I appreciate any advice, including pointing out that I'm wrong!
I just purchased an LED edge finder that is made of aluminum, .500 shank and .200 gold plated tip. Made in USA and patent pending because it also attaches to a 1" block that allows precision z-axis indicating.
It comes with instructions on dialing in the edge finder for repeatability, including marking the tool and marking the collet for consistent placement (should that matter if the spindle and collets are true?).
So I chucked the edge finder and measured runout on the shank, showing .002. I then measured the small tip used to touch work and light up. It showed like .0025. After removing the tool, I reattached it and measured again. This time .0045 runout. Again, remove, reinsert and this time runout is .0035. And again; repeat and .0051 TIR. It keeps changing every time!
I figured I must have a speck in my collet or maybe didn't wipe down the edge finder properly. I kept checking for cleanliness and even made sure I didn't crank hard on the drawbar. Still TIR varies. So then I mounted a Hanita 1/2" roughing mill and measured runout on the shank. It shows .0007 no matter how many times I remove and replace it. I then grabbed my regular wiggle style edge finder and it shows .0014 TIR five times in a row. No changes in either.
I then took my new edge finder and measured diameter, which changed .001 in 3" of length. I don't know if that is why it can't seem to run true...or is it because it is aluminum, and appears turned, instead of being hardened and precision ground steel?
I just purchased an LED edge finder that is made of aluminum, .500 shank and .200 gold plated tip. Made in USA and patent pending because it also attaches to a 1" block that allows precision z-axis indicating.
It comes with instructions on dialing in the edge finder for repeatability, including marking the tool and marking the collet for consistent placement (should that matter if the spindle and collets are true?).
So I chucked the edge finder and measured runout on the shank, showing .002. I then measured the small tip used to touch work and light up. It showed like .0025. After removing the tool, I reattached it and measured again. This time .0045 runout. Again, remove, reinsert and this time runout is .0035. And again; repeat and .0051 TIR. It keeps changing every time!
I figured I must have a speck in my collet or maybe didn't wipe down the edge finder properly. I kept checking for cleanliness and even made sure I didn't crank hard on the drawbar. Still TIR varies. So then I mounted a Hanita 1/2" roughing mill and measured runout on the shank. It shows .0007 no matter how many times I remove and replace it. I then grabbed my regular wiggle style edge finder and it shows .0014 TIR five times in a row. No changes in either.
I then took my new edge finder and measured diameter, which changed .001 in 3" of length. I don't know if that is why it can't seem to run true...or is it because it is aluminum, and appears turned, instead of being hardened and precision ground steel?