re)discovered that digital indicators, like digital VOMs, are lousy at indicating trends. They're really only good for making 'stationary' measurements.
I dug it out of my toolbox where it had been languishing and made a tiny button tip for it out of brass. (It's worth having a 4-48 tap and die on hand so you can make DI accessories.) Then I made a sleeve that attaches to the indicator 'shaft' (the part fixed to the frame) with a nylon-tipped setscrew. Said sleeve has a through hole slightly larger than the movable stem on the indicator.
Here are the component parts
With the sleeve attached, set the instrument on a flat surface and zero the indicator.
Now, to read the depth gauge, simply stick it in the hole.
The last picture shows the thing clamped in the vise but that was only because I don't have a third hand to hold the camera. Normally, it's held in my left hand with the depth gauge in my right.
