- Joined
- Aug 16, 2013
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The other day I was doing that juggling act with a micrometer and started thinking I could really use a micrometer stand. Looked around on the Infomercial Superhighway and started getting a pattern together in my head. My plan was to print the patterns and when the 3 feet of snow in the back yard is gone cast them but the more I thought about it the more I felt that I should just print it. It’s not like I have to clamp down hard on the micrometer, I just want it to set still while I take a measurement and this is what I came up with.
My selection of colours was strictly based on using up filament that was close to “the end of the roll” so 2 colours it was.
I printed the fixed jaw in 2 pieces with holes for alignment pins to avoid having to use supports. I hate supports. The pins are just 14 gauge wire and then epoxied the 2 pieces. From the look of the prints I think my printer is due for another tune up.
The printed parts work fine but are to light. I didn’t want to have to slice off a 1/2in of 3 or 4in metal for the base but digging around in my stash I found a chunk about the right size that had started out life as a failed flywheel. I’d given up on it years ago because it was just nasty to machine but for this all I needed was weight.
I’d drawn it for M8 bolts but didn’t have any with a full thread so used 5/16in, there very close in size.
I put a light spring on the bolt between the fixed and moving jaws. It’s not necessary but does keep the bolt from just coming out the front. With some peel and stick foam on the jaws my 1in and 2in micrometers are held securely and with the weighted base I don’t have to chase it around the bench.
My selection of colours was strictly based on using up filament that was close to “the end of the roll” so 2 colours it was.
I printed the fixed jaw in 2 pieces with holes for alignment pins to avoid having to use supports. I hate supports. The pins are just 14 gauge wire and then epoxied the 2 pieces. From the look of the prints I think my printer is due for another tune up.
The printed parts work fine but are to light. I didn’t want to have to slice off a 1/2in of 3 or 4in metal for the base but digging around in my stash I found a chunk about the right size that had started out life as a failed flywheel. I’d given up on it years ago because it was just nasty to machine but for this all I needed was weight.
I’d drawn it for M8 bolts but didn’t have any with a full thread so used 5/16in, there very close in size.
I put a light spring on the bolt between the fixed and moving jaws. It’s not necessary but does keep the bolt from just coming out the front. With some peel and stick foam on the jaws my 1in and 2in micrometers are held securely and with the weighted base I don’t have to chase it around the bench.
