Optical Centering Microscope

[woodchucker]

If I don't run the pointed ones, I can't use my wiggler. Chazz, it's a bunch of hogwash.

 

[whitmore]

I was playing with this to see how accurate it really is.
...
I am probably within 1-2 thou of center? I could adjust this closer but this works for me. It is similarly centered when I rotate the spindle 90 deg each way. Is there another test I could consider?

Well, you could paste some bit of sandpaper onto the spindle and spin it; the blur of grains of abrasive will
make circles that would graphically demonstrate the reticle centering.

 

[mmcmdl]

It looks like a nice project , but what's it used for ? Picking up a punch mark ?

 

[woodchucker]

It looks like a nice project , but what's it used for ? Picking up a punch mark ?

who, or what post are you directing that at?

 

[mmcmdl]

The original centering microscope .

 

[ChazzC]

The original centering microscope .

Some links:

https://www.titantoolsupply.com/productpdf/CenteringMicrosocopes.pdf

Centring Microscope - hemingwaykits.com

Unique projects for the small workshop owner. Please browse our Toolroom and Engine Bay for our latest project kits.

www.hemingwaykits.com

https://insights.globalspec.com/article/11822/using-a-centering-microscope-for-precise-workpiece-location

And a (mostly) positive perspective from PM:
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/...ling-machine-handy-or-not.280307/post-2230052

My (admittedly infrequent) use has been picking up the intersection of two scribed layout lines. Yes, you can center-punch the intersection , but that adds two more sources of error: locating the punch mark relative to the intersection and picking up the punch mark.

 

[mmcmdl]

My (admittedly infrequent) use has been picking up the intersection of two scribed layout lines. Yes, you can center-punch the intersection , but that adds two more sources of error: locating the punch mark relative to the intersection and picking up the punch mark.

Well that's what I found concerning . Thanks .

 

[rwm]

Depending on the circumstance, typically, sometimes between often or occasionally, I use it to pick up a reference punch mark which may have been transferred from the original item I am reproducing. After that I typically use the DRO to locate other holes in the workpiece. That way, I know I am very close to the first mark and the remaining holes are accurate with respect to the first mark.

 

[tailstock4]

I thought some of you might find this kind of interesting if the pictures come across clear enough. About a year ago I found a Moore centering scope in really good condition. I previously had a Titan centering scope, so I took some pictures of these in use on a Moore 1 ½ jig bore.

The Moore is on the left and the Titan on the right.




The first pictures are of the Titan center scope looking at a .050 gauge block. I lined up the center of the scope with the edge of the gauge block, zeroed the dials on the jig bore and moved it .050. The graduations on the Titan are .010 per segment.






The next pictures are of the Moore scope doing the same procedure. The graduations on the Moore are .0025 for the small segments and .005 for the large segments. Where the cross hairs meet in the center, the double lines are .001. I find this feature really useful.




The final picture is of the Moore center scope looking at a .0015 feeler gauge.





These centering scopes really come into their own on a jig bore not only because of the accuracy but also the fact that you can clamp any axis on a jig bore without affecting the position of that axis. The Moore jig bore also allows for the head to be raised out of the way and then repositioned back and still be in the same exact position. This aids in tooling changes and changes with the scopes.


One other thing, while the pictures are visible, some of the clarity is lost which makes all the difference when you are trying to measure something. But, as I remember, getting the pictures I did get wasn't easy.