DIY flat contact for dial gauge

[LCHIEN]

Here's how its made, in detail for those who requested.

http://users2.ev1.net/~lchien/woodwo...at_contact.pdf

Summary:

use a plug cutter to cut a 5/8" disk from a scrap CD.
Sand down any burrs on the face side (recording side)
Place a drop of CA glue on the back center.
Install the dial gauge in the jig that's square to the table surface
With both the jig and the disk on the flat surface, place the round point of the gauge in the drop of CA glue and let set.

[gjbivin]

Thanks, Loring! I have exactly the same guage and was trying to figure out how to do a flat probe - the commercial ones are way overpriced, in my opinion.

For a little more durable probe, how about using a coin such as a penny or dime? The harder metal would help reduce inaccuracies caused by the face getting gouged by blade teeth and the like. I would sand one face flat, then lap it on a sharpening stone or piece of sandpaper on glass. I think the CA glue would hold, especially if you rough up the contact spot on the back of the penny.

[Ken Massingale]

Thanks Loring. Great idea and excellent instructions. I saved the PDF for reference.

I really like those technical terms:

"For measuring the tippy top of router bits" ;-D

[boblon]

Excellent article.

Thank you very much Loring

BobL.

[wardprobst]

Good post, nice photos. FWIW, if you need a 4-48 machine screw, tap or die in the future that size is commonly used in gunsmithing. If you have a friend that is a shooter many times they will have spare screws of this size.
Dale