The Home Machinist!

Wigglers come with a variety of tips.

The only one I know how to use is the straight pointed one. I'll have it chucked in a drill press, spin it and press a ruler up against it until it doesn't wobble (push to far and goes haywire like an edge finder on contact). Then you have a tip which is centered on the spindle.

How do you use the other tips (and are there other ways to use the pointed one)?

For purposes of discussion, call them 1, 2, 3 and 4 from left to right in the following picture:



Steve

The ball and disk points, steady them under power like you did with the sharp one and then soot them up with a match flame. Run it up against your work until a steady bright line appears - you're a half diameter away from the edge.. The bent one is for an indicator.

So you would use that for centering round stock, like with a coax indicator, but not as convenient (the dial will move around the work instead of staying in one place)?

Steve

Steve,

The easiest way to learn (for me) is to watch someone doing it. Go to You Tube and search the machining videos. There are several that show you exactly how to use a wiggler. One gentleman mrpete222 AKA Tubalcain has many videos that are great to watch. He was/is a machine shop instructor and does an excellent job of teaching. Really explains things on a level a person can understand. He is one I highly recommend.

Good Luck,
Terry Miller

I've seen his and I really like them. Didn't see anything on a wiggler,but I'll go back and look.

Steve

Alternately, both will move away from center with the spindle running, when they are in full contact with the edge of the object in question. Allow for half the diameter and you're on the edge.
I have not enjoyed great success in using the offset tip, for mounting a DTI. It's too easy to move the indicator due to low friction on the mounting ball.

Harold

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Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.

You could, but that thing has got to be the worst way of using an indicator.

Use the ball. There's a bit of a trick in that you need to do it two, maybe three times 90 degrees from each other (X and Y). Each time will get you closer to the center of your round stock. The disk is for holes - same process.

For finding edges I prefer the more modern type (two cylinders held by a spring); however I have used the ball and works fine.
I use the needle to pick up a cross line by eye if accuracy is not too important otherwise need to dial in from two edges.
I am releved to see that am not alone in thinking the indicator holder is useless, not only because it can move but the positioning options are quite limited.

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Mauro Gaetano
in Austin TX

I happened to be at a garage sale with machinist tools this weekend and picked up a Starrett set for $10, so for the amount of uses I will get out of it, I think I paid a reasonable price.

Steve

I do as well. I rarely use a wiggler for anything but the point. I've found the reliability and level of precision tends to be better with the cylinder type.

Harold

_________________
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.

What's the best way to line up on the center of a hole?

Would that be the center finder with the point? My understanding of those is that you put the point in the hole and move the X/Y until you can't feel the edges protruding where the conical part meets the straight part?

What would you do if the hole was threaded and the upper edge was not clean and smooth?

Steve

A DTI

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Glenn

Operating machines is perfectly safe......until you forget how dangerous it really is!