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MWP Spindle Mount for Dial Indicator

Robert Rieke

Project by

Robert Rieke
Los Alamos, NM

General Information

Whether you want to calibrate your Z-axis or verify your table is truly flat, a good high quality dial indicator works wonders. This project will show you how to make a mount for the dial indicator that attaches to the spindle holder.

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Material Description Price
Button Head Cap Screw

Button Head Cap Screw

Length: 25mm, Quantity: 10, Thread Size: M5

$3.49

Flat Washer

Flat Washer

Finish: Black Oxide, Dimensions: I.D: 5.3mm; O.D: 10mm, Quantity: 10

$4.00

Hard Maple

Hard Maple

6" × 12" × 3/4" Hard Maple

Threaded Inserts

Threaded Inserts

Size: M5 Dont use, Quantity: 100 Dont use

This project's Bill of Materials is not complete.

$7.49
from Inventables

1

Modify design in Easel to fit your dial indicator

15 minutes

I designed this to fit my dial indicator mount, you may have to modify the size of the circles in order to fit your specific model.

The cutout is designed to minimize rotation of the dial indicator around the screw, and is composed of both a circle AND a square. Be sure to change the size of the square to match the diameter of the circle.

2

Mount material on X-Carve and carve

30 minutes

Choose the material you want to make this from and mount it on the X-Carve. I made my prototype out of 3/4" MDF, and the final product out of 3/4" maple.

3

Drill larger hole and attach threaded insert

10 minutes

Using a hand drill or drill press, drill the hole on the “right” side (side opposite notch) to 5/8" or 11/16", then screw in the M5 threaded insert.

If you plan on applying a spray finish, you may want to wait to screw in the threaded insert until after the finish is dry.

4

Sand and finish as necessary

15 minutes

I prefer the raw material look, but sand loose fibers and sharp corners and finish as desired.

5

Attach dial indicator, then attach to spindle mount

5 minutes

Using (1) M5x25mm bolt and washer, attach the dial indicator to the mount. Then use (2) M4x30mm bolts and washers to attach the mount to the spindle mount.

Moulton Designs
Hey Robert, are you able to post your file? I'm not quite following how you attach this to the router collet
Moulton Designs