FAQs

What are the holes used for on 1 x 2 x 3 blocks?
What does the Rockwell Hardness scale mean?
How do you use a ROK-IT Gage?
How do you measure surface finish?
What are surface roughness comparator plates?
How do you properly guard a Lathe?
How do you properly guard a Vertical Bandsaw?
How do you properly guard a Drill Press?
 

What are the holes used for on 1x2x3 blocks?

These blocks are generally used for set-up. For example, they are useful for setting a work piece up off the table so that you can drill thru it. You can also screw two together to make an angle plate (as long as they have the corresponding threaded and through hole), they're square and can be used as a square.

You can secure your work with a clamping kit directly into the threaded holes. You can use your clamps to pass through the block, to secure your work, and then toss it in a vise for odd shapes that would normally not line up with t slots. You can secure your work with the threaded holes, and then pass though the unthreaded holes to secure your work and block to the t slots for milling. This also applies to 2x4x6 blocks.

 

What does the Rockwell Hardness Scale Mean?

The Rockwell Scale is a hardness scale based on indentation hardness of a material. The Rockwell test determines the hardness by measuring the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load compared to the penetration made by a preload. There are different scales, denoted by a single letter, that use different loads or indenters. The result is a dimensionless number noted as HRA, where A is the scale letter.

When testing metals, indentation hardness correlates linearly with tensile strength. This important relation permits economically important nondestructive testing of bulk metal deliveries with lightweight, even portable equipment, such as hand-held Rockwell hardness testers

 

How do you use Rok-It gages?

ROK-IT gages are simple go/no go gages which are lightweight and easy to use. Because of the plate design with spherically formed ends, Rok-it gages can be presented to a bore at any angle with no problems of alignment and rocked over center to check size.

If the 'go' end rocks over center and the ‘no go’ stops, then the bore is within tolerance. Simple and quick, so gaging time is reduced to a minimum.

Rok-it can test barreling, out of round, taper, blind bores, recessed bores, deep bores, and can be supplied to gage tolerances as low as 0.005mm.

 

How do you measure Surface Finish?

Surface Finish Measurement quantifies the texture of a surface by measuring the vertical deviations of a real surface from its ideal form. If these deviations are large, the surface is rough; if they are small the surface is smooth

Use of a Profilometer is the traditional method of surface finish measurement using information gained from a trace acquired by running a diamond tipped stylus over the part being tested.

There are dozens of different surface finish parameters that can be reported, some of the more common ones are:

 

Ra – Roughness Average

Raa        - Arithmetic Average

Rz – Average Maximum Height

Rt – Maximum Height of the Surface

 

What are Surface Roughness Comparator plates?

Where it is not possible or conditions do not allow the use of a profilometer, roughness of machined surfaces can usually be assessed conveniently and with sufficient reliability using visual and tactile (fingernail) comparisons with a standard set of surfaces machined in the same way.

This is done using one of our many Roughness Comparison Specimens. They are simple to use, inexpensive, and hence widely used in many different applications.

 

How do you properly guard a Lathe?

While broad interpretations exist, the OSHA general requirement for all machines is clear that all moving machine parts as well as the point of operation need to be guarded. Also, guards must be affixed to the machine in such a way as they do not pose or become a hazard themselves.

 

To guard the chuck, we recommend the Latheguard or Chuckguard. To guard the point of operation, we manufacture the Travelguard.

Other optional Lathe guarding accessories include the Draw Bar Guard and the self ejecting Lathe Chuck Key.

 

How do you properly guard a Vertical Bandsaw?

While broad interpretations exist, the OSHA general requirement for all machines is clear that all moving machine parts as well as the point of operation need to be guarded. Also, guards must be affixed to the machine in such a way as they do not pose or become a hazard themselves.

 

To guard a Vertical Band Saw, we recommend our Band Saw Visorguard.

 

How do you properly guard a Drill Press?

While broad interpretations exist, the OSHA general requirement for all machines is clear that all moving machine parts as well as the point of operation need to be guarded. Also, guards must be affixed to the machine in such a way as they do pose or become a hazard themselves.

 

To guard a Drill Press, Flexbar offers a variety of options and sizes to fit your needs. Our most popular are the Visorguard, Drillguard, and Drill/Chuck Visorguard.