Mill crank thumbwheel from scrap

[craig9]

Hi folks,

My milling machine crank needed a new thumbwheel to make taking it on and off a lot easier.

I just received the perfect offcut of steel to make it with, so watch the video to have a look at how I made it.

I've added a bit of info about using digital calipers, and using an imperial lathe to work in metric, and using balanced cuts to hit a target dimension. Hopefully this is of use.

Cheers,
Craig

[Skun Knuckles]

A very informative and entertaining video. I have always disregarded digital verniers,and other electronic wizardry,now I'm having second thoughts.

[craig9]

Thanks Skun. I resisted electronic measuring tools for way too long. I like reading a vernier, and I still marvel at how the offset markings can allow you to read such a small number so precisely - and there are downsides to digital tools like battery life, and so on - but once I switched to a digital caliper, I don't think I'll go back. I do still keep a good quality vernier in the drawer though, just in case I run out of batteries

Cheers,
Craig