Making Stefan's Indicator Holder - Part 1 - Stock Prep 

I thought yours came out great. I was thinking with mine, I might do some endmill-flutes around the edge of the knobs. I have a small home made knurling tool that I got in a lot that I bought, but I think the mini flutes might be a nice touch. I will try to get some actual parts made today! Cheers, Craig

Good idea. I suspect every single one will be slightly different. I might make a few alterations to the plans with mine :)

Thanks, yes hopefully another video about the arm part coming out in a day or so. Cheers, Craig

Cheers Craig - keep your eyes peeled there will be another video on the arm section soon. Cheers, the other Craig :)

Yep - I have mentioned it(for creators and viewers) in the upcoming video. Starting with the arm piece! Gave up on stainless, started on a piece of cold rolled and it's going much better. Cheers, Craig

Yes, there are a few of us making it. If you haven't seen the others (Emma, Matty, Ted and others ..) please click on, or search for, #GTWRIndicatorHolder - I hope you enjoy! Cheers! Craig

@@CraigsWorkshop I've never seen anything being made by several people at the same time, I think it's brilliant!

@@28gwdavies The internet makes all sorts of things possible! Amazing how we all go about it differently despite having similar machinery.

@@CraigsWorkshop Well I fall into a different category, I passed an entrance exam at British Aerospace in the 70's as a toolmaker but chose to follow a different path and became a tv engineer, worst mistake I ever made. Now I potter in my shed on a Chinese lathe with a mill slide and dream of what could have been... I get enough enjoyment watching you lads so I won't complain.

Thanks. Next video will arrive pretty quickly this time! Just need to finish editing. Cheers, Craig

Bill - the dunny hasn't looked at me the same way again since the video incident. May take significant time for the trust to be fully regained! Thanks for the offer of the stainless. I did make some pretty good headway on the arm section using the cold-rolled steel, so we'll see how it goes! Will keep it in mind though. How are you doing? Cheers, Craig

🤣🤣🤣🧻 My satirical input is suffering too 🤦‍♂️ All good down here, I don't go out much normally so no biggie but the crib board has never gathered so much dust 😟 But, I did get the belt grinder bolted down and actually made a knife last week ☺️, can only play shed tetris for so long 😁

Made a knife? Where's the video! :)

One day, but not with this clapped out mac. I'll happily trade blades for some help😁 You know how good I am at email 🤣

@@billbaggins Once the virus shenanigans have passed, you have a deal mate. Actually, I think I may still owe you for this table saw extension (that I haven't installed yet). Cheers, Craig

Hi Joe. Thanks. Yep, I still need to look at Max's video. There needs to be a playlist with them all in

@@CraigsWorkshop I wish there was #GTWRbyStefan

Good idea. I'll add a hashtag to mine. I'll use #GTWRIndicatorHolder though - since GTWR is a shortening of Stefan's surname. Just in case he does more projects for us in future!

@@CraigsWorkshop Tell your friends if you have any ha ha

Thanks Kevin. I reckon you're right. I think when I have my mist coolant set up, it might help solve this sort of problem.

The usual "goto" stainless rectangular section is 304, a nightmare for work hardening and distortion, not usually thought of as "free machining"

Thanks Little Work Shop of Horrors. In another comment Carl mentioned that 316L is a good choice because it's marine grade and leaded (for free machining). And now you've mentioned that 304 is a nightmare for work hardening and distortion. I'll note these comments down, and make sure if I have a project in future that needs SS, I will buy the right stuff, rather than relying on unknown scraps! I wonder if there's a test (like the spark test) that can tell me if it will work harden or if it's leaded (perhaps try welding it?). I have lots to learn. Cheers, Craig

@@CraigsWorkshop 303 is OK and is a common as supplied round, along with but less common 316. 303 turns nicely but can be a problem when drilling due to heat build up and "grabbing". 304 when polished looks more like chrome, while 303 is very slightly nickle coloured. Not turned enough 316 to give any comment.

Great info thank you! I have just looked up some stainless steel grade comparisons, and it's pretty complicated. Lesson learned: Stainless Steel is not at all interchangeable! I do weld, and stainless is a useful material there too, it would be good to have a go-to stainless for machining, and another for welding. Or even one which can be used in both applications. Thanks again for the information. Cheers, Craig

Thanks Carl - good advice on the 316L. I will remember that, and try it out on a future project. The threaded hole came with the vise - I do have a few images of your vise stop saved though! I would need to spot face or otherwise machine the area around the threaded hole because it appears rough cast at this stage. A vise stop would come in handy on most jobs though. Good thinking! I'm looking forward to the day I can show off the precision ground stones on video :)

Yes, Stefan's patreon page has them! (And several others have made or have started making the indicator holder too). I hope everyone uses the #GTWRIndicatorHolder hashtag to make it easier to find the videos. Cheers, Craig