So I've been wanting to get or make a bend level indicator for some time now. But like alot of people on here I imagine, I didn't want to drop $50+ on one. So I've been searching trying to find something already out there that'll work for cheaper. Below is what I found, and you can probably get 1 or a cheaper set that's not Starrett for less. But I figured I'd sell one for half what I paid and only have a little over $25 in one. If this is a repost sorry, I searched and didn't find anything. My buddies Dad who's a Master Machinist is pissed I'm breaking up a matched set.
That is how most vee blocks come for work holding. I can't see why you would spend $50 on some to hold an angle level. Seems the one that I bought from trick tools to go with my angle level was way less...
**edit** Yup, I only gave $59 for the level and clamp...
The clamp part I would assume is die forged steel, I may tig a little 1/4" rod on the end so you can finger tighten it quickly. The sides of the blocks have grooves so you can clamp various OD's.
Some companies make some out of 1/2 plate and they work, but I'm a cheap ass sometimes.
So I've been wanting to get or make a bend level indicator for some time now. But like alot of people on here I imagine, I didn't want to drop $50+ on one.
Call me crazy, but why in the hell would you spend $50 on a POB bracket unless you just had the money to blow? I like those clamps and all, but it's so easy to just make your own POB bracket. I've never understood why guys who are so supposedly into building stuff go out and buy the simplest of tools. Mine cost $7 for a short section of threaded rod and a little knob for it, plus some scrap I had around the shop. Here is the one I built, it's 1.25" thick. Overkill for sure, but that is the scrap I had. Anyone with a little scrap of plate, a hole saw and a band saw could build one. $50 is ridiculous.
Some of us have projects to complete. In this case, it makes much more sense to buy a tool than make one. Now, if a tool isn't available that will suit one's needs, then by all means, make one, but I strongly suspect that at $70/hour, I would have more than $25 in making a POB tool versus buying a V-block that has other uses as well. I believe my economics profs would have referred to this as "opportunity cost":flipoff2:
I got mine two days ago, I'll try them out here soon. They'll work quite pimp I presume, I really like the big 2x2 square base on the bottom so I can get more adjustment if need be.
I'm thinking it'll come in handy for double checking the angle while notching too.
That's the level of difficulty I'm aspiring to get to, thanks for posting the pics of that tool in this thread. As the main reason I started it was to save people money, yours just happens to save tham ALOT more! :smokin:
I made a set of V blocks at trade school when I was an apprentice, Not hard to do infact if you have a mill It would be one of the many things id be making on the Mill whilst learning how to machine properly.
They are a really common project for first year machine tool tech students at the school I attended.
I just made a pile of them out of wood earlier in the week as I need some to keep stuff from rolling off the bench. You'd be amazed at how often a pair of wooden V-blocks come in handy.
I actually still have the matched pair, figured its always nice to have a backup, or it may be nice to have for when I build a tube chassis to pull quick measurements off both sides.
A digital angle finder would be nice, but I use the "flick" method to fine tune my $8 Grainger one. :laughing:
I guess for what these are for, you don't need the high dollar starrett ones, I just got a good deal. Think I paid $50 shipped for two, but there is a set just like them on ebay for $200 buy it now.
All of the machinery supply houses have import brands that will go to 2-1/8" for less than $100. They are also a commonly discounted tool.
My new favorite supply houses are Wholesale Tool (in Indianapolis, within neck-wringing distance) and Victor Machinery Exchange in Brooklyn.
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