chem wrote:

What size parallels do you suggest? I was just going to measure the
ones we have around the shop and make a few sets of the same sizes.

chem


It's one of those things where it's tough to have too many. Commonly available are
sets from 1/2" thru 1-5/8" in 1/8" increments. I have 3 sets like that which were
purchased at a very good price and then match ground. Out of the box they vary too
much. I have others that were made or acquired along with other tools, some are
I-beam style that give a wide surface, and they look cool. Also some made from
square tubing. I tend to keep several 1/8" thick by 6" aluminum blanks handy for the
odd size needed when the "standard" ones don't do the job. You might consider
cutting a step along one edge of your parallels so that during use the step is
placed against the jaws. That eliminates the sharp corner that catches chips easily
and leaves some space for a sharp or slightly burred part edge. If you harden your
parallels, don't make them too hard, you *will* drill into them sooner or later. Or
someone else will.

michael