Recent content by jlutz

  1. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    Hey Chris - I know we had a sidebar on this via email. For other interested parties, it certainly may be possible; like I mentioned, the mystery metal composition of the cheap pillow blocks made me uncertain. Also being a novice welder (see my welds for evidence!), I wasn’t sure if I’d need to...
  2. J

    Head Rest Mod for AmScope Stand

    I have an articulating scope stand from AmScope (SKU: APC-84) and wanted to add a headrest. I couldn’t find any that were a direct fit, but I found one from microscope.com (SKU: OMHR-99) that was workable. I think it’s a bit pricey for the quality, but it does look serviceable and I couldn’t...
  3. J

    Hi Roger. It is available. I just sent you a PM.

    Hi Roger. It is available. I just sent you a PM.
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  4. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    For sure! I see this as a good middle of the road option for someone who can’t (or chooses not to) spend the money on something top of the line like Steve Lindsay’s vise stand, but maybe doesn’t want to go full engineer and build it from scratch. The pipe stand is certainly where the money is on...
  5. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    That’s it! All told I had around $150 in materials. I just finished it up, so I can’t give a report yet, but I used the ones in Ray’s shop for a week and thought they worked great. I can detect a very slight unevenness in mine on rotation, I believe because the plate is not precisely level. I...
  6. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    Just a few more steps now. Using washers and lock washers, bolt the pillow block in place. I then added a bit of lithium grease in the center where the pipe will make contact with our mounting block, just to keep things smooth. Finally, install it on your pipe and use the set screws in the...
  7. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    Next up, mark the block you just welded in place so you can drill and tap mounting holes. A transfer punch works well if you have the right size or if you don’t and you fake it like I did. Ince that’s complete, drill and tap the holes to fit your bolts.
  8. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    Once your bottom plate is centered, secure in place. I then pre-heated the steel with a torch before welding. After welding was complete, I covered it fully in vermiculite and let cool. I am a rather poor welder, so pay no attention to that!
  9. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    Next, mark the center of your plate and disc. To get them to line up, I drilled a hole through the bottom plate and dimpled the top plate. I then used a transfer punch to “feel” when I found the dimple on the disc.
  10. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    First, I had to remove a little metal from my pipe so it would fit the pillow block. If you have a large enough lathe, that’s obviously the most precise way. I did not, so I just used sandpaper and the slack portion of my belt grinder. Just go slow and try and work the sides evenly. You want it...
  11. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    Here are the parts I used, minus the bolts and washers. Parts list is as follows: *Rigid Pipe Stand, Model VJ-99 (Available on Amazon here: https://a.co/izpdbwp, though I found it cheaper on Zoro. Ray pointed out he has used the type with collapsible legs and finds the fixed leg option to be...
  12. J

    Ray Cover DIY Vise Stand

    I had the good fortune to join Ray recently for his Basic Engraving class and saw his homemade vise stands. I thought they were the best designed, and with the most readily available materials, of the DIY options I had seen. I made one at home he was kind enough to give me permission to share...
  13. J

    Question: Templates for Knife Scale Designs?

    Thank you Mike, that’s great! Looks like an “r” got omitted in your link. For other interested parties this should get you there: https://www.engravingtransferdesigns.com
  14. J

    Question: Templates for Knife Scale Designs?

    Thank you, I’ll do that!
  15. J

    Question: Templates for Knife Scale Designs?

    Ha, I appreciate the perspective! I’m going to practice drawing as I practice cutting. If I could learn some basic drawing skills, it would help my other crafting endeavors; I think the time has come to get over the fact that it doesn’t come easily to me and start working on it!
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