Adjustable parallels

[Omnimill]

Come on then, who's made a set. Lets see how you did it, or should I just buy some?! :big:

Vic.

 

[arnoldb]

: These are still on my to-build list... Don't know when though :big:

Kind regards, Arnold

 

[steamer]

Phil Duclos did an article on making them in HSM. It's in the Phil Duclos book also.

Honestly, I would just buy some.....but then again....I like making tools! ;D

Dave

 

[gbritnell]

As with most of my home-made tools they are usually made for a special purpose. If I needed some sort of odd ball size or shape I would probably make it, otherwise for the time spent making accurate adjustable parallels I would just buy them.
A person would probably have to make their own small dovetail cutter to cut the slot. Rather than try to get the slot perfectly centered in the stock I would get it as close as I could, assemble the 2 halves and then cut them to the same thickness.
gbritnell

 

[Omnimill]

Well done lads, just found it in the Phil Duclos book!

 

[steamer]

As I recall, he shows a way to make a dovetail using a standard endmill.......but I only have 1 cup of coffee in me at the moment...you mileage may vary....professional driver on closed course,,,,yada yada yada..... ;D

Dave

 

[Blogwitch]

I'm definitely with George on this one, and is the way I personally operate.

I have a rule in my shop, if it can't be bought or I can make a much more accurate bit of tooling, I would make it, but if the tool is cheaper than the time it takes me to make, and I charge myself, at this time 15 UK pounds per hour (just over 20 bucks), then I buy it.

So say to make the tool would take me 4 hours, then that would add up to 60 pounds + material costs, if the cost was only 30 pounds + postage retail, then I would buy it.

It all depends on how you spend your free time, how much time you have available to yourself plus how much you value it.

It is always a personal choice, and only yourself can guide yourself.

John

 

[steamer]

I'm definitely with George on this one, and is the way I personally operate.

I have a rule in my shop, if it can't be bought or I can make a much more accurate bit of tooling, I would make it, but if the tool is cheaper than the time it takes me to make, and I charge myself, at this time 15 UK pounds per hour (just over 20 bucks), then I buy it.

So say to make the tool would take me 4 hours, then that would add up to 60 pounds + material costs, if the cost was only 30 pounds + postage retail, then I would buy it.

It all depends on how you spend your free time, how much time you have available to yourself plus how much you value it.

It is always a personal choice, and only yourself can guide yourself.

John

YUP!

Totally agree Bogs

 

[Tin Falcon]

Spot on Bogs !!!!
Tin

 

[Noitoen]

Sometimes a hobbyist has lots of time and little money.

 

[Tin Falcon]

Like bogs says personal choice.
Tin

 

[tvoght]

A hobbyist with more time than money must needs pay himself less, and Bogs' logic still stands.

--Tim

 

[steamer]

Adjustable parallels are wonderful things to have....regardless of the source.......

How about some great applications for the use of adjustable parallels...homemade or store bought........


.....please... 8)

Dave

 

[maverick]

Adjustable parallels are a slick way to measure the width of a slot, say in a mill table for example.
Slide the appropriate parallel into the slot vertically, adjust it till it's snug to the sides of the slot and
measure over the part sticking out.

 

[steamer]

Great Tip Mav....i've used them like that.

Using them for set up packing on the boring table is also useful

 

[speedyb]

lol, was hard to resist a set of virtually new starrets for abut $40 glad I got them.

 

[Omnimill]

They do look nice. It's the price that's not! :big:

http://www.easupplies.com/STARRETT-S154LZ-Precision-Adjustable-Parallels-p/ht22hg.htm