All the other machinists at work have their own dial test indicators & bases like the one pictured above and whenever I have to do a setup, I always have to borrow one. It was implied I should get one too, but my distaste in expensive delicate things that need to be taken care of led me to make a stand for my $15 Harbor Freight indicator.
The idea for the locking mechanism was stolen from the mill stops we use. However, instead of an Allen screw to adjust the height, a carriage bolt is used with a locking thing from a vise I broke. For the indicator I used an indicator extension, which was a project from the lathe class I took, inserted through an Allen bolt with a 1/4" hole drilled through it. This is secured by a wing nut.
Pro tip: don't try to drill through an Allen bolt because they are hardened.
The base is from a disused fixture from work. I drilled and tapped a couple 1/4-20 holes in it to screw in another indicator extension which was threaded, the wing nut acts as a jam nut to hold it down. The shaft was turned down and ground from a rod found on the side of the road.
Here is an exploded view. The block had to have a square milled around the hole for the carriage bolt which is visible in this picture.
With the addition of a 1/4-20 bolt with the head cut off, and a nut, it becomes a camera stand. Here the magnet base is shown, which is just a magnet from Harbor Freight with a hole drilled though the handle.
The stand works so well it can even support my VHS camera.
UPDATE
I really underestimated the versatility of this stand, here I am using it to align the head on the milling machine.
Camera is most important thing for me. When i go for any hunting i carry this with me. Nice to read your article! I am looking forward to sharing your adventures and experiences
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