Composite Master Square Construction

We take a look at some of the methods and tools used to machine, grind and assemble this master square. This is used as a master right angle reference on the surface plate to inspect right angles. Typically used in conjunction with a comparator to determine and quantify perpendicularity. The square is self checking in that if the two reference sides are parallel you can find dead true square by checking both sides with the comparator. This particular square is made from plain carbon steel and will be pack or gas carburized and finish ground. The flexures at the bottom allow minute adjustments to bring the square into exact truth.

[@markmauzey1887]

"A machinist can never leave good enough alone." That's the most accurate quote I've ever heard.

[@jtkilroy]

Amen

[@RGSABloke]

Patience, precision and planning, that's what makes this channel so very interesting. Thanks for sharing young man. Kindest regards. Joe.

[@raincoast2396]

Nothing better than to watch the creation of a precision measurement tool to unobtainium specs!

[@itanc1]

Just skived off what i am supposed to be doing to watch this. Time well spent...clearly. Thanks for the film, truly lovely to watch. thanks

[@barrygerbracht5077]

Love to see you making stuff again (on camera for us to watch). Very enjoyable.

[@ajtrvll]

Additive manufacturing has it's advantages but nothing beats substrative when it comes to viewing pleasure!

[@Max_Marz]

Love the feet, super elegant design. The results from the rough grind really goes to show how big a difference good inspection makes. Knowing the calibration on your plate is like night and day levels of confidence.

[@gordonmelby3473]

Glad to see your smiling face working in your shop again on really neat projects.

[@Clete88]

I've watched Tom's videos long before I bought the machinery for my hobby shop.....Tom, thank you! You are like the king of this type of video. The machining footage is hypnotic and acts like a sedative...I must have been a machinist in a former life.....I can fall asleep watching your vids, no offense.....I just like them....Thanks for doing these.

[@robertschoemer1250]

Enjoy seeing your Hermann Schmidt vise in the video. Got mine from the Hermann himself, in late 60's. He used to go door to door to the machine shops in North Jersey selling direct. I was an apprentice at the time and got to pay off in time. Also bought his vise sine plate, blocks, and angle. Still have everything.

[@Barefoot3us]

Extremly interesting precesion construction of your master square. So interesting how pieces from raw steel can be fabricated into such a high precision square. I'm looking forward to the final work after the heat treat. Tom, Thank you for sharing.

[@NuclearHedgehog]

Good looking project. The welded construction is a huge benefit as making/getting a casting as base for such project is usually beyond the resources of us home gamers.

[@davidhoekje7842]

That's the nicest and cleanest welding table I've ever seen

[@georgedennison3338]

I just watched the LB lab tour video with John Saunders this morning, so when I saw 'composite', I was thinking glues, plastics, layers, you know, composites. When you were working on the lightening holes, I would have swore you were milling a composite material. I began to doubt that, when it 'clunked' on the vise, just a little, as you sat it down. Sounded like steel, then I started thinking, why would he need to lighten composite, THAT is why they are used, composites are already light. It was the grinding that confirmed my confusion. When you said composite, you meant multiple part... Ah well, it's been one of those days. My morning got interrupted for about 3 hours when a dare devil squirrel was immolated by a tranformer, which then exploded, knocking out power. My day never recovered... Guess I need to go back, and look at the first milling sequence, to see what I thought I was seeing... Thanks for sharing... still blown away by where you get to work. GeoD

[@stephenwagar2663]

Dear Mr. Wizzard I am so GLAD Your Back ! GREAT VID as usual .Greetings From New Mexico.

[@MrDexter9i3]

It is very impressive to see how aggressively those professional machines go through material

[@grahamsengineering.2532]

Very nice indeed. Food for thought as a Master Square is quite expensive especially here in Australia. Just to have a nice reference tool like that for the small workshop would be so handy. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[@TomZelickman]

For all of the CNC work that I do I still get a ton of enjoyment watching things done by hand like this. Well done, sir. Hope you are doing great! Tom Z

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Love the new 1 2 3 blocks too. thanks for sharing. Very well done.

[@joshmellon390]

I'm finally buying my mini lathe tomorrow after many years of wanting it lol. I cannot wait to make some chips!

[@patricksullivan9951]

Well Tom, just laying here after back surgery, the mind is feeling hungry, and look, Meatloaf! Just what I was hungry for, Yumm! The project is looking good, looking forward to the next installment. Nice trick on the adjustable little feet. Meanwhile, I'm rooting the refrigerator, looking for meatloaf & such I missed, a good way to spend on your back time! Thanks!!

[@geckoproductions4128]

REALLY cool video. I've been learning from you and adam and mrpete for awhile now, but still a little bit the newb. it took me awhile to figure out your adjustment legs. I eventually figured it out, and allI have to say is BRILLIANT! Very elegant design. Thanks for sharing.

[@augustoruzo2791]

Beautiful work, thanks for sharing. I love your videos!

[@davidmotoman4956]

Love watching the master at work Tom, Carn't wait for part two :) cheers mate

[@MrShobar]

Excellent work, Tom. Many thanks.

[@user990077]

Was good to see you get well grounded in your task at hand...

[@geowhyrock]

I notice your square check indicator. I like how heavy duty it is, using a big dial drop indicator instead of the smaller interapid that I use. I will be making one soon. Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@colinfitzgerald2359]

Like the Isle of Man sticker on your welding mask

[@Luaz969m]

Классная работа. Почти как у ДМ! Мечики у Вас очень хорошие. Жаль у нас таких не делают. Успехов Вам!!!

[@daveyjones2010]

You do amazing work! Love the channel.

[@RobB_VK6ES]

Unusual method of construction. Many variables added to the long term stability equation. I guess the proof will be in the eating

[@Javierm0n0]

really love the choice to use a truss design in there.

[@markmuller2320]

Loving the TT sticker! Greetings from the Isle of Man :)

[@0num4]

This is hypnotizing. Thanks for sharing!

[@gritz1701]

Good video, great advice. Note: did not realize that Shasta made a good lubricant, lol. Thank you!

[@howder1951]

Always super interesting Tom, enjoying this series I am!

[@peterspence8759]

I envy that bat cave of yours Tom! All those wonderful toys -the surface grinder I would die for mate. Keep the loaf coming buddy.

[@somebodyelse6673]

Good stuff! I'm really looking forward to the results of heat treat, not enough about that whole field on the net. Thanks, mate!

[@duesing6]

Love this video, watched it a few times now.

[@andymandyandsheba4571]

enjoyed cant wait to see the finished piece

[@nowayjerk8064]

MAN TOM ID VISIT THAT BAND SAW SO MUCH IF I LIVED CLOSE LOVE IT !!!!! thanks for sharing

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Looking good so far. I bet you get it to 1 millionth or some other almost unobtainable accuracy. Ahl be baak for the next part. (I am still an Arnold fan).

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

You got to separate Arnold the man from Arnold the actor, two different people.

[@robertdalimata1349]

Nice trick with the rubber bands!

[@jacobrush1184]

Oh! Nice Plexiglas pry-bar. I'm stealing that idea :)

[@oxtoolco]

Hah, You spotted that! Cheers, Tom

[@stargatefred]

Outstanding project Tom. Bill from Seattle.

[@billdlv]

Looks good Tom, will be interesting to see the movement after heat treat.

[@petek210]

Tom Lipton and Stefan Gotteswinter star in: "The World's Most Accurate Fidget Spinner Showdown"! No plans, just mano-a-mano for run-out and rotation time. What a showdown that would be!

[@joshmyer9]

Poncho likes bacon With robrenz quietly smiling in the background for some reason…

[@petek210]

If Robin wants to join in it's open to all comers. This Old Tony, Mr. Crispin, Joe Pie, let's have a pissing contest!

[@SteveSummers]

I have never forgotten the ground clamp 😉

[@SierraLimaOscar]

Yeah!!! Me too. Almost never!

[@etheroar6312]

When working in an extremely noisy shop years ago, I forgot to turn on the welder. At least it wasn't on video.

[@Opinionator52]

15,430 views/witnesses ;o) O,,,

[@vincerodriguez209]

Ive been welding for 31 years.. holding 5 thou tollerances on stainless..and I forget aLL THE TIME..YOURE EITHER THE BIGGEST LIAR OR THE BEST GROUND GUY TO WALK THE EARTH..BUT i DOUBT EITHER IF YOU NEVER MAke mistakes

[@staticivi]

And then think, he could have easily edited that out, but he didn’t Says something with just that, does it not?

[@wlogue]

Hey! Yer draggin that file backwards again lol. Thanks for the vid Tom. Im on the lookout for a surface grinder!

[@randomdude1786]

that round cylinder square looks a lot like one of mine that I made on the lathe. pretty handy using a black granite tile I got at home depot was flat' latest sweep not so much. there's still a corner that leads to the middle but hey found my squarest square demonstrate some fleemarket find squares for bet you'll find some old rusty one's that'll blow your mind thanks tom got one of those huntsman mig welders just love that helmet always be my favorite

[@niltonpolydoro1]

Very nice video. Congratulations !

[@djberg3483]

Man Tom that was a HUGE cut on that one side edge, hell even .003" is deep on my t&p, but i'm grinding dry for the moment, gotta weld up a pvc wier tank for coolant. Got all the stuff, just lack the time. Ps. Thanks for getting back to the vids!

[@oxtoolco]

With small step overs it works fine. You can take even more than that safely. Just think like a centerless grinder. Cheers, Tom

[@1962mrmongoman]

a master of chip control.... I love it

[@bcbloc02]

I am likeing Toms Truss Square.

[@oxtoolco]

That is a better name than composite. Its a nod to the Pratt Whitney truss design level and snap gages. Look them up as they are pretty cool looking. Best, Tom

[@bexpi7100]

Tom's Truly True Truss Square?

[@richardcox3485]

Never forgot the ground clamp but have had it jump off a couple of times, frustrating as hell. Nice looking piece of tooling Tom..

[@seveNGus]

Can we get the sequel video sir? I would like to see how that finishes :)

[@johnptc]

great... always a pleasure to watch

[@simonp347]

Man, I just started building the 123 block, now you are showing something else?! Great video as always though.

[@7333-e3k]

You didn't need to flip the vice around to mill those triangles. Simply flip the part in the vice around the spindle axis and those angles are now on the Y axis as they were before.

[@EmmaRitson]

first comment! thanks Tom, really appreciate the opportunity to learn that these videos present.

[@oxtoolco]

Hey Emma, Thanks for stopping by! All the best, Tom

[@sid1977]

Tom, you should have age (old) the part after welding. It can be distorted, bent with time. Aging can be speed up by placing in fire, and then slow cool down

[@edgeofeternity101]

I enjoy your videos. A suggestion for a name, Slide Form, or Tap Form, kinda obvious but simple and easy to live with.

[@mattcurry29]

Great project Tom. Matt C.

[@FirstIrishKing]

Good video, Mr. Ox.

[@HH-Machining]

Waiting for the heat treatment! Greetings from Finland!

[@SKMETALGR]

Great job !!!

[@LoderMike]

You are very clever and deserve a lot of biscuits

[@solution7793]

My bet on how much it will have moved after heat treat is .011" Very nice work Tom.

[@jmwarden1]

Tom, that master square is looking real good so far, It'l be interesting to see how it fare's after heat treat.

[@outsidescrewball]

Enjoyed!

[@plasmahead2]

LoL Yay I'm not the only one who forgets the ground clamp!

[@1jtolvey]

GREAT VIDEO !!

[@QuadDoc]

We have a drinking game where we drink every time you say "Uhhhhhhm" Lol We were drunk 2 minutes in!!!! Hahaha ;)

[@rickshoop2063]

Something from the woodworking machinery world.... a 1/8NPT thread would allow the use of a headless pipe plug that has a nice shallow taper to it. Would make getting the gnat's hair adjusted out.

[@InverJaze]

Forgot about earth clamp, lots of times. I'm wondering what's happening to the printing press? Thanks Tom.

[@АлексейАбрамов-у6ю]

спасибо за видео! лайк за труды

[@Ken-nv2hl]

Whoa are you welding on 1.5" ground stock plate?!! You get to play with all of the toys

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Kenny. Its actually two inches thick. I had the rough stock plate of my welding table blanchard ground. It was actually pretty cheap at $500 and free delivery. Cheers. Tom

[@t.d.mich.7064]

When ever I made weldments, they were always stress relieved first for stability, then Heat Treated for hardness and then drawn back.

[@ROBRENZ]

Looking good Tom! Have you considered grinding/turning a very shallow taper on the head of a SHCS for your adjustment screws for better resolution and shock stability instead of the steep flat head angle? Thanks again for all your support! ATB, Robin

[@oxtoolco]

Hey Robin. You are probably right it would be better to have a steeper angle. I built one flexure before hand and tested it to see how well it behaved. It took considerable force to move the foot and seemed controllable so I decided I would trade fastener tension for resolution in this case. The goal is to lap the feet accurately but have an adjustable back door if needed. All the best, Tom

[@vincerodriguez209]

robrenz.....sir...the internet isnt the same without constant videos from you..I sure wish youd either stop making videos aLL TOGETHER SO WE SO SIT AND WAIT.,.,OR MAke some videos....youre missed ir!!

[@hammergee3345]

beautiful

[@openmast7730]

My friend take me to paradise! 😉😁

[@63256325N]

Wasn't there a Police song called perpendicularity? No wait, I got that wrong... it's synchronicity....thanks for the video. Hell, I forgot to mention what a great job you did. Sorry.

[@minproceng1218]

Could you have made some lighting cuts on the sides of the tube that have the plates added? I see the benefits of grinding those sides flat, but it seems to me that leaving only a few "bars" of material across the face and ribs along the sides for welding would be sufficient and there would be more weight removed. Interesting project anyway.

[@ls2011schorsch]

Damn that was impressiv :)

[@maxheadflow]

I assume that the heat treat would stress relieve the block some.. Not sure of that's correct. Would it have been a good idea to heat the whole part to stress relieve before doing the rough grinding before heat treat? I like the setup for milling out the triangles.. I assume that they were mainly for looks. If going for weight I would think you could mill rectangles in the flat sides that mate the plates before welding.. I look forward to seeing this project finished. Thanks for the video..

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Max, The neat thing about case hardening is you get both qualities in one part. A hard tough exterior and a soft ductile core. We will see about long term stability I guess. Easy enough to monitor. Mass and weight are you friends when it comes to stuff like this. Its the old if its heavy it must be quality and precise...... Cheers, Tom

[@machineshopatthebottomofth3213]

Chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outside like an armadillo or a dime bar! Maybe that joke only works in Europe?

[@maxheadflow]

Thanks, I understand the case hardening process.. I'm was curious about the project changing shape since it's manly all cold rolled steel. I know that machining will also allow the material to distort.. Guy Lautard mentioned it in one of his bedside reader books. As I understand the heat treat process. The metal is heated to a point that allows carbon to be introduced into the surface making the surface harder..Still have a can of Kasenit around here someplace. I'm thinking that at that temp any stress due to the cold rolling of the base pieces would be relieved causing the part to shift. Also the welding would create more stress in the part. I was wondering if it would have been a good idea to stress relieve the part before initial finishing and heat treat.

[@peteferguson7024]

Can you elaborate on your choice to use 4 flexures instead of three? I know you can get something to sit on four points but it's much easier to use three, no? Also, caught the lexan pinch bar for the mag chuck ... NICE! Thanks for the video.

[@oxtoolco]

For squarish bases four points is more stable. The Hermann Schmidt has four lapped feet on it for this reason. Its over constrained but more stable in this situation. Three flexures would have been awkward with this design so I opted for symmetry. Cheers, Tom

[@JaakkoF]

I'm just wondering why not do a stress-relief heat treatment after welding to remove the welding stresses and the material stresses. That way it doesn't move pretty much at all in hardening or if it moves much, then the heat treater is to blame.

[@R.E.HILL_]

Nice one. A follow up, anytime soon?

[@karlchwe9644]

Fantastic video. Fascinating. Do you use the file wrong at 1:50? I had this idea that you're only supposed to move the file along its length, not side to side.

[@Alientraveler003]

Them few tools will run a average joe a nice penny ,, nice job

[@kimber1958]

I love it

[@itsmebernie]

I LOVE this video (and all of yours Tom!) .. I am sorry if I am missing something- is there a follow up video to this, inspecting after getting it back from heat-treat and finish grinding etc? I would love to know what happens from here! Thank you

[@ОлегХвалёв]

Ничего не понял, но выглядит фантастично !!!

[@Hardturnin]

I notice you used a hammer with non metal faces (soft) I use a small copper hammer that does not take much to move. I did buy a hammer like you used also an liked them fine. I do want a nice shot loaded Numpla to use since my big Orange hammer busted out the faces after years of service. Your hammer interest and choices are fun to see. Is there a video where you discuss the differences and why? I can get one to send you for a gift I bet you do not have or may even never seen. Regards, Lew

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Lou. I do have a shot loaded Nupla somewhere in the rack. The one on camera is a LIxie and is also shot filled. I prefer wood handles on my hammers. I seem to recall the Nupla has a plastic handle. I have not done a video on dead blow hammers. Might be a good one. Cheers, Tom

[@OldIronShops]

Tom where do you get your heat treatment done ? I have some small iron surface plates I want to have stabilized. Cast local here in California to.

[@daveticehurst4191]

Tom, just watched the video again and have a further question / observation about you using the Sine Bar. I take it that you were just using it to clock along and NOT to set an accurate angle. You had one roller touching the Gauge Blocks against the fixed jaw of the vice, but you had the other roller of the Sine Bar hanging off the end of the vice, therefore voiding any accurate setup by not using the 5 inch centers of the rollers. Or have I missed something I do not know about using a sine bar. I have always understood and used the bottom of the 2 rollers, the calculations of the roller centers and Slip Gauges to obtain the angle you need.

[@oxtoolco]

Hi Dave, You need to clean your glasses and slide up a little closer to the screen. The real roll is in contact with the vice jaw. Cheers, Tom

[@daveticehurst4191]

Hi Tom, thanks for the reply, I have put on reading glasses and zoomed in on the shot. Somehow it must either be the camera angle / reflection / optical illusion or lighting as it still looks as though the left hand roller is hanging off the vice and the Sine Bar body is touching the fixed jaw. Anyway you say all is fine so I will believe you this time around.

[@robbob601]

I know this is old This was sent for heat treatment? What kind of steel was this? The base (1st part) looked like 2x2 1/4 hot rolled? The sides might be tool steel but look like plate?

[@IamTills]

Did a follow up video ever get made? The heat treat and final finishing?

[@hmshopfix6283]

Tom, Wonderful work. My dad used to use the surface grinder but he always placed the item to be ground at an angle versus taking one lone pass on the total length. His theory was that a shorter pass under the grinding wheel did not heat the part up as much as a "diagonal" pass would.Your thoughts? Eric

[@oxtoolco]

How are you going to grind something the length of your travel at an angle? Fine for small stuff but you have to learn to control heat and distortion anyway. Lots of ground features need to be aligned with the machine travel so there is no escaping having things square with the world.

[@hmshopfix6283]

Tom, Yes you are right for small stuff like parallels. Thank you! Eric

[@byronwatkins2565]

I'm the kind of guy who does stop and think about it. Who goes for coffee and thinks about it some more. And STILL takes it out of the vice with a few features needing machined...