Using an Edge Finder

Using an edge finder to find a postion of a part on a milling machine.

[@machiningmoments]

In my opinion the problem with the edge finder not kicking out is it may not be running perfectly true. I always check it twice. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@machiningmoments]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for taking the time to post!

[@machiningmoments]

Glad you like it, thanks for stopping by!

[@natesanmohan1337]

Beautiful Explanation Sir.

[@jimmilne19]

Crystal clear. Thank you.

[@BoldUniverse]

Very informative, thank you. I was unsure of how to use an edge finder but now I'm not.

[@mth469]

What if we just use a small diameter drill and try to position it over the edge?

[@machiningmoments]

The edge finder works because it "pops out" when the radius is even with the edge.

[@stanleyrodgers3375]

Very nice edge finder demonstration!

[@chuckthebull]

It seems to me the moment it kicks out is slightly off..when it's stable is the exact in point of center..for it to "kick out" it must be pushed off center..perhaps these are designed to kick out on center but that does not seem logical or intuitive to me.. Of course I have never used one so I might be ignorant to some trick, I think i remember watching people use them and after the kick out they would dial it back to center. Hmm I'll have to look up the manufacturer literature on this to confirm.

[@thetoecutter13]

It's kicking out cause it's riding or rolling across the edge in the direction of rotation, not so much from being pushed past the center of the shaft.

[@sarahnikas1344]

any tips on what to do if the edge finder isn't kicking out no matter how slow you bring it into the edge?

[@machiningmoments]

If you hold your edge finder and touch the end does the end move freely off center? If so it should kick out when running in your machine. Make sure you are not chucking on the part of it that is supposed to move off center. I would run the spindle at about 500RPM. Good luck!

[@sarahnikas1344]

@@machiningmoments When it touches the edge the part that is supposed to kick out is simply totally cylindrical with the body. If I slowly move it further in an attempt to get it to kick out, it moves way off center and now has an edge that physically impedes it's ability to be centered at all (i.e. I went too far.) Perhaps speed has something to do with it? I was running around 1800 RPM.

[@machiningmoments]

Hi Sarah, this has me scratching my head. The end that runs off center is free? You are only chucking on the solid body? The end moves free in your hand, not rusted or burred. I would run it at 500 to 600 RPM (be careful not to run it to fast it will pull apart). With it rotating away from the part give the end a flick with your finger/pencil. it should clearly run off center. Bring the edge of the end slowly to your part it should visually start to turn true. Keep going until it just pops out and you are 1/2 of the end diameter (typically .200") off the edge. If that doesn't work try a second edge finder maybe you have an issue with yours. Good luck.

[@sarahnikas1344]

@@machiningmoments Yep. I did not chuck the part that kicks out. Seems pretty smooth and no rust, it's brand new. I see it visually turn true when it's close but it never pops out. I think it's just a cheap chinese piece of garbage tbh. Ordered a used starrett yesterday and we will see how that does.

[@grassmonster]

@@sarahnikas1344 that right there is the best lesson we can learn in any trades....buy right the first time and don't worry about it. I know iv been guilty of trying to save a few bucks before too. Hope it worked for you.

[@forgamztalkzz8472]

Very useful information..thanks a lot

[@machiningmoments]

Glad to help, thank you.

[@syntax128]

What about length of an off set point?

[@lamtruong8886]

Thanks for the useful video.

[@machiningmoments]

I'm glad you found it useful. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.

[@dizzolve]

strange ....... was there an edit just as you said it kicked out? Looked like the whole bed moved to the right instantly

[@machiningmoments]

Caught me, my editing isn't seamless! No big production crew here!

[@Mikey196601]

Thanks for the info , I just finished surface grinder training at the tool and die shop I work at , Monday starts with spotting on the mill and using an edge finder and I assume squaring up steel on a mill , I assume squaring up steel on a mill couldn't be that much different then on a grinder , after watching this I won't look as green .i have no plans to tell them I watched your video, I'll let them think I'm smart . Seems easy on a digital read out , some our mills don't have that feature so I'll have to find a video that shows how it's done on lesser equipt machines

[@simonp347]

my experience is, if you get it just kicked out, it's actually 1 to 2 thousands off. this can be verify by measuring the actual dimension of the piece and compare the numbers come from digital readout

[@kmbtam]

This is excellent

[@machiningmoments]

Thank you

[@TrevorDennis100]

So three last times? That's confusing. ;-)

[@machiningmoments]

I'm not sure I understand?

[@TrevorDennis100]

@@machiningmoments You reset the DRO zero 'One last time'. Then a wee bit later you reset the DRO zero 'One last time' again, and then you did it again. So three last times.

[@machiningmoments]

Ah yes, a bad habit I have. I try to be conscious of it be as you see it still sneaks past!

[@vpsihop1]

Excellent

[@machiningmoments]

Thank you

[@paulpollaccia1852]

excellent

[@gangleweed]

This is rather a long winded confused way to use an edge finder..........drop the tip (4mm diam) down the full depth of the tip and run it up to the face of the part........edge finder is running out at this point...........as soo as it touched the face it will centralise and run true, then as soon as it kicks out sideways you have your edge which is 2mm from the centre of the 4mm diam tip.

[@machiningmoments]

I may have been accused of being long winded a time or two. :) This video was created for a person with no experience in mind. You obviously are experienced. Thank you for watching and taking the time to leave a message.

[@gangleweed]

@@machiningmoments Well, I liked the dabbing the ball with the sharpie....that's new to me as I've used marking blue in the past on occasion but normally I use just the edge finder that flips sideways.....I have a Wiggler set too.....too lazy to put it together when the other one is available.....I've had a few bruised knuckles from the ball swinging out suddenly. BTW.....using the ball with the marker means you first have to make the ball run dead true then mark it, whereas the flip out one just needs to creep up to the workpiece until it moves sideways.......I think a noob would get results first go with the flip sideways type.

[@stoneyj1a1]

I don't understand the point of this device. What do you need to find the edge for? Can't u see it? (I"m watching without sound)

[@machiningmoments]

The point is to "accurately" set the center of the spindle.

[@stoneyj1a1]

@@machiningmoments Ok, I guess that makes sense

[@pingpongpung]

Use metric FFS.

[@machiningmoments]

25.4

[@UncleKennysPlace]

While I prefer metric, some of the largest engineering and manufacturing companies use inch measurement (such as GE Aviation.)