This bracket allows for an inexpensive digital depth gauge to be mounted to the tailstock of a mini lathe so accurate drilling depth can be achievable. This upgrade does not require any modifications to the original machine. This design simply slides over the stock tailstock and is clamped into place with a few set screws.
This was designed with iGauging Absolute Origin Depth Gauge model 35-0918 in mind ( http://www.igaging.com/digidepth-gauge.html ). This depth gauge has a mount for a magnetic base which we utilize to attach it to the tailstock.
My father decided to make a metal 'flag' that he clamped to the tailstock's quill. He was skeptical of plastic working (as he's always skeptical of anything plastic and didn't even thing the bracket would work lol ). The 'flag' can be 3D printed instead without affecting the accuracy to any degree. I will take a few measurements and design a 3D printed one in the future.
EDIT - Added both an Inch and a Metric Flag that can be clamped onto the quill. If you are using Metric hardware, print the Metric version, otherwise print the Inch version if you using a #8 screw and nut.
| GaugeMount.stl | 560.2KB | |
| Gauge_Flag_-_Inch.stl | 670.2KB | |
| Gauge_Flag_-_Metric.stl | 694.3KB |
