Toolpost Dial Indicator Part 1: Modeling the Indicator

Today I'm starting on a new project to build a dial indicator holder for my lathe toolpost. The plan is to 3D model and CNC mill a holder for a pair of indicators, but in order to design it, I'll need an accurate 3D model of the indicator I plan to use.
Today, I'll show how to use a surface plate, height gage, calipers and other tools to accurately measure and model a 3D object so it can be included in a CAD design.
If you're following along at home or doing something similar, here are links to the tools used in this video:
*This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Aventor 8" DPS IP54 Caliper (Amazon*): amzn.to/2SjOuj9
Shars 8" Dial Height Gauge (eBay*): goo.gl/2L6omY
HHIP 1/4" Small Dial Indicator (Amazon*): amzn.to/2BFIDO1

[@kylebracht]

I agree. That Fusion follow along was great. Fusion is so intimidating but you calling out your keyboard commands and why you did it was easy to understand

[@DavidHerscher]

My brain was literally exploding through this entire video.

[@Slammed501911]

I now have a sudden urge to grab tools from the shop and start modeling them. Your videos are super informative and very well organized, explained and edited. Thank you for the content, it has definitely been helping my skills.

[@thomo421]

Thank you for making this video, its so good to be able to learn fusion and the different ways people make equipment

[@InebriatedEngineer]

You make it look so easy. 🍻

[@bostondan77]

In my opinion, your Fusion 360 videos are unmatched on youtube. Thanks for the video and have a great Christmas.

[@Clough42]

Thank you. You have a great Christmas, too. It always surprises me which videos are popular. Sometimes I work hard on something I think is great and the response is lukewarm. Other times I film something just because I was in the shop doing it anyway and it gets a lot of love.

[@markfletcher6511]

As always I have enjoyed your presentation style coupled with your selfless sharing of the tips and techniques in using fusion 360. I do not have a mill nor a lathe, but I am collecting the parts to make the ELS project in preparation for a future acquisition. Between you, Quin Dunky, and Joe Pieczynski, I get to see a wonderful array of methods to approach a challenge. Keep up to good work. Please know that I am a huge fan of your patient style of presenting.

[@jameshicks6753]

Thanks for using your CAD I have been interested how it handles. I go back to Adocad when it was DOS base, also done CADKEY, Google Sketch, and some odds and ends. This one seems parity straight forward. Thanks

[@MrPatdeeee]

Outstanding! It would be hard to beat what you did. Thanks

[@Clough42]

Thank you.

[@appahman]

excellent tutorial! keep em coming!

[@Clough42]

Thanks!

[@3dmakerzone75]

Great video. I really enjoy the F360 modeling exercise.

[@Clough42]

Glad you enjoyed it. It's one of my favorite parts of the project.

[@alanjackson4397]

You make it look easy

[@dineshvyas]

1/13 yard stock and only few yards run out. Great inch inch project.

[@twobob]

Rock hands ... but... I would have given you hands of metalicore if you'd snuck in the shot of the meter, a hand, and a custom joint with the front extension ;) hehe Nah awesome as always and probably the best sweep example I've ever seen

[@allnicksweretaken]

I also over model my proxies in Fusion all the time. :) Why? Because it’s fun, might learn something, looks nicer, more satisfactory and I’m usually not that pressed for time. Also, I have watched all but a handful of your videos. Keep the good content coming! :)

[@jlippencott1]

There is a much faster and less tedious way of measuring hole center distances with a caliper. First measure one hole and set your caliper to zero at that measurement. Then measure the distance from one hole to the other on their outsides (furthest point). This process automatically subtracts one hole's diameter and gives you your center to center measurement. One caveat is that both holes need to be identical in diameter.

[@BIGWIGGLE223]

Does anyone else get a Jerry Seinfeld kinda vibe from the intro music?? Lmao!! I keep waiting for the intro music to end and cut to Clough42 standing on a stage in the classic apron telling machining jokes. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheSpud1129]

that or "the office" - I could see him in that as well....

[@thisnicklldo]

Very nice. Are we still on the road to scraping the base of the scribe holder, or are we on a holiday trip?

[@Clough42]

Yes. Getting a little distracted by other projects. Excuse 1: The scraper is done, but I need the diamond grinder to sharpen it (need is a squishy thing). The keyway was for the grinder. Now I need to build the platen, which will involve putting the hub back in the 4-jaw. I've always wanted an indicator holder, and the best time to make that is probably before the project where I want to use it, so here we are. Excuse 2: It's also very cold in my shop this time of year. I have a heater, but I turn it off to preserve the audio quality for you. The cold didn't bother me that much last year, but losing 77 pounds has changed that considerably, so projects that involve more time inside at the computer are welcome. Excuse 3: I have a whole bunch of other projects that came up unexpectedly. I briefly considered and then decided against making videos of me replacing an engine mount in my car, fixing a toilet, rebuilding a server that keeps powering off, debugging my ESP8266 weather station, etc.

[@FreemanPascal]

Interseting, while drawing it looks like you have a natral inclination to draw half a shape and revolve like you do in CAD.

[@robindriscoll]

Fantastic!!!! I am wondering if you forgot to move your back plate down to be in contact with the new recess in your indicator body. Your overall measurements would have accounted for its position correctly so it is probably not necessary. Great video!! You do wonderful work!

[@Clough42]

Thanks! The overall dimension had the back in the right place spatially. When I sliced it off to the correct thickness, this left the indicator body at the level of the bottom of the recess. Then I built the ridge back up around the edge of the indicator body. At least that's what I was trying to do.

[@robindriscoll]

Great demonstration. I hope I didn't appear overly "over-seeing". I think I just missed the ridge joining ... but, you know ... you illustrated great measuring and drawing techniques that will be very helpful for people to learn. Please keep up the good work!!

[@Clough42]

No problem at all. I enjoy the conversation. If it turns out I just didn't explain something well enough, I learn something. And it I made a mistake and someone catches it, I learn something. It's win-win.

[@robindriscoll]

@@Clough42 😀

[@sunside79334]

very nice skill on the modelling. may i ask how much for the license of fusion 360, i'm coming from MDT and consider to upgrade to a leaner program with similar features on 3D modelling? this one looks great and fitting for my needs.

[@Litruv]

It's actually free for companies not making more than $200k (since last time I looked)

[@MaxPower_Designs]

@22:42 is the plunger cylinder dimensioned from the top face or the bevel, it looks from the bevel but it might just be a perspective since the view isn’t dead on the right side judging from the view cube?

[@charles1379]

I see that as well

[@StevePrior]

By the end of watching this video I ordered a height gauge.

[@cannaroe1213]

Now model it! :D ..wait

[@ReevansElectro]

Why work in the British Engineering System when it would be so much easier to work in a rational system like the world standard of metric?