For some time now I have been looking for a Kingway alignment tool to buy but have never been in the right place at the right time. I have spoken with Richard King in the US (who a lot of you will know from his posts on scraping on PM and whose father developed this tool) and he is about to market some new sets he has had made. Cost around $1250 US or so. If the aussie dollar was still near parity I might think about it but at its current level it seems a better idea to make one. Lots of people have made there own version (including RC) so this thread is about getting peoples thoughts before I head off to buy the various pieces needed.
There are really only 5 pieces to the tool so will discuss them individually and everyone can let me know if they have any better ideas. Richard might even give us the benefit of his thoughts seeing as he has made a version of his own and Phil also has something similar and he might want to add his experienced thoughts to the discussion.
The original tool came in a couple of sizes but I plan to make something in between. It is designed to have a 3 points resting on the machine for maximum stability. Two points on the long section that rests on the V or flat surface and the single ball point.
So for the individual pieces. The information here is my summary of the various posts by people who have made there own.
1. The 2 point way rest (it probably has a proper name) I'll machine this out of some hollow bar. Some people have use tool steel which they have hardened but given the amount I will use it I can't see this as being necessary. It will be 8 inches long for maximum stability with OD around 1.5 inches and ID around 1 inch (depending what I have in the scrap hollow bar pile...the exact dimensions are not super critical). It has a 60 degree section removed with the edges touching the V way sides having a slight ?3/32" radius. The middle 6 inches of the outside radius will be recessed as will be the middle section of the sides that contact the V way. This is to create the 2 seating points on the ends. Mounting holes will be drilled and tapped at 150 and 180 degrees as per the pictures.
These photos will show you what I mean
King Way Tube2.jpgKing Way Tube4.jpgKing Way Tool.jpg
2. The ball on the end of the other side will just be a suitable sized ball bearing (around 1 to 1.5 inches) attached by threading it or will silver solder.
3. The connecting rods. This will be some type of thick walled stainless tube of about 20mm from somewhere like Vulcan stainless in Sydney. Will get a price next week and see if they are happy to sell small quantities. Will make up a few lengths for a variety of uses.
4. The right angle connecting clamps. Have not found a good example commercially for these but can make some if needed. If any one knows of a source let me know
5. The leveling vials. These need to be pretty sensitive. It seems 0.0003-0.0005"/FT is recommended. These are available from Geier and Bluhm in the US at around $100 US each. They will need to be placed in a carrier with provision for adjustment. Fine adjustment knobs are available from Thorlabs.
What do people think? Have I missed anything? Any improvements?
IMG_3971.jpgDSCN0767.jpg
20130320_151434 (Custom).jpgAlignment detector.jpgIMG_3651.jpg
There are really only 5 pieces to the tool so will discuss them individually and everyone can let me know if they have any better ideas. Richard might even give us the benefit of his thoughts seeing as he has made a version of his own and Phil also has something similar and he might want to add his experienced thoughts to the discussion.
The original tool came in a couple of sizes but I plan to make something in between. It is designed to have a 3 points resting on the machine for maximum stability. Two points on the long section that rests on the V or flat surface and the single ball point.
So for the individual pieces. The information here is my summary of the various posts by people who have made there own.
1. The 2 point way rest (it probably has a proper name) I'll machine this out of some hollow bar. Some people have use tool steel which they have hardened but given the amount I will use it I can't see this as being necessary. It will be 8 inches long for maximum stability with OD around 1.5 inches and ID around 1 inch (depending what I have in the scrap hollow bar pile...the exact dimensions are not super critical). It has a 60 degree section removed with the edges touching the V way sides having a slight ?3/32" radius. The middle 6 inches of the outside radius will be recessed as will be the middle section of the sides that contact the V way. This is to create the 2 seating points on the ends. Mounting holes will be drilled and tapped at 150 and 180 degrees as per the pictures.
These photos will show you what I mean
King Way Tube2.jpgKing Way Tube4.jpgKing Way Tool.jpg
2. The ball on the end of the other side will just be a suitable sized ball bearing (around 1 to 1.5 inches) attached by threading it or will silver solder.
3. The connecting rods. This will be some type of thick walled stainless tube of about 20mm from somewhere like Vulcan stainless in Sydney. Will get a price next week and see if they are happy to sell small quantities. Will make up a few lengths for a variety of uses.
4. The right angle connecting clamps. Have not found a good example commercially for these but can make some if needed. If any one knows of a source let me know
5. The leveling vials. These need to be pretty sensitive. It seems 0.0003-0.0005"/FT is recommended. These are available from Geier and Bluhm in the US at around $100 US each. They will need to be placed in a carrier with provision for adjustment. Fine adjustment knobs are available from Thorlabs.
What do people think? Have I missed anything? Any improvements?
IMG_3971.jpgDSCN0767.jpg
20130320_151434 (Custom).jpgAlignment detector.jpgIMG_3651.jpg
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