Accurate Drilling - centering microscope, USB cam, optical punch?

Gallery, Projects and General > How do I??

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Jasonb:

--- Quote from: John Stevenson on June 26, 2011, 06:34:13 AM ---If you are drilling on the mill why not use the dials / DRO [ if fitted] to lay the holes out ?

John S.

--- End quote ---

As he says the holes are drilled sequentially I would thing that a depthing tool is being used to get the mesh correct rather than just laying out the holes. But yes iff a DRO is available its more accurate than marking out.

Chris what type of punch are you using. First you should lightly use a dot punch and inspect the mark, if its off then it can be "moved by slightly tipping the punch and tapping again. Once you are happy with the dot position follow up with a centre punch.

Another option if you are using a depthing tool is to drill the size hole you need in a bit of scrap steel, use the depthing tool to set this where you need the hole, clamp to the workpiece and then you have a correctly positioned drill guide.
The small optical punches work quite well, I have the Veritas one.

J

raynerd:
Thanks for the info so far. Modelozer, yes I would definitely like to see your pics and plans! what software do you use with it?

John, I could use my dro and I sometimes do but I'll soon be using a depthing tool to mark out the position of gears and so this wouldn't be useful. Also, holes are often drilled in relation to one another and so I still need to find my position from another hole, which I need to centre on. I do agree, dro should be used more but ontop of that I don't always trust my cheap Asian made scales.

Jason, I'm not going to lie, I'm just using one of my three from my punch set!!!! I also have one of those self hammering ones which is no use at all for getting aligned!! I will investigate with the intent to purchase some punches this afternoon.
Chris

Jasonb:
If you have three in a set then just grind one to a 60deg point and use that as the dot punch.

J

DaveH:
Chris,

You don't really need to punch, if it is marked use your mill with a "pointy" bit in the chuck. Align it all up.
Use a small centre drill or spotting drill, and you are away. :D

:beer:

DaveH

kwackers:
If you're simply lining up to an existing mark - say from your depthing gauge. I doubt you really need that much accuracy.

I use one of the cheap pointy tools that you put in the drill, spin up and touch with a pencil to centre. Using that and my eyeball I can easily get within about a thou, probably way more accurate than you need (remember - engineers make bad clocks! "If it rattles, it'll run!").

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