On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 03:11:43 GMT, "DeepDiver"
wrote:


Hey Michael,

SNIP

But there are some additional features of the
spin index that are not intuitive.

Most of my use is to grind a diameter on a shaft held in the 5-C

MORE SNIP

The next question is, what is the purpose of the locking screw (on the top
of the body, it screws down against the spindle)? Since the spindle is held
in position by the indexing pin, the locking screw seems redundant? Unless
the spindle is supposed to be locked with the screw, then the indexing pin
removed to prevent wear or damage to the indexing holes. But if that's the
case, then the locking screw seems woefully under-designed, as it has a very
small bearing face upon which to make contact with the spindle. (In fact,
since the locking screw acts radially against the spindle, under ideal
conditions it will only make line contact against the spindle.)

I tapped through that aluminum screw for 1/4-20, then made a decent
dimple on my barrel that a long and pointed-end 1/4" cap screw could
pick to lock the barrel, while still allowing the original screw to be
used to put drag on the barrel if the 1/4" was backed off enough. I
made a scribe mark on the free end of the barrel to show where the
lock-point is. Works a treat to hold the barrel while tightening the
collets. I first used to try using the index lock-pin, but found that
the index plate would just turn too before I got the collet tight.
I've always kept that little barrel collar off the free end as the
end-play adjustment, and have never loosened it to try anything else.

Take care.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.