Tom: I think I understand the theory behind what you've done here, but I'm a little confused about cutting the dowel. If I understand how this looks, there have to be two right-angle cuts, near the ends of the dowel, is that right? Or, how were you able to cut this dowel with a table saw without cutting all the way and then flattening the ends as well as the middle part of the dowl. Also, you said you clamped both ends. I have a cheap table saw, and if I were to clamp a piece of wood to the table, I wouldn't be able to slide it the way I think you'd need to do to get a flattened dowel. Did you do this say, by lowering the table over the blade? Thanks for any illumination.
Bill Stephan Kansas Citty MO Email: [email protected] Phone: (816)803-2469 ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Vos <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:31 am Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device > Here you go, with a couple additions. > There may be something like this on the market, but I like to make > my own > when I can. > I took a piece of half inch pvc, and a half inch dowel that will fit > inside.. The dowel is about an inch longer than the pvc. > You will want a dowel that fits inside the pvc without too much > wobble, but > it also has to slide freely. > I cut about half of one side of the dowel -- off the long side, > not the > ends, > except for about an inch on each end. > I put clamps on each end of the dowel to hold it firm without > getting my > fingers too close to the table saw blade. You could also drill > holes in > matching blocks, insert the dowel with a wedge or screw to hold it > firmly,.Then I ran it sideways across the table saw blade, till I > had a flat surface > for most of the length of the dowel. > So I had a dowel full round for one inch on each end, and about > half a dowel > between, for most of the length. > Then I drilled a hold near the end of the pvc, and put a small > bolt through > the hole, and threaded it into a nut inside the pvc, > The nut fits on the flat side of the dowel, allowing it to slide > in and out. > The full round of the dowel on each end keeps the dowel from > falling out, or > going too far in. > Now the dowel can slide in and out, but when I tighten the bolt to > fingertightness, it holds the dowel in position. I can use this > for measuring a > distance and transferring that measurement to my table saw, or > wherever I > need it. > I put a one inch piece of pvc on the one inch end of the dowel > that sticks > out, just for balance and looks > Now you are not limited to any set distance, and have an infinite > variationin measurements. > This works very well for inside as well as outside measurements. > I plan to make a couple more of different sizes. > > Blessings, > > Tom > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]]on Behalf Of Alan & Terrie > Robbins Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:08 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device > > > > Tom > > When you answer this, could I ask to include the original post > as well as > I > have misplaced and would also like to make one. > > Al > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]]on Behalf Of Tom Hodges > Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:48 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device > > Can you also tell me what diameter bolt you used? I'm going to > make one of > these, this weekend. > > What do you call this device. I've heard someone refer to > devices like > this > as a story stick, but a story stick is a completely different think. > > Thanks again, Tom > > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tom Vos > Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:19 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device > > If the bolt stays threaded into the nut, it stays in place. > There is space for the flat side of the dowel to move past the > nut When > the > bolt is loose, > but the bolt is still in the nut, allowing the dowel to slide. > When the bolt is finger tight, it is against the flat side of > the dowel, > holding it firmly in place. > This device allows for infinitely small adjustments, and is not > limited to > clicks or stops. > It is faster than spinning a nut down a threaded rod. > And it took me less than an hour to make. > Blessings, > Tom > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> > > [mailto:[email protected] > <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> ]On Behalf Of jim > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:19 PM > To: [email protected] > <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> Subject: Re: > [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device > > hi tom i love this and will be making one soon. > how did you get the nut to stay in the pvc? > jim > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >
