Locating A Corner on a Mill

[Frank S]

Depending on the height I have my mill table cranked to I have always found it easy to locate the corner with either my knee, hip or elbow with very little difficulty

Pretty easy to find all of the movement handles as well, especially in the dark

[DIYer]

Thanks Rick! We've added your Corner Locating Method for a Mill to our
Measuring and Marking category, as well as to your builder page: Rick's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Corner Locating Method for a Mill by Rick Sparber

tags: measurement, edge finder

[wizard69]

I suspect that I suffered in the same manner, always having a hard time in math class concentrating on what was being taught. Part of that was sitting next to with e window (it was always more interesting outside) and part due to abstract ideas with no relation associated with the real world. In a nut shell you combine a bad student with difficulty linking the abstract to the real and you have problems.

Recently I wanted to plot some holes on an archimedes spiral and spent some time relearning (or maybe learning stuff I never really got) a bit of math. What a reward though to actually get results you want after many false starts. While I've yet to apply this to the project I have in the shop, I did the math via a programming language Called Python and plotted the results immediately. I really think that, that plotting helped immensely with understanding the math and getting the right result. The visuals are very important in grasping some of this strange math.

I agree with Marv and Rick. Algebra and Trig are indispensable solutions for converting 'abstract' figures into factual articles. The problem many face stem once again, from removal of vocational electives from public schools. Theory and rote memorization never make the point of utility better than usage in real situations, reinforced by visual results. Math was my biggest adversary in classes, but a breeze in shop! With 45 years machining, and 26 navigating my attention is better than predictions indicated. My solutions tend along with Rick, using different means. I respect Marv's ability to illustrate sophisticated calculations, I'm restricted to smaller bites.
I prefer trig overall for various solutions. I probably use algebraic techniques unknowingly, by reasoning out digits to work with over letters.
But tell algebra this; quit asking us to find your X; she's long gone and not coming back!

[mklotz]

I really think that, that plotting helped immensely with understanding the math and getting the right result. The visuals are very important in grasping some of this strange math.

That's probably why, after arithmetic, geometry is the oldest form of mathematics. It deals with relationships between objects that can be drawn and seen.

Unfortunately, when one gets a bit farther along in math, drawing a picture becomes very difficult. Consider the fact that many infinite series (sum of an infinite number of terms) have finite sums. How do you draw a picture to visualize that?

[Okapi]

Another idea for a centering tool on every angle value.(it's a bad picture but I'm really not a graphist…)

[rgsparber]

Have you tried this out? I'm not sure how it works.

Rick

[mklotz]

In order for it to work the angle to be measured must contact the edges of BOTH slots. A sufficiently obtuse angle will not do that, so I can't see it working on "every angle value". Also, very acute angles will penetrate too far and not contact both slot edges.

[Okapi]

Sorry for my too shorter explanation, it goes on all angles but you need to have multiple widhts, it's not a single universal tool, but each time you need one and make it you can use it on different angles, and often i open more until it's no more usable.
It is not an universal tool as described on the original post, just another way in the same manner to simplify the job.
I try to make a short video for a better explanation.