Micrometer repair

   / Micrometer repair #1  

sandman2234

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Not sure where this post should go, but thought it might get found here, if anyone did a search for it.

I posted on the Practical Machinist board a while back, if anyone was having problems with a regular 1" or 1/2" micrometer, that I was reasonably good at repairing them. I did it for a while while in the employ of a wire company where everyone used them, and they had to be constantly repaired because people would drop them, leave them in their sweaty pockets, use them as hammers or C-clamps, etc. I was told a guy went to Personel to get a new mic to replace his "broken" one, and they didn't have any new ones available. All she had was broken ones that had been replaced, after being run thru the department I worked in. I went and got the box of broken mic's and out of the 80 or so mic's that had been declared "unrepairable" and replaced with new, I was able to repair all but a few. Out of that few, I some were just deemed "donor mic's" which I used as parts for the others.
Anyway, somebody contacted me on the PM board about advice on repairing a mic, and I missed the message for almost 2 months. When I finally saw the message, I sent a reply and then called him, and advised him how to fix his own mic. Also told him if he had a problem fixing it, just send it to me and I would fix it when I got time, and would send it back (at his expense).
Micrometers aren't rocket science, and I enjoy working on the smaller ones so if anyone has a problem with one and needs some help, don't hesitate to give me a shout.
Hopefully this won't turn into a commercial endeavor, just trying to do a few favors for the board members.
David from jax
 
   / Micrometer repair #2  
Only micrometers or do you fix vernier calipers too?
 
   / Micrometer repair
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Only micrometers or do you fix vernier calipers too?

Sorry, just mic's... and I am limited that to the ones that close down to the anvil, not all of them. Just too much headache to tackle the whole worlds problems...lol
David from jax
 
   / Micrometer repair
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Sounds good. How do you verify accuracy upon repair/reassembly?

With the mic's I am offering to handle, it really isn't a problem. I have the gauge blocks to check the range thru out. That is one reason I limited it to O-1" micrometers, is simply the hassle to check it's accuracy. 0-1" is easy.
Just for the record, althought I am willing to repair (within reason) any 0-1" mic for nothing, I do not plan on certifying it to meet the standards of micrometer measuring. Way too much trouble to do that, even if I was able to (which I am not set up to do).
What is expected is the typical mic that non machinist has laying around that has gotten rusty or somebody messed with it, took it apart and it won't go back together type of scenerios. Most machinist that I know, already know how to do most of what I do, just because it isn't rocket science, if that makes sense. (not refusing to help with a "machinist owned mic, don't get that part wrong)
If you have a mic that has been sitting in your toolbox for years and you want it to work, or if it reads something other than zero when closed, lets take a look at it. If you bent the frame, arc welded the spindle while using it for a clamp, we can look, but it probably won't be worth the shipping.
For free, I don't offer any guaruntees but i have been known to fix a mic or two before, and I enjoy the challenge, so if it doesn't work right, what is the loss to take a look at it?
Or just call me crazy, lol...
David from jax
 
   / Micrometer repair #7  
I know you only repair 0-1", but I was given a 4-5" that is a little rusty. I took it apart and cleaned it, but it still won't spin right. Kind of draggy. I Have the standards, and know how to adjust to 0. Just haven't been able to get it smooth. Any suggestions?
 
   / Micrometer repair
  • Thread Starter
#8  
I know you only repair 0-1", but I was given a 4-5" that is a little rusty. I took it apart and cleaned it, but it still won't spin right. Kind of draggy. I Have the standards, and know how to adjust to 0. Just haven't been able to get it smooth. Any suggestions?
Collar too tight on the barrel threads? Really hard to tell without seeing it, but that would be my first guess. A lot of people tighten that up, and it really shouldnt be. Once that collar is overtightened, it makes it a pain to ever get it to loosen up. (you didn't say what kind, so all of this is an assumption)
David from jax
 

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