Clever way to indicate a square part in a 4 jaw chuck - SUPER EASY !!

This video shows an easy way of indicating the outside of a square part in a 4 jaw chuck without the need to continuously move your indicator. Take a look at this technique. It virtually eliminates the need to re-position the indicator for each side of your part.

[@steveharmon2366]

Been in the trade 40 years had never seen this trick. That’s why I watch your channel

[@aldimmett]

Even on your birthday you are showing things to make our lives easier. Thank you for the instruction.

[@joepie221]

Happy to help!

[@warrenmaker798]

Talk about thinking out-side the square !!!! BRILLIANT. You have taken something i have struggled with 4 years and solved it in 10 seconds! I feel like such a peanut for not having thought of that my-self.

[@joepie221]

Glad I could help.

[@dougbaker6779]

Thanks again Joe, its so good to have a go to source for reliable info. Cheers

[@CJ_LEGAN]

Joe, That's the best simple trick I've seen in years! Old dogs can learn new tricks! Thanks for the videos! CJ

[@joepie221]

Thank you. Old dogs Rule!

[@N1gel]

Seems like I missed this 6 years ago. When the elastic band went on, I thought WHAT on earth. Then I smiled, you clever guy I thought. I imagined 4 pieces of wood going under the band at first, dont know why wood but only it only took a second to think Joes cut a couple of paralells in half, no he wouldnt do that. Credit where its due, great tip and I never thought of it or saw it before. .Thanks Joe.

[@joepie221]

You bet.

[@DannyJackson2529]

Great tip thank you. I've worked as a cnc operator, but I know very little about manual. Just bought an old Reed Prentice and I watch video's to learn better or easier ways to make a part. Happy belated birthday.

[@joepie221]

Thanks Danny.

[@Itwillgetbetternever]

thank you for showing this tip.i know this 22yr machinist will admit i never thought of this. i most definitely will pass it on and thanks again for the video

[@joepie221]

Thanks for watching.

[@sblack48]

Great tip! Thank you. Ignore thumbs down. You will never please everyone. Your videos are really good.

[@joepie221]

Thanks Scott.

[@MrArray1967]

Hey Joe "Pie". Just saw this great video today. "Happy birthday". In '87 I was a machinist and sort of left that trade and went to the army. Now I'm only machinist on a hobby base and I enjoy watching and learning from your videos. Thank you very much.

[@joepie221]

Thanks for your service and good luck with the machining.

[@dolata000]

I had learned about projected surfaces - but I never used it outside of the narrow application where I had learned it. This not only showed me a new way to use projected surface, it also kicked me into thinking about a lot of new ways (to me) to use projected surfaces. Nothing like a good kick in the ass-umptions to break the old brain loose. Thank you !!!!

[@joepie221]

Glad to help. Thanks for watching.

[@marknelson882]

The rubber band & shims method of indicating square stock was excellent. Glad to be still learning. Mark Nelson

[@chuirios365]

48 years in the business, and I just learned a new trick! Awesome!

[@classicrestoration]

I constantly leave your videos wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?". Excellent tip, thanks for sharing them with us.... and Happy Birthday!👍

[@eyuptony]

Hi Joe. This popped up on my YT recommended videos to watch. Absolutely brilliant I've never seen this technique used before. It's so simple it's laughable, which I did. Good old hands on tip. In a productive shop speed is a winner as you know. Thanks Tony.

[@joepie221]

Glad you enjoyed it. Pass it on and hit that subscribe button.

[@eyuptony]

@@joepie221 I'm already sub'd, been for a long time. Great info' not to miss.

[@joepie221]

@@eyuptony Thank you for your support. I appreciate it.

[@johnw.peterson4311]

Joe, you inspire and amaze. Thank you so much.

[@reshminarasimhan1812]

Hello Joe, Thanks for sharing your Experience!!!

[@joepie221]

Glad to do it.

[@cdrive5757]

This is one of those shop tips that I'll hate myself for not seeing what is now (thanks to you) obvious! Damn,.. I love it! Wakodahatchee Chris

[@egx161]

Some of the best tips or tricks I’ve seen have been simple. Simple but that require imagination and thinking outside the box.

[@joepie221]

They are even more simple once you've seen them.

[@jerrywells4380]

Great tip without all the fluff. Quality without quantity. Thanks for sharing!

[@brianjohnson217]

Hi Joe just watched your video on checking a square bar in the chuck. What a simple but brilliant idea. You mentioned that you get more thumbs than down. You should never get any thumbs down. Regards Brian

[@joepie221]

That solution seems too obvious doesn't it? It works perfectly. Thanks for checking it out. About those thumbs down. A few years back, I criticized a guys videos with the initials DB before I knew DB owned the company and was the guy in the videos. I write those thumbs down off to his guys sending me a little payback. No big deal.

[@larrysperling8801]

i thought i i'd seen all the square part indicating tricks, then along comes prof joe with another great trick.happy birthday joe.

[@markspann5813]

I recently had an opportunity to use this method. Worked like a charm!

[@iansanders9327]

Brilliant! Thankyou for everything you’ve done to enable my machining progress. I come back time after time, often just to get myself ‘into the groove’ before I start machining after a break doing something else.

[@joepie221]

Glad to help.

[@TalRohan]

I am running out of cool ways to say good things about these super useful little tecniques ...thanks Joe

[@joepie221]

Glad you like them!

[@affleck80]

Never seen that done before Joe. Very helpful, thanks. Many happy returns.

[@joepie221]

Try it. It works and is much easier.

[@kenhaley334]

If I learn something like that everyday I am a happy man ! Thank you and happy birthday Joe !

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@jamescopeland5358]

CJ you are right! Old dogs can learn new tricks!! Happy birthday Joe! I like that!

[@cosimosanfilippo9050]

Happy Birthday Joe. As usual you are feeding us tons of experience information that usually requires ... TIME to achieve if not been told...Thanks .

[@joepie221]

I appreciate that!

[@44mod]

OK it is Jan. 7 2021 so Happy late Birthday!!! I guess a older video can teach a old dog new tricks. Thank you for passing on these simple tricks but priceless. God Bless and have a great day.

[@hangten9646]

I really like your videos Joe, never boring. I'll never remember all your information,but I can always refer back to your videos. It seems to me that your heart is really into sharing your experience with us.

[@joepie221]

It is. Thanks for the message. I enjoy knowing I may be helping people I may never get to meet.

[@rescobar8572]

Thanks a million for your time and share of knowledge. And a long hello from El Paso, TX!

[@donnahansen1204]

Haven't even finished vid and knew Machinist for 30 years You never know all the tricks Thanx

[@johnathanjones6152]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!! Great video as always! You make anyone who cares about quality, a better Machinist every day!

[@newtsfarm]

Happy Birthday and thanks for this great tip, as well as for all of the other ones. I love the way you come on and say what you have to say and then get out. Too many guys come on and talk and talk and say multiple times what they're going to show and then go on and talk about it some more before they actually get around to doing it. I'm not going to name names becacause I like all those guys and appreciate their channels but sometimes they just drag things out so far that I just go look at something else.

[@joepie221]

Thanks Dale. I'll try to keep it to the point.

[@hectorplascencia2271]

I never thought about how you indicated this square piece. It is a simple but very useful idea. I have watched several of your videos, and learn something new.

[@gargueta01]

Great video. Ignore the thumbs down. You will always have haters. Thank you for taking the time to make the videos. Excellent tips.

[@timmer9lives]

Damm. I already watched this a while ago and I totally forgot about it. Only way I know I watched it is that I already gave it a “thumbs up. “ Joe has so much and so many awesome tips that I can’t even remember one half of them. Great Stuff as usual.

[@michaelschnock3998]

hey Joe, i can not tell how i was feeling to see this indicator method. darn good trick - thanks a lot :) makes much things more easy :) greetings from michael, berlin , germany

[@armdaMan]

Now this is a kind of magic !!! Fantastic and Great tip Joe. Always been battling with these Squares, even after watching Adam (Abom79) strut his stuff !!! U make it look like a "piece of cake" indeed. Gonna give it a shot now !!! Thanks a zillion for showing and sharing again aRM

[@joepie221]

Its a good trick. On rectangular parts, do 2 sides at a time.

[@baccus61]

Ahhhhh! The old inscribed circle trick. WHY didn't I think of that 30 years ago. Great tip Joe. Love your work. :-)

[@joepie221]

Projected surfaces can really solve some problems. Thanks for watching.

[@572334]

Happy B D and many happy returns. I am not far behind you and for this trick I subscribed to your channel. I do follow Adams channel and half a dozen others and learned a lot. Thanks to all of you for the time you give to us Rgds

[@joepie221]

You are most welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting. It makes it all worthwhile.

[@quinka2]

Happy birthday Joe!!! I'm 76 and still going strong! If you ever heard of "ready clamps"? That was my product line!

[@whatsonh5737]

You are a great teacher and also, you have many cool tricks to show (this one and one with steady rest aligning are my favorites), thanks again.

[@davad8980]

Thanks for the great tip. Wish I had seen this tip 30 years ago. You never stop learning. Thanks again.

[@RollingEasy]

Great tip Joe and Happy Birthday ..... There's nothing better than picking up tips from a million different ways of doing the same job. I once worked as a welder welding up someone else's gaps in structural pipework which was fitted up on site. Hours of welding 'daylight'.... I set to work with a hand held computer and worked tens of thousands of hours to write software that creates perfect ordinates templates for any type of pipe fit up at all, just so as I would never again have to weld 'daylight'.... That was over 20 yrs ago. I just love tips and tricks and better ways of doing everything imaginable in industry.

[@joepie221]

Thank you, I agree. I have sen things that just turn on the lights, I just step back and smile. I usually think, "clever old dude". I like when I offer up a trick, and someone says.....ya know what might work?

[@stuartduckworth4692]

What a great way to indicate that in. I'm new to this stuff and could see potential problems with the usual way of doing this but your method with the elastic band and shims has left me smiling. Thank you.

[@joepie221]

It works very well.

[@edwardhugus2772]

That was so simple it's stupid! Why in the heck wasn't that obvious to me before? I consider myself to have a fair amount of common sense, but that inside out indicating just never occurred to me! Happy Birthday, sir, and many more.

[@AlphaBobFloridaOverlord]

Two years late, but Happy Birthday Joe! Thanks for the great information!

[@joepie221]

Nah, lets say you're 6 months early. Thanks.

[@quinka2]

Hmmm, after 50 years in tool and die making, I never saw this before Joe, thanks much for this!!!

[@billcooley5527]

You haven't been on long, but you're knock 'em out of the park. This trick is about the 3rd or 4th great idea you've shown. Wonderful!! Thanks!!

[@jlippencott1]

Very clever! Would not have thought of this in a hundred years.

[@joepie221]

It works! And its a lot safer on your indicator. Thanks for watching.

[@andreamodiano]

Grazie Joe, happy birthday. Ottima spiegazione. Perfect Explanation.

[@joepie221]

Thank you

[@grayskwerl4973]

Another great tip. I have just discovered your channel, and am trying to catch up on all this knowledge. Most appreciated. Keep them coming.

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I hope I earn a sub.

[@williamharris1302]

I've been a toolmaker all my life and I still learn things, thanks.

[@joepie221]

There is no doubt in my mind we can all learn from each other.

[@shanel4348]

I never thought about it like this, but this technique is honestly genius, despite being so simple. Thanks a lot! This really helps me on the job.

[@joepie221]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alexvonbosse4563]

Happy Birthday Joe and many, many more! Thanks for all your great videos!!!

[@danbentler9742]

Well now that was intuitively obvious AFTER you demod it. Thank you Dan Bentler Seattle

[@markboudreau1276]

As soon as he started putting the pcs. under the elastic I said oh shit that's a simple way.

[@BobJones-cr1pl]

I need to machine square stock once in a while. This looks like it might be a little trickier on half inch key stock but certainly worth a try. Great tip! Thanks.

[@joepie221]

Get yourself a square 5C collet and forget about 4 jaw chucks for parts that size.

[@rontrautmann1934]

Great tip Joe. Can't wait to try it out.Happy birthday and hope you have many,many more.

[@joepie221]

Thanks Ron.

[@agwhitaker]

Bravo - good tip ! That is what I love this trade, you may have been at it for a while - but the learning curve never really flattens out.

[@remodz6385]

Brilliant Joe! Thanks for another great NEW way to do something. There is always many ways to accomplish something, and everyone's way is always slightly different, so don't worry about if someone has already made a video about a subject. So far, your way of thinking is simple and brilliant. You must have had a great mentor who taught you how to really think outside of the box and keep it simple! Thanks again

[@johnmann8662]

Love your shortcuts. Don't worry about stuff covered elsewhere - there is always another way to do things. Even doing the same thing would be ok with me because I really appreciate your unique way of explaining things.

[@Shift2Movies]

Thanks Joe! Always appreciate your help.

[@poopoopadoo69]

I'm a mill guy - but I'm bringing this right to our lathe guy (who always gripes about how hard it is to indicate the 4-jaw, so I suspect he has no idea about this technique). Watched several of your vids today, and subscribed. Watched this one, and had to comment. How good to hear actual *proper machining procedures* talked about...and how nice that you are willing to share them (with anyone)! Straightforward, real-world, no-nonsense, upbeat...pretty rare traits these days. I'd be very interested in what you think could be done to attract new talent into our field? An important topic, even though it's not quite hands-on machining-based, like the rest of your videos! I expect that you have some very well-thought-out viewpoints. Thanks, Joe! Please keep up the GREAT WORK!

[@leedanner5071]

I am impressed with this little trick. Big fan of your videos. Keep up the good work, and Happy Birthday!

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@jae878]

Happy birthday! I don't comment a lot but I feel the need. Great videos I've watched them all and enjoy them all. You no doubt are a master of your trade and I am thankful that you enjoy sharing it with us. Even if you show the same thing as another channel your ways will differ in some way. "More than one way to skin a cat" Thanks again!!

[@gdglock]

That is a great tip!!!!!! Really!!! All of the old timers I've worked with never did this. Always bounced off the edge or outside flats. I just used your tip on a 2" hex stock, with shims in a 3 jaw. Works great thank you.

[@joepie221]

Excellent. rectangular stock, just do opposing side separately.

[@kostasstamatakos1230]

These tips are truly great sir! Highly appreciated.

[@sp1nrx]

I knew there had to be a better way to center polygons in 4 jaws... Thanks for sharing!

[@jimmilne19]

Fantastic idea, which I have never seen before. I've watched a heck of a lot of YT videos, too. Happy Birthday! and thanks for the birthday presents (the two methods you demonstrated, quite well I might add). Super useful!!! Btw, "thumbs down" mean nothing whatsoever because they are not accompanied by reasons (there often are no reasons, other than, I suspect, mean-spirited, disgruntled attitudes). The comments are certainly your best indicator of how people are reacting to your videos. Keep up the great work. I'm certainly impressed.

[@joepie221]

Thanks Jim. Positive comments like this make it worthwhile.

[@littleworkshopofhorrors2395]

The thumbs down could be by accident, I almost did it to someone that way.

[@alexvonbosse5090]

I don't know how long ago you posted this video, but just the same, Happy belated Birthday! And as always your video was informative! Thanks for sharing and keep up your great work!

[@InfiniteCraftsman]

It’s stuff like this that makes machining so interesting. Thanks

[@Mexmanix]

Great tip Joe; saw this video a couple of months ago, I now have a set of gauge blocks... 5-10-20-30-45* made from offcuts of aluminium, minimal cost & maximum results.

[@paulrjones3]

Thanks Joe, another great tip to use in our shops.

[@DATo_DATonian]

This reminds me of those Sherlock Holmes stories. Once Holmes explains how he came to his conclusion people always think it isn't such a big deal, but they would have never thought of it themselves in a million years. This is an absolutely brilliant and simple approach to solving this problem, but after years in the trade I never thought of it myself. Way to go Joe!!! You've just made me feel like a total idiot, but I thank you for it. ~LOL~

[@bernardreeves5028]

Only recently found your channel Joe, and learned a lot, and this trick is one of the best! Thanks for taking the time to mentor us home shop amateurs, much appreciated.

[@joepie221]

Thanks for the comment. I am glad you liked the trick.

[@shadowdog500]

Great tips! Please keep them coming. I would not worry about duplicating things that others already covered. A new perspective on any topic from someone who is a natural teacher is always welcome. I've had to watch several different videos on the same topic before the light bulb went on. Happy birthday! Mine was last week. Chris

[@horseshoe_nc]

I haven't done any 4 jaw work, yet. When I get the chance, will keep this tip in mind.

[@littleworkshopofhorrors2395]

Happy birthday and that technique is new to me and quite brilliantly simple.

[@jackbonanno8186]

This is one of those smack your forehead moments and say why didn't I ever think of something so brilliant and simple. You are absolutely the quintessential machine wizard.

[@StuHarris60]

Good tip Joe thanks for all your practical help and have a happy birthday.

[@joepie221]

Thank you. Got tickets to the UT game on Saturday as a gift. Good luck to the Horns for a victory !!!

[@touchgo7281]

Happy Birthday!!! And thanks for another great tip...

[@johnstrauch2112]

Just watched and again so much to learn. Many thanks for these tips. Great.

[@bozo28able]

Never seen that done that way before. I like it. I must admit though once you had the first piece under the rubber band a light went on and I knew what you were going to do. Great job keep it up.

[@joepie221]

It's called a projected surface. Very handy. Thanks for watching.

[@OldIronLover]

Happy birthday. Mine's in 5 days. Another great tip. Thanks

[@sverreeriksen1982]

happy birthday Joe, you are a super teacher in meck. mvh sverre eriksen , Norway

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I enjoy when my commenters leave the country name they are from when the comment..

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Keep up the good work with the excellent videos! Don't worry about covering something someone else may have a video on because every person is different and there are many different ways of doing things. That's what makes you unique is that you have your own spin on things and while someone else might not agree with you, that's OK because it works for you. I'm sure I speak for all your viewers when I say thank you for taking the time to prepare these videos and share your vast knowledge with us! p.s. My birthday was Sunday the 18th.

[@cavemansmancave9025]

Ditto Thanks, John

[@joepie221]

Thanks William, and Happy Birthday to you a day late. I'm going to guess by the Harley as your icon, its safe to say, Have a cold one for me. Or maybe 10. thanks for watching.

[@craigtate5930]

Wow very cool, put the idea together as soon as I saw the second piece inserted under the rubber band

[@ckvasnic1]

That's great Joe! Thanks for sharing your time and talents

[@KosmosHorology]

As ever, Joe comes up with THE most lateral-thinking, practical solutions! Thanks a lot! PS what (if anything) is going on in the mind of someone who'd give this a thumbs down?!

[@DoctorJ3kyll]

Wow, never seen that done before, I will try it next time I have some square stock to machine. Thanks for sharing the info.

[@basildouglas855]

Hi Joe, thanks for the tip, excellent move.

[@jameshatfield7634]

I've never tried the shim idea, but i indicate the flats like you first started with.Thanke and happy birthday. One of these days do a video on edge finding with a indicator.On super precision jobs i always use an indicator.

[@edwardswinesburg877]

Another trick you taught me for my hobby of machining.

[@bernhard5741]

Happy belated birthday! Just found your channel, subscribed and watching all your videos. I am a hobbyist/beginner and your videos help a bunch: Great presentation and practical advise! Thank you, Bernhard

[@joepie221]

Thank you. I hope you enjoy the presentations.

[@steamsee]

Awesome tip! You've just changed the way I'll be indicating in future.

[@mrfrog3350]

Great tip Joe.Thanks for posting it!

[@doughibberd1576]

Good tip, Happy birthday and keep the videos coming, I have learnt a lot from the videos posted so far.

[@martineastburn3679]

Happy Birthday and nice tip ! Thank you Joe

[@joepie221]

Thanks 👍