I think Don is single handedly picking up the slack for the decline in formal machinist training in the US. For those who want to learn how to be a machinist, Don is filling in a lot of the blanks. Thanks Don!
As always a great video. I was taught 50 years back when using telescoping gages to pul the gage slowly through the bore but to stop recenter the telescoping gage and slowly tip pacst the center point of the bore. Like the ides of using ring gages to practice on first to better develop a proper feel. Using gages like this require the operator to have high defined skill to use them properly. Best BB
Nice video Don, thanks for putting that up. As somebody almost completely self-taught it's confidence building to confirm that I'm doing things correctly from a master. I'm not so sure about the whole ball on ball measuring thing, and don't think that was a good idea at all. It was however a good demonstration of why flat parts are measured with a ball measuring face, and convex shapes are measured with a flat measurement face
meocats It is not the camera man as much as it is the improved resolution. We have been adjusting the settings for the camera and the sound. You should see more improvements going forward.
Telescoping gages were developed to be used with micrometers. Not height gages (although I appreciate what you are trying to demonstrate). I also like the older gages, like the Lufkin. Best regards, and nice discussion as usual.
This is the second time I have watched this video. I could never get a consistent measurement with the snap gauge but the same was happening with my micrometers. My method was holding it perpendicular and then tightening which caused it to come out of the bore loose. I was using the fine ratchet on the micrometer and it was too tight when I tried to get that gentle slide across the anvils. You have increased my skills to a new level. I wish you could advise me on my 1960 South Bend 13", rear bearing overheating big time but it's a long story and would take 3 or 4 pages to explain. But thank you so much for teaching me how to measure, it will only get better
Amazing stuff. Keep'em coming Don. I just bought an great old Logan 11x36 lathe and am reorganizing my shop to make room. This is my first venture from miniature machining. So any video's about how to best do that I know I would enjoy
Very interesting video. Yes, such measurements can be called art. I recently boring case details, as also used micrometric callipers. The problems are the same - to catch the lowest point. It all worked out, thank you for sharing your own experience.
using a telescope gage or ball gage truly depends on old school "feel". However measuring flat surfaces with a micrometer, using the friction thimble or friction ratchet makes the "feel" the same for anyone using those features on modern micrometers.
Great stuff, Don! More like that, please. This is the stuff that needs to be handed down to the next generation of machinists and tool makers. I want to come work for Suburban Tool, it seems to always be lunchtime there... 8^)
Trying to redo an engine here and just checking my work, I'm pretty confident in my skills now. Threw a telescoping gauge into my engine and micd it. Threw my bore gauge into the mic and lined it up at 0. Then I threw it into the engine. Came out reading 0. I think I may have the hang of this.
Any tips on measuring big bores? I find the bigger the bore the more difficult it can be to find the center since the sides get flatter and flatter. I guess that ID mics fit the bill the best then. I like that squeak feel when I measure, if I get that just right ringing squeak I know I am there.
+bcbloc02 measuring ids with inside micrometers takes a scientific approach. the inside micrometer have the spindle end held stationary as the pivot. the micrometer should be moved in a arc perpendicular to the bore axis moving the micrometer thimble out to find the high point of the arc with a light drag. this same method should be should be used moving the micrometer in a arc parallel to the id axis. note a "squeaky" feel could mean a tight "feel"
I just got my first set of Starrett small hole gauges... 1/2 ball... Wow. I am close, but I will fixture the part like you say. Oh, I gotta be within .0003"... but the job has demands... Don, I love your videos. Could you do one explaining why nobody else could ever set my micrometers for me? They refuse to believe me. Thanks! Mark
Im curious on what I need to get started as a hobbyist machinist. I am a electrician by trade, and spent many years working in industrial plants working as a electrician/slash mechanic building and working on equipment, so I learned a lot of basics with welding and using milling machines, but no means a skilled machinist by trade. I picked up some tips and tricks from the guys in the shops. Anyway my question is this. I have just bought a affordable mini mill for home use, and the mill comes with nothing but a precision vise and a chuck. no collets nothing. What would you recommend as a starter kit to get me going on a budget, or what are the basic tools or cutters I will need to get started. Thank you
SuburbanTool Inc Well for example one day, I wood like to make a fly fishing reel, but for now, I want to make a simple right angle aluminum bracket 3 inches by three inches, 1/4 thick and mill four adjustable slots in it so I can mount a depth sounder transducer on the back of my boat.
I've found that a bigger radius on the ends of a telescopic gauge gives a more accurate reading. cheap imports have small radius. they are junk. I've seen Starrett with a smaller radius also. any opinion on this? I rarely use my small hole gauges and felt uncomfortable using them... your technique will help me become better at using them .. thank you
Hello, what pointers could you provide to someone in the market for a garage sized surface grinder (used). My concerns would be the ways, spindle and other areas of concern I may not be aware of. Could handle a machine of a ton or lighter but something that might be a
can you please make a demo of how to use the cadillac gauge to the left of the surface plate. we don't have one in our inspection room at work, and its been a while since i've last used one. Thanks, Randy B.
I miss working with the guys from the old school like Mr Bailey. Is Suburbon Tool hireing? Haha. I can match his telescope skill and show him a few things about Jig Grinding (haha)
meocats You could use the telescoping gages. Inside micrometers , electronic height gage, Bore gage. It all depends on what tools you have to work with.
When you say “a couple of tenths” is that a, one thousandths of an inch divided by ten? As in half a though wound be five tenths? 0.001 = one thousandth. 0.0001. = one tenth ?
My advice on measuring small holes within tenths, don't screw around with these type of gauges. Instead get a set of tenths gauge pins and be done with it. Don't forget cylindricicity has a major effect on measured size.
I don't see any point in measuring the length of the bore gage with a height gage. It'll take too long to find the longest distance, it you ever do find it. I used to measure bores using two precision balls and a set of gage blocks. Sometimes the bores were tapered and I used trig functions to calculate the end diameters and taper.
i really object to the word "art", tool making is the "craft" of applied mechanics. this is learned through an apprenticeship that includes both practical hands on labor, and scholastic efforts. learning to use telescope and ball gages are part of the craft not an art. I will add that not everyone has the "aptitude" to learn the skills especially the manual part.
sahkram We view this as the left brain right brain scenario. You are correct that this is a craft. To take it to the next level sometimes requires that creative side of your brain though. That is why we believe there is some art form involved.Thanks for watching.
pls make ur video shorter i don't have time to watch the whole thing... maybe u need to crop some part.. u are expert and good teacher but much better if u make it shorter
