Seadog
Save the planet. It's the only one with rum!
- Messages
- 11,454
- Location
- NE London - UK
I recently acquired a nice Baty 2" travel dial gauge, in need of TLC. Stripped and cleaned it, lined up (more or less) the needles and reassembled it. However, its missing the contact point. After half an hour I'd satisfied myself it was a 2.5mm x 0.45 thread. I could buy a couple of Chinese ones for around £4, or make one.
So i made one...
Chuck up a piece of 6mm silver steel, cut a nominal 15 degree taper and the centre and drill 3.8mm
After cleaning up it's passable
Why 3.8mm?
Well. I've got these
They're 4mm and enough for several of my lifetimes, so why not use one?
I tapped into the end and closed it over with a rivet set and snap that was more or less the right size
Not too bad, so time to knurl it
So-so, but it'll do the job. Part off, reverse, reduce the diameter to 2.5mm and thread it. What could be easier?
Oh well, I don't think I've ever threaded anything under 1/4". More finesse needed next time
Second attempt
Being a bit crafty here, using my centring tool to form the end over, a much nicer job.
Heavier on the knurl too.
Parted off, leaving a longer end to play with and successfully ran the thread.
OK, maybe I should have changed the knurling wheels for a finer set, but it only looks bad through the lens of my camera
And finally, fitted
Looking better already
So i made one...
Chuck up a piece of 6mm silver steel, cut a nominal 15 degree taper and the centre and drill 3.8mm
After cleaning up it's passable
Why 3.8mm?
Well. I've got these
They're 4mm and enough for several of my lifetimes, so why not use one?
I tapped into the end and closed it over with a rivet set and snap that was more or less the right size
Not too bad, so time to knurl it
So-so, but it'll do the job. Part off, reverse, reduce the diameter to 2.5mm and thread it. What could be easier?
Oh well, I don't think I've ever threaded anything under 1/4". More finesse needed next time
Second attempt
Being a bit crafty here, using my centring tool to form the end over, a much nicer job.
Heavier on the knurl too.
Parted off, leaving a longer end to play with and successfully ran the thread.
OK, maybe I should have changed the knurling wheels for a finer set, but it only looks bad through the lens of my camera
And finally, fitted
Looking better already