Fay Butler Metal Fabrication: For Measuring/Machining

Fay Butler Fab/Metal Shaping

For Measuring/Machining

Below are some items that you might consider for your measuring in machine work. They are mostly Starrett. Other companies make comparable style stuff, but Starrett, from my experience is really the best. If it gets broken they will usually fix it for about half the price of new. So unless I mention otherwise assume the items are Starrett. Starrett listed two numbers in their catalog. It is like they had an old system, that maybe goes back 100 years, and then needed to upgrade for modern digital age, so where both numbers are given I list them.

Starrett invented "Combination Squares" which are so commonly made by everyone. They still, in my opinion, make the best one. Their heads are made in two versions, one is cast iron (No. 11H Series) and the other is forged and hardened steel (No. 33H Series). I would recommend the 33H series with a 12" and maybe a 18 or 24 inch scale. The No. 4R scale graduations are most common if you are using fraction measurements, and then the No. 16R if you are using 50ths and 100ths graduations. This scale gets a little confusing, and I would suspect would not be one you would use often, but might be nice to have as an additional option.

Dial Calipers in the No. 120 series models. I like the 0-9" best with a dial that reads .100" in .001 increments. Purchased in a wooden case, the number is #120AZ-9/EDP No. 64520. There is a depth attachment #PT22431/EDP No. 64640 which I sometimes use, but you can still read depth without it.

Outside Micrometers No. 436 Series in a 0-1". This comes in many different styles and features. I would recommend getting it with Carbide faces. The other features only have remote use, like friction thumb screw adjustment, locking device.

The Flexible Post Indicator Holders with magnetic base. The one I recommend is #657T/EDP No. 52760 This will hold either of the indicators suggested here.

Dial Indicator #25-441. This is a white face dial, and red and black can be substituted. It reads .001 increments with a .100 dial and has a full travel of 1-inch. What I use with this indicator on a regular basis is where I change the style of the contact tip. It unscrews with a #4-48 thread and you can purchase an aluminum ring with 14 variations screwed into the ring that allow you to take one out and interchange it with the standard one on your dial indicator.

Contact Point Set #25R/EDP No. 50153

Dial Test Indicators with swivel head # 811-1CZ/EDP No. 57081 in white dial. This number is for the indicator that reads .001 and has a 1 5/16 long contact point that is doing the reading. This number also indicates the indicator in case with attachments. It comes in other versions with different color dials B811-1CZ/EDP No. 63263 (Black dial) and R811-1CZ/EDP No. 63267 (Red dial).

This last item goes with the first item, the Dial Test Indicators with swivel head # 811-1CZ/EDP No. 57081 in white dial. This is the IndicOL "clamp on indicator holder" #178 which is made for the Bridgeport-size quill diameter. McMaster Carr sells it — part number #20945A65 for $62.00. This holder with the Dial test indicator will let you know right where you are when using a Bridgeport. I cannot imagine anyone having any accuracy on a mill without this measuring gauge to know where you are in set up, etc. and I very seldom find a shop that has this set up.

McMaster Carr also carries all these items I think, and if you have their catalog they reference Starrett numbers.

One more item is a large three-legged disk that allows you to "tram the head" of a Bridgeport in without removing the vice. I have not seen this item anywhere, except from the manufacturer directly. I purchased mine from them directly, I think the cost was about $250.00 or so. On the bottom of the unit, cast in is the following "ACCUDYNE EZ-TRAM.COM" Look here on the web to find this. It is not a must tool for a Bridgeport, but it certainly makes using one more convenient.

I have been purchasing machine shop related tools, cutters, hardware, etc, from Victor Machinery Exchange, for 20 years or so. It is a small company that you can actually call and talk with the owner Marc Freidus directly. Check them out for their reasonable prices and great service, either on line or call and ask for a printed catalog.