machinist@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Machinist
List archive
- From: Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>
- To: machinist@lists.ibiblio.org
- Subject: [machinist] Table stops. Anyone still use them?
- Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 11:29:05 -0500
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/table-stops-anyone-still-use-them-279363/
-
01-30-2014, 10:07 PM #1
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- NE Texas
- Posts
- 37
Table stops. Anyone still use them?
Hey guys!
I recently came up with an idea. A kind of upgrade for Bridgeports and clones
that I may go ahead and pursue...
A large factor though is whether or not people actually still use the manual
table stops on their mill. I think I already know the answer to this, but I would
still like to quick survey!
So, Who still uses the little manual x-axis table stops on their kneemill?
Any details you care to share would be helpful as well, like how often,
what kind of operation, accuracies maintained, and any sort of gripes,
complaints, or specific reasons you don't use (or even hate) the table
stops.
Table stops opinions!!!
Hmmmm..... Previewing this post makes me wonder if people are going to think I'm crazy...... I know it's kind of a strange thing to ask about
-
01-30-2014, 10:16 PM #2
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- Northern California, USA
- Posts
- 1,168
-
I sometimes set them, usually just X, if I'm doing something like whittling a pocket and I have repeat travels to the same stop points. It saves having to always watch the dial going each direction. Even if I zero the dial one direction, the other will always be some odd number. I usually set the stops just a little short and do cleanup by the numbers.
-
01-30-2014, 10:33 PM #4
- Join Date
- Dec 2003
- Location
- Palo Alto, CA USA
- Posts
- 839
I use mine for a few production items where I want to be able to crank the X-axis quickly over to the stop. I made myself a very solid stop for just that purpose, so I could slam into it hundreds of times repeatedly without losing .001"
-
01-30-2014, 10:37 PM #5
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- NE Texas
- Posts
- 37
tgtool: This is exactly how I use mine. Also for repeated hole positions.. I've been finding myself doing
repetitive hole patterns quite a lot lately... very simple, but very repetitive..
Starbolin: What do you mean exactly? nevermind, I see what your saying lol -
01-30-2014, 10:40 PM #6
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- NE Texas
- Posts
- 37
Frank, I believe I've seen your stop once in another post somewhere? I like it!!
BTW, pretty table! -
01-30-2014, 10:48 PM #7
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- marysville ohio
- Posts
- 3,792
I use them, I put a threaded adjuster for each side on the center stop. I also made a stop for the Y axis
-
01-30-2014, 10:55 PM
Diamond
-
01-30-2014, 11:16 PM #9
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- NE Texas
- Posts
- 37
CNC is for rich lazy people lol.. Just kidding.. (but seriously..)
Originally Posted by John Welden
It's 2014, I use CNC.
How's the weather up there this year? I lived in over in Roslyn
for a while before I moved to Texas.. Can't wait to get back to the
northwest one day!! -
01-30-2014, 11:35 PM
Diamond
-
If I understand properly, you're thinking of some sort of programmable table stop, for hole patterns and such? Key in numbers and the stop moves to there. Self locking, precision acme screw, probably stepper driven. Probably four or six pre-set buttons. Knock out hole patterns cheaper than a DRO and faster than manually. Retail for a couple hundred bucks?
I could have used something like that yesterday, in fact. It could be made user-friendly to improve the production of a manual-only prototype guy without much learning curve. They exist for miter saws, but that's a lot more travel. -
01-31-2014, 12:46 AM #12
- Join Date
- Jun 2001
- Location
- downhill from Twain\'s study outside Elmira, NY
- Posts
- 6,836
Strictly manual here.
I use the stops for multiples.
Have even considered making/replacing the Y axis stops on my SB mill. Must not need 'em bad enough, never get around to it.
smt -
I use them occasionally to ensure that I don't overshoot the mark, especially as I near completion of a complex piece.
No matter how good the DRO there is always the possibility of turning the wrong handle the wrong way.
Dan -
I have converted my Bridgeport to cnc, nothing beats a computer for repetition. That said i oftern still run odd bits with the handles, even then a DRO + the graduations a stop does seam kinda un needed these days.
-
Again, for multiples using the lever feeds. Especially fast for shortening and finishing bolts.
Repeatable to 2 thou with a little care using a single 5/16 capscrew and nut to adjust and lock. -
01-31-2014, 09:08 AM #16
- Join Date
- Aug 2004
- Location
- Richmond,VA,USA
- Posts
- 1,122
I use them when I am sharpening planer blades with the X power feed unattended. I can do something else while grinding away and then just come back to it, adjust the Z and reverse the feed. That's about the only time. Seems like everybody I know gives me their blades to sharpen. It's kind of a mess so I cover the ways with aluminum foil and do a couple of sets at the same time. When I'm done I crumple up the foil with all the crap in it and I'm good to go.
Reply
- [machinist] Table stops. Anyone still use them?, Lawrence London, 01/31/2014
Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.