What size dovetail cutter? Mitutoyo test indicator

[Janderso]

I'm not done yet (heat treat to follow)
I had to try it out. =Rock solid and repeatable.
I tried it out on my scraped sample-known square to two other angle plates I've surface ground.
All three are within .0005" of square!!
I then tried it out on a cheap 2x4x6, out by .006"
Hey, I have a new precision shop tool!!
It only took me 187 hours but look at the money I saved.

 

[dkemppai]

That looks awesome! Nice job!

 

[Janderso]

I don't remember the exact interference Stephan used, I do remember hearing you can get away with A LOT more than you'd expect because the contact area is so small. Something like 10 or 20 thou can work.

If you do epoxy, etch or grind the surface of the balls. Epoxy will have trouble bonding to something that smooth. The shape isn't going to help either. JB weld would probably be fine there, also cleanliness...

I can't wait to see how this turns out for you. Keep us updated!

Dan

Good advise on roughing up the surface of the bearings.

 

[dkemppai]

Good advise on roughing up the surface of the bearings.

I forgot to mention, If you have some Ferric Chloride around, that does a nice job of etching most metals. (I use it to etch stainless steel knife tangs for glue up, and to etch a logo on a blade, etc).
https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Chloride-Etchant-Solution/dp/B008O9XMYA/
You can buy it dry and mix your own too:
https://www.amazon.com/Ferric-Chloride-Powder-Ounces-Etchant/dp/B00IG81AZM

You'd probably need a cotton ball or two wet with it to etch enough for the epoxy to grab. Probably want to wear gloves, it stains horribly.
Just wipe the carbon-y black left overs off really well under water. I usually do a couple of quick etch/clean cycles near the kitchen sink. The small amounts needed should be able to go down the drain.