Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Need Vernier Dials for Bridgeport

Another way is to mount a boring bit in the spindle (fixed so the spindle
won't turn), mount the dial with the hole vertical and use the mill quill
down feed. Down feed can be set to a fixed stopping point, making all lines
exactly the smae length. The point on the boring tool acts as a "shaper"
for scribing the lines. Saw that one a long time ago in the "Home Shop
Machinist".

No need for turning down thedial after scribing the lines...but you may need
to remove burrs.

Smoke

>A weird way of doing it - more labor but less messing with a sometimes
>frustrating chemical process -
>
>Assuming you want even markings on the edge (turned, not faced)
>of a cylinder.
>
>Use brass, not aluminum or steel! (Aluminum reacts violently, haven't
>tried steel, but it shouldn't work, as it's ferric chloride etchant)
>
>Mount a sharpie pen in the spindle of mill.
>
>Mount cylinder centered in dividing head or vertical rotary table.
>
>Align pen over centerline in Y (turn off motor, obviously)
>
>Adjust spindle height.
>
>Run X up to a stop, making a mark.
>
>Index head.
>
>Repeat.
>
>etch in PC board etchant. This will leave metal where there is a line.
>
>Fancy ways -
>
>Make dial of aluminum. Instead of pen use small dia. V cutter and lock

spindle height.

>A flame tip burr works good, as it makes a deep, narrow groove.
>Make grooves.
>Mix dye into epoxy (available where fiberglass supplies are sold as gelcote

dye) and

>coat your dial with colored epoxy.
>
>Turn dial down until the lines are suitably thin.
>
>A coat of clear gloss acrylic will protect the shiny look.
>