Spuds

In the context of machining, a “spud” is a pointed metal rod that is used to locate the center of rotation of a mill at a desired point on the XY plane. This point is usually the intersection of two reference surfaces and both the X and Y axes are zeroed. The spud must be mounted in a collet which requires any cutter to be removed. This article presents two tools that avoid disturbing the cutter.

If you are interested, please see

http://rick.sparber.org/spud.pdf


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.

Thanks Rick! I've added your Machining Spuds to our Machining and Measuring and Marking categories, as well as to your builder page: Rick Sparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/machining-spud"><img src="http://www.homemadetools.net/uploads/119056/machining-spud.jpeg" /></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="http://www.homemadetools.net/machining-spud">Machining Spud</a> <span> by <a href="/builder/Rick+Sparber">Rick Sparber</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/machining">machining</a>, <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/magnet">magnet</a>, <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/measurement">measurement</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/machining-spud-2"><img src="http://www.homemadetools.net/uploads/119060/machining-spud-2.jpeg" /></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="http://www.homemadetools.net/machining-spud-2">Machining Spud</a> <span> by <a href="/builder/Rick+Sparber">Rick Sparber</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/machining">machining</a>, <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/measurement">measurement</a></div> </div> </div> </div>

Hi Rick,
Very clever !
For my understanding, why "spud" ? I had a look into my dictionary and I found : potato ?

Little comment, the last method for touch down with ohm-meter : why did you change the bit in the chuck (I thought the whole interest was not to ?)
Thanks

PS Ken, I can't see the two pictures above.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christophe Mineau

Hi Rick,
Very clever !
For my understanding, why "spud" ? I had a look into my dictionary and I found : potato ?

Little comment, the last method for touch down with ohm-meter : why did you change the bit in the chuck (I thought the whole interest was not to ?)
Thanks

---

Christophe,

I have no idea why a metal rod with a point on it is called a spud. The term is used both for a tool to find center and also by workers to align holes in I beams so a bolt can go through. Crazy English!

The ohm meter was used to check accuracy and is not part of normal use.

Keep up YOUR great work. I enjoy seeing all of your inventions!

Rick

Hi Rick,
This is a great idea and I can use the pointed "spud" tool for my milling work I do with my small Unimat SL 1000. I must first remove the milling cutter or spotting drill to find a new location with a pointed rod and there is never a lot of room to do the tool exchanges. Your spud tool idea is exactly what I needed for work with the Unimat.
Thank you, Paul

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christophe Mineau

PS Ken, I can't see the two pictures above.

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OK, refresh your page and see if the photos are visible now.

Ken

Paul,

I look forward to seeing what you make.

Rick