Spuds

[rgsparber]

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.

[kbalch]

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:

Machining Spud by Rick Sparber

tags: machining, magnet, measurement

Machining Spud by Rick Sparber

tags: machining, measurement

[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 Mineau]

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

[rgsparber]

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

[Paul Jones]

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

[kbalch]

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

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

Ken

[rgsparber]

Paul,

I look forward to seeing what you make.

Rick