Machinist Level Access Cover Removal

Calibration adjustments to my machinist level can be made after removing a round-sided access cover. The original access cover was very difficult to remove. I modified the original access cover and made a tool making it much easier to remove the cover. The cover already had a small groove around it’s perimeter that I enlarged to fit a standard 3/32” thick No. 115 O-ring. This provided a snug fit but yet easy to remove. I created a screw-on handle that fits into an existing brass thread insert installed on the face of the original cover. The threaded-end handle also served as a mandrel for holding the cover while machining the larger O-ring groove. The handle was made from 0.250” 2011-T3 aluminum rod and a clamp-type knurling tool produced the knurls. The clamp-type knurling tool is a better choice than the traditional plunge knurling tool when working with small diameter aluminum rod.

Thanks Paul! I've added your Machinist Level Access Cover Removal Tool to our Machining category, as well as to your builder page: Paul Jones' Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="/machinist-level-access-cover-removal-tool"><img src="/uploads/116018/machinist-level-access-cover-removal-tool.jpeg" alt="Machinist Level Access Cover Removal Tool" /></a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="/machinist-level-access-cover-removal-tool">Machinist Level Access Cover Removal Tool</a> <span> by <a href="/builder/Paul+Jones">Paul Jones</a></span> </div> <div class="tags"> tags: <a href="/tag/machining">machining</a>, <a href="/tag/level">level</a>, <a href="/tag/tool">tool</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Great work on that cover! Had me smiling as I read your post. :thumbsup:

Another nice tool Paul. Randy

Thanks Randy. This may sound funny but the first time a tried removing the access cover I really thought it had a retaining spring connected from the inside. It kept snapping back into place each time I tried pulling it off. It finally came off but I decided to fix the problem so I didn't have to deal with the hassle again.