My gold standard are the dials on my Craftsman/Atlas lathe. My guess is
those scribed lines are around 0.002" wide and the numbers are all perfect.
It was build around 1964 so probably done with a machine. Not much CNC back
then.
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Andrew
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 9:11 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: etching the OD of a cylinder to create a
graduated dial
This picture is certainly helpful, but does raise some questions. I notice
some waviness in the outlines, but I am guessing that may have been
intentional? For a machine tool dial, anything less than narrow, crisp,
straight lines will reduce its usefulness. Normally when I make a dial or
something similar, the width of the line I cut in the metal is in the
vicinity of .001" to .002" -- just a slice made with a sharp tool. I have
doubts about the feasibility of producing consistent, clearly visible lines
of that width by etching around a pattern (leaving the lines embossed) as
Rick is proposing to do.
Again, half the fun of inventing is proving the doubters wrong! I look
forward to seeing what Rick will come up with.
those scribed lines are around 0.002" wide and the numbers are all perfect.
It was build around 1964 so probably done with a machine. Not much CNC back
then.
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Andrew
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 9:11 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: etching the OD of a cylinder to create a
graduated dial
This picture is certainly helpful, but does raise some questions. I notice
some waviness in the outlines, but I am guessing that may have been
intentional? For a machine tool dial, anything less than narrow, crisp,
straight lines will reduce its usefulness. Normally when I make a dial or
something similar, the width of the line I cut in the metal is in the
vicinity of .001" to .002" -- just a slice made with a sharp tool. I have
doubts about the feasibility of producing consistent, clearly visible lines
of that width by etching around a pattern (leaving the lines embossed) as
Rick is proposing to do.
Again, half the fun of inventing is proving the doubters wrong! I look
forward to seeing what Rick will come up with.