Min-Its center finder
Min-Its center finder
Here's another one of the oddball tools I inherited from my dad, a Min-Its center finder.
The instructions bill it as a tool for jig boring.
Not sure how old it is, but the box has a ZIP code, so it's post 1966.
The center pin wobbles, while the side arm can be locked in place. The whole unit is spring loaded from the shaft that goes into the chuck.
You put the center pin in your punch mark and with an indicator on the locking arm, you rotate the spindle. It measures how much the center pin wobbles.
I guess its an early form of the blake coax indicator.
Steve
The instructions bill it as a tool for jig boring.
Not sure how old it is, but the box has a ZIP code, so it's post 1966.
The center pin wobbles, while the side arm can be locked in place. The whole unit is spring loaded from the shaft that goes into the chuck.
You put the center pin in your punch mark and with an indicator on the locking arm, you rotate the spindle. It measures how much the center pin wobbles.
I guess its an early form of the blake coax indicator.
Steve
Re: Min-Its center finder
That is a really great idea! All the bits in one tool, only a few seconds to put in and go!
Wow.
Pete
Wow.
Pete
Just tryin'
Re: Min-Its center finder
AND it is short, too. Doesn't take up much 'Z' space. The coax indicator I have is 6" from the chuck grip to the end of the shortest probe. It also has a centerpunch probe, but I have never used it.
Good find. Does it have a manufacturer name?
--earlgo
Good find. Does it have a manufacturer name?
--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
Re: Min-Its center finder
Yes, on the drill press, I don't have a Z adjustment, just the quill, so the Blake isn't any use because when I stick the drill in, it won't reach.
The box just says "Min-Its center finder" and the address. The address is a one-bedroom single-family house in a residential neighborhood, so maybe someone was making these in his garage?
The story just got more interesting.
Steve
Re: Min-Its center finder
Not sure how short it is. If a last word is about 3" long, then it looks like this is about 6" overall too.
Dave
Re: Min-Its center finder
Neat tool. Looks like about what you do with a piece of bar stock between a center in the ts quill and a punch mark on work in the 4 jaw. Probably better accuracy than a cheap coaxial indicator.
Dave
Dave
Re: Min-Its center finder
Beats the heck out of the one I tried to design. Way too wide.
--earlgo
Never made this one because it didn't look right. Center post and probe rotate with chuck. Horizontal arm can be stationary and rises and falls with eccentricity. Sort of like the Blake but different. (counterweight on opposite side from DTI)--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
Re: Min-Its center finder
I like earlgo's version too. Not many machines are limited by throat depth; seems like Z is often a problem.
Re: Min-Its center finder
Feel free to stea...um, copy the design. It isn't proprietary by any means. There are 2 versions: 1 with a DI and the other with a DTI.
--earlgo
Yes, there is a complete set of drawings and models made in SolidWorks 2008. They are easily imported into OnShape that is on the Dassault website. The drawings are in .PDF format also if anyone is interested. I didn't make this so the drawings are not shop tested.--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.