#roughcut2022 #SHOPMADETOOLS
Dear Viewers, here is my contribution to the RoughCut2022 video hashtag.
It's not a cutting tool but it will help you if you do use lathe cutting tools.
Enjoy!
In case you don't have access to a lot of machine tools, this tool height setter could be made from a 3D print quite easily. Even a wooden version would work. The key components are the two calibration set screws. Having adjustment built into the tool makes is reliable
For anyone who might want to make one of these tools, I am sharing the link to a PDF version of the 2D drawings, www.dropbox.com/s/obza2844i2p...
Some people have asked if I intend to make any of these for sale but the short answer is no. It would cease to be a hobby for me if I were churning out batches of small parts and the reality is that I would lose money on every one I sold.
For some reason this video has attracted a lot of negative comments lately. Rather than answer each comment individually, it is easier for me to pin this comment here and refer people to it. Firstly, this video was an entry in the RoughCut2022 video challenge in which KZhead creators were asked to make a tool. I made a tool. It didn't win. I don't mind. I had fun making the tool. Secondly, yes, you can set a lathe tool by trapping a scale/rule between the tool tip and the work. But this is a fairly subjective method. It does work and I have used it but it is approximate. Thirdly, I acknowledge that this tool is overly complicated but it does work, it is accurate and a similar version is made and sold by Edge Precision. Fourthly, I am not asking people to buy it and I only ever made two of them, one of which was given away as a subscriber gift. I wanted to make something nice for the gift which is one reason why I spent a lot of time finishing it. Fifthly, I like making things and finishing them well. I enjoy using processes like anodising, CNC engraving and bead blasting. If you don't want to use those processes, you don't need to and the tool will still work perfectly. Sixthly (is that even a word?) I wanted to showcase some techniques which may not be widely known for makers who watch KZhead. Even if you don't want to make a lathe tool setter, you might still see a technique that you could adapt to a different project. I hope this answers a lot of common questions. Regards, Mark Presling
awesome tool mate, I'd love to have one of those.
you make what works for you if you enjoy making it and it works as it is supposed to then, anyone complaining is forgetting the first rule it's not their problem. By the way your finished product looked very well made and finished very impressed.
You are a true artist and a pro. Don't listen to youtube nincompoops. Thanks for sharing. I'll build one.
Thank you Sir for your knowledge & video I do appreciate your efforts
You look to be of an age where we did things simply, yet... You've developed an unnecessarily complicated tool for a simple task. The simplest ways are best...What we did was interpose a (straight) steel rule between the tool tip and the workpiece (I'd use a straight plastic rule, now, carbides tending to be brittle by comparison with HSS, or interpose a plastic pad between my hard steel rule and the tool tip), having got the tool up to something approximating the lathe spindle centreline. the rule then lies at a tangent to the workpiece. If the rule is vertical, the tool is at centre height. If the rule top is nearer the operator, the tool's below centre, and vice versa... Imagine... You're on a big Swift (or other) lathe, with an 8 foot diameter cast iron cylinder mounted in it... you have no means of getting to the tailstock after a tool swap or regrind... even if there's no workpiece in place, do you want to move the toolpost 4 feet to get a tool on centre? No, you get a rule out of your box (or top pocket) and interpose it between tool tip and workpiece, when it's loaded... Works with LH, RH, and upside down tools Not criticism, by the way, merely an observation... The old Cincinnati tool and cutter grinders came with a centre height setting tool as standard equipment, used for setting cutter teeth on centre before grinding, and, they could be used to set a tooth on centre whether it was pointing up or down, and to set the wheelhead spindle centreline relative to the workhead or centres... Same simple tool... Something similar or even simpler could be used on a little lathe like yours...
I could watch that all day.
Mr. Pressing, I don’t care what anyone says about this tool in a negative way. I love it. I think you did an amazing job. It shows off your talent and creativity. All the negatives are just jealous. Keep up the good work my friend.
Thank you. I am glad you appreciate it for what it was. I think the thing that is often missed is that I like to use processes like anodising and CNC engraving. The tool was just a demonstration of how you can use those processes in other applications. Regards, Mark
I totally agree!
Nice little gizmo you came up with for tool setting. I like it!
Not a black art , grinding lathe and milling cutters and setting up was all taught to me as first year apprentice as a fifteen year old , Brings back memories of feeds and speeds for internal and external screwcutting , When I started at a big engineering company they had just bought their first CNC machines punch card operated , now look at the job !
I been a Machinist for 45 yrs, and i gotta say, that was very very cool.
I thought he was just going to show us a complicated version of the old fancy metal ruler method.
Quickest and easiest way to find the centre line of the tool. Spin the tool post around and set the tip to the point of the tailstock centre. Works every time, no tool needed! Also in the UK we call the projection a 'Pip'... great video as always Mark
That's how we used to do it at school. However, once you spin the tool post you lose your reference on the DRO. I wish I had one of those fancy schmancy multifix tool holders but an old cheapskate like me finds them a bit too pricey. Regards, Mark
How we have done it at work: take an aluminium-sheet. Put it on the cross-slide. Make a mark with the tailstock centre. Saw on the mark and make the sheet to look as a "Z". There is the correct hight. We have made them from aluminium, made one last thursday (took about five minutes). With a good bandsaw one could make it in Aisi316 to last"forever". The inserts slowly destroys the aluminium edge so be prepared to make a new every 15-20 years 🤭🤣...
This also only works if your center is actually on center. All kinds of reasons why that might be out.
Me too, since it’s already there . 😊
Spinning tbe tool around assumes 2 things, which can be incorrect: A) the toolpost is vertical, hence doesn"t change height B) the tailstock is vertically centered.
Now you are just showing off :). Beautiful job,
my mind was blown when you installed the tool and showed how easy it was to use! absolutely outstanding.thank you for the video!
Very nicely made and finished off. Small to fit in the toolbox and a great addition to any lathe! Cheers, Jon
Thanks Preso for more great machining guides .
The last time I used a lathe was at school 63yrs ago! I always love watching professionals at work with lathes, it’s an obsession with me. Learning it helped me at work, 37yrs in the ambulance service, it helped me know a bit of what they were talking about when I was patching them up! 😅. Brilliant video.
Thank you. A lot of people misunderstood the purpose of this tool and the reasons I had for making it. There are simpler ways of setting lathe tools to correct height but I wanted to demonstrate some procedures and processes that can be carried out in the home workshop and the tool was a good way of doing it. However I made two. One was given away as a gift and I keep the other one next to my lathe. I use it often and it just works. I am glad you appreciated the content for what it was. Regards, Mark
Very nice! Please keep producing machining and related videos. Thanks for the instruction.
That tool turned out, well, perfect! Love the color and the engraving takes it up a notch. Very well done!
Such a well made tool. I do very much appreciate the effort you put into finishing your projects.
Great job making that beautiful and very useful tool. Thank you for sharing it with us.
WOW, that was an awesome video to watch. I was completely captivated for the whole video. Thank you for your imagination and creativity. I am self taught and learning so much from people like yourself. Best of luck to you, Wylie.
Very nicely done! Looks great and works great.. Thanks for sharing. You are inspiring!
A brilliant little design and easy to use.
Absolutely BRILLIANT! Good on ya Mate. Thanks for sharing.
That was brilliantly done by a genius, great to watch and I appreciate your attention to detail. Well done...
Great looking and functional part! Bravo!
Very nice little tool to have and very well made, with great attention to detail.
Where could i find a boss like this? my boss never touch a lathe or mill. I think you broke the rule Mr Preso, this's not a tool, its an art work!
Thanks mate. Praise from you means a lot to me. Regards, Mark
That’s an amazing project! Great video as well!
Beautifully done!
NICE WORK, as is your usual! Enjoyed watching and learning.
You are awesome. Thanks for the info!!
Looks great . Thanks for the drawings.
As always, an interesting and educational video. Thank you.
Hi Mr. Presling, I made a 3d printed version of your tools. It is incredibly simple and very smart design as I can just use almost all off the shelf parts and it also works really well. Very easy to set and very consistent. Thank you for sharing your fantastic design.
Thanks and I am glad you were able to make a 3D printed version. I copped a lot of criticism for making a tool that appeared to be over done and out of reach for a lot of viewers. My intention was to make something nice to give away as a gift but I always reasoned that you could make a serviceable version from CNC machined plastic or even cut out of some plastic stock on the bandsaw. The key is to have a way of calibrating the tool. I use mine a lot and it just works and there's little guesswork involved. Regards, Mark
Such an interesting design, and beautifully crafted. Mark, you are such an inspiration 👌👏👏👍😀
Several people have asked I intend to make any of these tools for sale but the answer is no. I doubt I could make them at a competitive price and there are similar tools on the market anyway. However if you would like to make your own, I have included a link in the description which will allow you to download a PDF version of the 2D drawings. The tool body doesn't need to be made of aluminium. I good quality 3D print in PETG or carbon fibre filament would be fine. A resin print would be even better. The only requirement is that the two setting screws can be adjusted and locked and that the top and bottom mounting surfaces for the spirit bubble levels be parallel to each other.
Thinking about this a bit and I don't even think the top and bottom surfaces need to be parallel since they are not really used at the same time, each level is really only referenced to the adjustment screw (which should be perpendicular to the level). Since each side is calibrated only between a single level and the adjusting screw for that side being parallel to the opposite side it nice, and pretty, but not a requirement. Please correct me if I am wrong. I love this project and the presentation you made of it.
That would make a great addition to MY tool box. Wonderful project
just subscribed, I'm going to be watching a lot more of your videos, thanks for taking the time to pass on your knowledge.
wow! I'm impressed. Thank you for sharing this great idea and making these videos. I'll decently be back.
Good design and nice looking too
Very useful tool. Good video with the machining clearly shown. Thankyou
Onya sonya!!! Nooiiccee!!! Love it. It's on the list now for sure. God Bless
Thank You, learned something, really nice shop!
Gorgeous finish.
I’m most impressed with how well the rest of his tools are set up, feed rates and everything. I have to agree there are much easier ways of finding center and making a tool to set up your machine so that it makes everything good and correct but you don’t have machines that are set up good and correct yet.
Nice looking, practical and useful tool.
Very nice! I'm a great fan of your channel. Learn from you every time that I watch!
That is a great little tool that would be so very handy to have in the tool box.
Thanks Mark , Great work 👍
Excellent design and manufacture 👏✔🧐. Certainly more versatile than many crossslide height setters. Again brilliant work and photography. Thanks for sharing and best regards from the UK. John.
Great job, Mark ! With your equipment and your knowledge it's an easy thing for you. The precision is overwhelming. Thx for showing. Best regards !
Thanks. Sometimes you get lucky. Regards, Mark
Amazing craftsman!
Another work of art. Very clever concept indeed. The copper pad inserts are a great way to hold things from moving. Another trick to bung in the 'Handy Ideas' folder. Thanks as always for sharing this Mark. Cheers from N.Z 👍
Thanks. A small scrap of nylon or PTFE works well too. We are actually in New Zealand now. Up in Whangarei. Shame about the weather. Regards, Mark
Very awesome tool Thanks for sharing the video
great addition to the arsenal
Very nice job. Looks great!
You are just amazing!!! Thanks!
Wow!! I wish that I had thought of that. Well done. Thanks
Ingenious tool!
That was some nice work.
Love it, my problem is the quick change holder is a bit inaccurate and the tool tip can be a bit off depending how one holds it when clamping. This sorts that and its on my lets make one list. Brilliant!
Years ago when I ventured into wet tumbling I looked at the larger tumbler and decided it was more than I needed. I ended up with the harbor freight duel tumbler with a homemade pvc drum. This works great for my volume needs. However, if they made the smaller tumbler back then I would probably have chosen it. Thanks for the video brother. 🙏
What brilliant idea!
Very well done!
Simple yet efficient and accurate. Watch those fingers Mark.
That’s nice workmanship! 👍
Great job as usual
Very interesting approach and even nicer work.
Nicely made mate!
Very well done as expected. Thanks for the video keep on keeping on.
Thanks Harold. Regards, Mark
Pretty snazzy tool setter there. Well done.
What a great tool you have! Really good video
way cool bud,new subscriber here,thanks for sharing,im a old back busted trucker with not much to do so im impressed with these videos.keep up the good work and thanks for sharing....cheers from north carolina usa
And again, I'm very impressed! A nice challenge to reproduce this tool on my mini lathe ;-)
Very cool, well done and very useful
Brilliant!
thank you - good health to you from South Africa
Great idea!
You sure do nice work Preso.!!
Another great project and nicely finished as usual. The finish you achieve (anodizing, powder coating etc) really make your work stand out. I did miss the usual banter though.
Normal service will be resumed in the next video. I promise. Regards, Mark
Absolutely brilliant anodising.
Thanks, but I must say it has taken a long time to get consistent results. I only found out recently that you need to check the PH of the dye. If it's too alkaline, it won't work well, or at all. Also, if you don't rinse all the electrolyte off the part, you will get bare patches where the dye won't penetrate. Regards, Mark
Love your teaching skill (and your accent)
Very nice tool setter. I’m going to have to add it to my ever expanding project list.
I have a list just like that. Regards, Mark
Cool Tool!
Great build and a very nice, professional finish Mark. Catch up next week.
Thanks. Let's hope the weather improves. Regards, Mark
Well executed machining and complete finishing process of doing not only this tool (which is well thought out) but any tool or part from cradle to grave. I'm retired from 50 years engineering, still active in my own shop. I have continually learned and asked questions from others like yourself for better, easier, more logical ways to improve our craft. Great job Mark, I like the tool and your build execution.
Thanks for that. I enjoyed making that tool and although it's a bit over the top, I still like to use the processes that enhance the finished product. I guess it's a case of being able to justify the expense of purchasing tools and materials. If you don't use them regularly, it's a bit of a waste.
You sir are a genius ❤
Anodizing looks really nice.
Really nice tool. The finishing touches put it over the top.
The job's not done until you make it look pretty. Regards, Mark
Nice build…enjoyed
lovely work , good video , well thought out , liked & subbed
I enjoyed this as it showcased a lot of thought and techniques in machining, plating etc. As a wise man once said " those that can, DO and those that can't, WHINGE"
Thank you. I appreciate that you saw the video for what it was. I did want to showcase some techniques and processes that I use regularly and that maybe some people haven't had the chance to try yet. It's all about sharing. Regards, Mark
@Preso58 Hi Mark I've got an old Aussie made Advance Lathe which I've tinkered with over the years. It's a small model makers lathe, but I've recently picked up an old Harrison 13x40 and planning to do more substantial projects. Channels like yours provide a lot of common-sense instruction. Take me back to my days at tech in Ballarat back in the 70s. I'm now interested in Anodising aluminium after watching your work. Thanks again.
Really nice work,,especially the copper washer for the grub screws.
And didn't I have fun trying to get those little bits of copper into those holes! Poor eyesight and shaking hands can be a "challenge". Regards, Mark
excellent work my friend : )
Great retro colour too.
I'm glad you like it. I procrastinated for ages trying to work out what colour to use. Regards, Mark
noicely done, just poifect 👍
Good job Mark. I may have to make one. Cheers Willy
This man is a professional at his trade ,, nice
Very professional Mark, and many techniques demonstrated. It's a reference work. Cheers.
Thanks for that. It's probably way overdone but it sure does look pretty. Regards, Mark
Hi mate from Athens keep up the good work.
Enjoyed the minimal verbal chatter and good editing- no extraneous shots - I followed along just fine. Decided to subscribe on the strength of this video.
Thanks for that. However I did get some feedback to say that I should have narrated the build. That is what I would normally do but this video would have gone on way to long if I started explaining every step, Regards, Mark
Good work impressive 👍
Very nice job.