See... This is the kind of stuff I love. Your "side 5/7" method is one of those concepts that you start to grasp almost as soon as someone begins to show you, and you can't help but smile. Something that's beautifully simple and elegant, and you know you'd have never thought of it in a million years. In short, delightfully awesome. Thanks, Tom!
Nicely done Mr. Wizard, it took a second, a little rewind, but I see the idea behind the 5/7 cut. That edge is true, you a cleaver dude, simple tools, knowledge and BAM, a square block! A+
I call shenanigans. My apprentice marks never look like that. You didn't even drill into the granite! This video was done by some super science lab machinist, a wizard, or both.
I have quite a few years of machining experience under my belt and learn something from you on every video. Sometimes it is a small detail, sometimes it is a glaring omission in my skill set. Either way, VERY thankful that you share your skills. So much if this in not accessible to people that are not shoulder to shoulder with the right person. One of my operators, who was very sharp, had learned really rotten habits from his previous job. It is hard to unlearn bad habits. In time, as I myself learned new things, it was easy to see that I was also guilty of passing bad technique on to the same guy. We both had to unlearn the bad techniques. Anyone that stops learning, quickly becomes an anchor in the realm of machining.
20min Video about squareing stock, so basic, boring but watched it anyways because watching it is almost as good as physicaly doing it (training). Showed the trick with the V-Block and the 5/7 technique. Blew. My. Mind. Thank you Tom!
Excelent tutorial Tom! I know when you were showing the square measuring 2 to 3 you meant to show the square measuring 2 to 5 . I only mention it to not confuse the virtual apprentices. ATB, Robin
I have consumed many of your videos. Your channel is my escape from reality. I am very grateful for your content. I currently work as a CNC operator for a water treatment equipment manufacturer. I use a CNC router to cut polypropylene, PVC, HDPE and other plastics to build enclosures for chemical feed equipment. The enclosures are assembled by hot air and extrusion welding. I am in Manatee county Florida. Anyways, I learned much of what I know from my grandfather. You remind me of him with your odd ball Bob's your uncle shop comrodery. Very funny and enjoyable. He gave me a caliper that was his father's. So that makes it very old. It is a Japanese NSK Vernier Caliper 780-701 DC-6 6" (0.001"). I wasn't sure if you have any experience with these calipers in your career. If you could tell me anything about them at all I would be very grateful. Google searches didn't turn out to well. I know you have a sentamental connection with tools and I see exactly where you are coming from with this caliper. The history of the tool makes it special. The tool has helped feed my family tree in it's own way and I am honored to have it. Keep up the good work. I plan to dedicate my life to the machinist world and thanks to you I am learning a lot. Hope all is well...... Bob's your uncle!
I really appreciate the direction this video went. I am a husband, father of two and work full time. Making time for a class at a tech school is not an option. Videos like this really help. Thank you for all the priceless knowledge you willing give to guys like me.
Once again, thank you. I feel like every time I square up a block I'm doing it a little differently than before. Not that questioning what I've done before is a bad thing, but it makes it feel like I'm opening myself up to error in not having a go to method for such a fundamental task. I'll try this out the next opportunity I have.
Thank you! I don't have V blocks and don't have the big bucks to buy accurate ones for your first method, but the 5/7 shows that with the right knowledge, you don't always need fancy tools! Thanks again!
Tom, The virtual apprentice idea is GREAT. Please do many more of these. There are a number of youtube videos on how to square a block, including one by the University of Wisconson. Your video is WAY ahead of all the others. Your videos prove you are an exceptional machinist. We all want to learn from you. Thank you.
Wonderfully informative, so neophyte metal machinists may be able to set up an additional shop within the woodworking shop which they already have. Thank you Mr. Lipton
Videos like this area great. And not only for squaring up stock. The thought processes lead on to further similar thinking and go well beyond just squaring up some stock. WELL DONE ! ! ! I'd also like to thank you for continuing to make videos that are fairly well paced. I've stopped watching some other YT machinists because they wander of and ramble or show painfully slow segments of simple machining.
This went as I thought it might right until side 5/7. I had no idea what you were doing there, and definitely learned something. I wouldn't have even thought to cut it that way.
Nice lesson Tom. I learned some indicator tricks from you... As someone who does a lot of 3 and 5 axis CNC programming and machining I'm a fan of hanging onto ~1/8" in the vice (sided being clamped need to be reasonably parallel), facing the top, milling around the outside with an end mill, chamfering the edges, then flipping the part and decking off the grip stock. Doesn't work with every part but in the right application its great.
Wonderful - learned two new methods (v-blocks and 5/7). Very clever, simple and clear and precise without excess verbosity. Thanks Tom! Love your videos.
Hey Tom Loved "Virtual Apprentice/(Virtual Co Worker)" Most of us these days work in small shops or are one man bands. So the exchange of ideas and work around's between co workers just ain't there. The like's of You, Adam, Robenz, Joe Pie, NYCNC, Kieth Fenner etc. Have saved my proverbial Ass on many a project! Big thumbs up to you all! Keep those machining tips coming! Best regards Ralph
In a different squaring blocks video, one of the replies gave the 7 step method in words, but it takes actual seeing it, to really visualize the process.
Very well explained! This method is also in James Harvey's Machine Shop Trade Secrets Chap. 12 "Be Square". I also remember thatlazymachinist showing a method with three point contact to start the first side on material with rough sides. Thanks!
Okay, is this similar to finding true length, like we used to do in manual drafting (a projection linie??)? This looks really similar. I took drafting in fall of '81. Very elegant and I'll use it on my next block. Thank you. Geometry wasn't wasted!!! wohooo!
Awesome and that's for all the skill lessons you share!! Still confused as always on how a line, but you say an edge is square to the side. it's just me but I will get it. Thanks again!!
Alright you, I watched this on my fancy colored tv screen, but then had to amble all the way over to this other gizmo to make a comment. Very nice, done did this in the past and I think most peeps run an indicator ups and downs the part whilst figuring 5 and or 6, but I've found its to be the faster. Thank for the knowledge exchange.
Super simple techniques and highly useful! Very thorough without being tedious. I love learning from your videos Tom, thanks for taking the time to make this kind of info available to the online-layman who want to learn, like me! Cheers
I can see this method working really well squaring up pieces on the lathe as well. A little tricky holding the saw cut faces, but the idea applies directly.
Remove the chuck and use a small vice or 90 deg. angle plate on a face plate, and follow the same process. Watch out for the parallels, could end up with one in your ear.
Glad to see you pass this on. Its the first time I have seen some one other than myself use this method. Just wondered why you used two different types of Squareness Devices.
"drizzle drazzle drizzle drone time for this boy to go home" I wonder how many people know what you're referring to when you say "Mr. Wizzard"? Nice informative video. Thanks. I'm just learning on my bridgeport.
Often use this method it speeds things up if you have a lot of blocking out to do probably wouldn't check tool-steel D2 with anything more than a square as it moves a bit during heat treat and would be grinding it later .If i use a vee block i tend to use 2 vee blocks 1 front and one back spreads the load over all 4 faces then. Thanks Robert
Fantastic those cuts 5-7 and what they achive. An other guy showed how to square up a block using only 2 setups but needed 2 different tools. What do You think about my little home project?How to square up a 2"x3"x4" U-beam to make it an angle block wihout having a vise that can hold it? It got the piece for free´, brought it home and realized that there is no 90 degree angle anywhere.
To avoid deburring face 5 i usually do 2 cuts at different angles to form something that looks like a roof( V shape). Also climb milling that edge solves the burr problem.
Hi Tom ! Really nice method and very well instructed, but ... it wa a little misleading the way you you checked the 5. cut was square ... you have use a smaller angle and then put it up against the right surfaces ... I new the method so I know what you was trying to show there ;-)) but oh, keep coming with some more nice and nifte PROFY's tricks - thx for sharing !
Excellent info/video! I've squared a number of blocks before, but used a slightly different method for sides 5/6. I like your 5/7 trick better and will definitely use that in the future. Thanks!
I see the indicator stand you were using for squareness checking has a straight squaring surface, while the other indicator stands in the background and the one you used for parallelism had a curved squaring surface. Which of the two styles do you prefer? It seems to me the straight surface would be a lot faster, as there would not be "hunting" to find the high spot. But most of the videos I've seen on shop made ones have the curve. Thanks!
Holy shit Tom, 'that is 'super skookum', there is no way around geometry and physics , which you have just clearly demonstrated. Very simple AND very clever,. 10/10 young man, go to the top of the class 'Mr. Wizard'!!! Kindest regards. Joe.
This is a very underrated video! I think the title throws everyone off; doesn’t make sense. I believe it would be one of your top watched vids if the title was changed.
See... This is the kind of stuff I love. Your "side 5/7" method is one of those concepts that you start to grasp almost as soon as someone begins to show you, and you can't help but smile. Something that's beautifully simple and elegant, and you know you'd have never thought of it in a million years.
In short, delightfully awesome. Thanks, Tom!
Great video, I like the 'Virtual Apprentice' idea.. Keep them coming!
I agree, and would say it could make a great series
Sorry, this will be the one and only!
So cool. Once again proving you don't know what you don't know till an old hand in the shop shows you.
Tks Tom
I feel enlightened. The penny really dropped with side 5. Thanks for a great explanation!
You know I was asking my self why am I watching a video about squaring blocks. I'm glad I did this 5/7 method is awesome
Would you make the "virtual apprentice" vids in to a playlist please Tom, such a good idea for beginners like me.
Nicely done Mr. Wizard, it took a second, a little rewind, but I see the idea behind the 5/7 cut. That edge is true, you a cleaver dude, simple tools, knowledge and BAM, a square block! A+
I call shenanigans. My apprentice marks never look like that. You didn't even drill into the granite! This video was done by some super science lab machinist, a wizard, or both.
I have quite a few years of machining experience under my belt and learn something from you on every video. Sometimes it is a small detail, sometimes it is a glaring omission in my skill set. Either way, VERY thankful that you share your skills. So much if this in not accessible to people that are not shoulder to shoulder with the right person. One of my operators, who was very sharp, had learned really rotten habits from his previous job. It is hard to unlearn bad habits.
In time, as I myself learned new things, it was easy to see that I was also guilty of passing bad technique on to the same guy. We both had to unlearn the bad techniques.
Anyone that stops learning, quickly becomes an anchor in the realm of machining.
Lots of things, it is easier to teach someone with no experience, how to do it the right way, than try and break someone's bad habits.
As a non-machinist, I found this to be very informative. Please keep the "Virtual Apprentice" idea alive! Thanks for all of your videos, Timmy
20min Video about squareing stock, so basic, boring but watched it anyways because watching it is almost as good as physicaly doing it (training).
Showed the trick with the V-Block and the 5/7 technique. Blew. My. Mind.
Thank you Tom!
Tom, you are genius. Thank you for the Virtual Apprentice concept.
Tom is a really good teacher. Well executed video Tom.
That "side 5/7 method" is simply awesome! Thanks for presenting it!
We need more of these, Tom! I learn at least 2 or 3 new things every video you make like this. Love them, please keep them coming.
Excelent tutorial Tom!
I know when you were showing the square measuring 2 to 3 you meant to show the square measuring 2 to 5 . I only mention it to not confuse the virtual apprentices.
ATB, Robin
Too late :)
I have consumed many of your videos. Your channel is my escape from reality. I am very grateful for your content. I currently work as a CNC operator for a water treatment equipment manufacturer. I use a CNC router to cut polypropylene, PVC, HDPE and other plastics to build enclosures for chemical feed equipment. The enclosures are assembled by hot air and extrusion welding. I am in Manatee county Florida.
Anyways, I learned much of what I know from my grandfather. You remind me of him with your odd ball Bob's your uncle shop comrodery. Very funny and enjoyable. He gave me a caliper that was his father's. So that makes it very old. It is a Japanese NSK Vernier Caliper 780-701 DC-6 6" (0.001"). I wasn't sure if you have any experience with these calipers in your career. If you could tell me anything about them at all I would be very grateful. Google searches didn't turn out to well. I know you have a sentamental connection with tools and I see exactly where you are coming from with this caliper. The history of the tool makes it special. The tool has helped feed my family tree in it's own way and I am honored to have it.
Keep up the good work. I plan to dedicate my life to the machinist world and thanks to you I am learning a lot. Hope all is well...... Bob's your uncle!
Have seen all your videos and learn something from every one of them. This was a really good one for folks at my level. Thanks and keep them coming.
I really appreciate the direction this video went. I am a husband, father of two and work full time. Making time for a class at a tech school is not an option. Videos like this really help. Thank you for all the priceless knowledge you willing give to guys like me.
Truly brilliant. Especially when suggesting the V-block method, only to toss it as 'boring'. Educational AND thoroughly entertaining!
Once again, thank you. I feel like every time I square up a block I'm doing it a little differently than before. Not that questioning what I've done before is a bad thing, but it makes it feel like I'm opening myself up to error in not having a go to method for such a fundamental task. I'll try this out the next opportunity I have.
You are an excellent instructor. Thank you for all of the knowledge and enthusiasm you share.
Thank you! I don't have V blocks and don't have the big bucks to buy accurate ones for your first method, but the 5/7 shows that with the right knowledge, you don't always need fancy tools! Thanks again!
Tom, The virtual apprentice idea is GREAT. Please do many more of these. There are a number of youtube videos on how to square a block, including one by the University of Wisconson. Your video is WAY ahead of all the others. Your videos prove you are an exceptional machinist. We all want to learn from you. Thank you.
Wonderfully informative, so neophyte metal machinists may be able to set up an additional shop within the woodworking shop which they already have. Thank you Mr. Lipton
Videos like this area great. And not only for squaring up stock. The thought processes lead on to further similar thinking and go well beyond just squaring up some stock. WELL DONE ! ! !
I'd also like to thank you for continuing to make videos that are fairly well paced. I've stopped watching some other YT machinists because they wander of and ramble or show painfully slow segments of simple machining.
This went as I thought it might right until side 5/7. I had no idea what you were doing there, and definitely learned something. I wouldn't have even thought to cut it that way.
Nice lesson Tom. I learned some indicator tricks from you...
As someone who does a lot of 3 and 5 axis CNC programming and machining I'm a fan of hanging onto ~1/8" in the vice (sided being clamped need to be reasonably parallel), facing the top, milling around the outside with an end mill, chamfering the edges, then flipping the part and decking off the grip stock.
Doesn't work with every part but in the right application its great.
Tom, as always, you gave us a very nice view, it has been 57 years since I made my first squaring blocks, thank you for igniting the memory.
I had to re-watch the 5/7 trick several times, but it finally sunk in - that's a heck of a cute way to square it up!
Almost did not watch it.
Learned a new trick, thanks Tom
Wonderful - learned two new methods (v-blocks and 5/7). Very clever, simple and clear and precise without excess verbosity. Thanks Tom! Love your videos.
Hey Tom
Loved "Virtual Apprentice/(Virtual Co Worker)"
Most of us these days work in small shops or are one man bands.
So the exchange of ideas and work around's between co workers just ain't there.
The like's of You, Adam, Robenz, Joe Pie, NYCNC, Kieth Fenner etc.
Have saved my proverbial Ass on many a project!
Big thumbs up to you all! Keep those machining tips coming!
Best regards
Ralph
In a different squaring blocks video, one of the replies gave the 7 step method in words, but it takes actual seeing it, to really visualize the process.
Very well explained! This method is also in James Harvey's Machine Shop Trade Secrets Chap. 12 "Be Square".
I also remember thatlazymachinist showing a method with three point contact to start the first side on material with rough sides. Thanks!
Just to say thanks & much appreciated - you are generiously sharing your expertise and it's really appreciated.
That's very clever. The "V" block way is a keeper too.
I just did one of these for a collet block. I've got one more to do. I am proud to be a "VA" at Oxtools.... Keep this idea going man.
Okay, is this similar to finding true length, like we used to do in manual drafting (a projection linie??)? This looks really similar. I took drafting in fall of '81.
Very elegant and I'll use it on my next block. Thank you. Geometry wasn't wasted!!! wohooo!
Awesome and that's for all the skill lessons you share!! Still confused as always on how a line, but you say an edge is square to the side. it's just me but I will get it. Thanks again!!
This was definitely one of these "why did I not think of that" ideas! Thanks for sharing mister Lipton🥇💪🏼
Very clever trick! I love it. It's wonderful to be able to watch a master at work. And for free, too. I appreciate your generosity.
thaht little comparator is genius! i hope you have a video describing it a bit more, although it seems brilliantly simple!
So much easier than mucking around with my tiny square trying to get side 5 done! Thank you for this valuable tip :)
Hey Tom, a virtual apprentice here. Thanks!
Excellent refresh on squaring blocks. Many thanks Tom.
Quantum physics by Tom... 7 sided cube ... LMAO thanks for sharing this technique Tom, as always pleasure watching you skills ...
Alright you, I watched this on my fancy colored tv screen, but then had to amble all the way over to this other gizmo to make a comment. Very nice, done did this in the past and I think most peeps run an indicator ups and downs the part whilst figuring 5 and or 6, but I've found its to be the faster. Thank for the knowledge exchange.
Powerful, elegant technique clearly explained. Thanks! I will pass it on. -M'G
Nice. Just coincidentally I've got a small project where I need to make a block to start with. I'll be putting these techniques to use. Thanks!
Excellent video. Very smart. Thank you.
Very nice. Even simple stuff like this is a pleasure to watch, Tom.
Excellent you are one smart guy, never thought of using a Vee block to bring side ends into Sq. - Thank You
Super simple techniques and highly useful! Very thorough without being tedious. I love learning from your videos Tom, thanks for taking the time to make this kind of info available to the online-layman who want to learn, like me!
Cheers
Great video Tom love how you like to teach people and make sure they understand even Mr Wizards
Once again, another very informative video from Mr. Wizard. Thanks Tom.
I can see this method working really well squaring up pieces on the lathe as well. A little tricky holding the saw cut faces, but the idea applies directly.
Remove the chuck and use a small vice or 90 deg. angle plate on a face plate, and follow the same process.
Watch out for the parallels, could end up with one in your ear.
I like the virtual apprentice theme. Thanks for sharing with us.
Paul Mace i
Glad to see you pass this on. Its the first time I have seen some one other than myself use this method.
Just wondered why you used two different types of Squareness Devices.
great video Tom! never knew about the pivot rod in the bottom, but can see how that would help bias part against rear jaw. thanks you!
Can’t wait to try this one out the next time I’m squaring something up. Clever and cool. Thanks!
What a cool way of doing 6 square sides I've always wondered
Brilliant! Thank you Mr. Wizard! Love the Virtual Apprentice. Best Chuck
I like the Virtual Apprentice theme. Thanks for sharing Tom.
As a noob to machining, this is wonderful
Really great video, especially the side 5~7. I can't see why anyone would give it a thumbs down. So here I will give you 10 thumbs UP!!
Great content. Several methods shown that are very useful. Especially the 5/7 operation!
Please...... more videos like that. And perhaps some of the “how to use this tool” as well. Thank you, great video!
More virtual apprenticeship vids please!! 😄
Great concept Tom. Please keep the virtual apprentice vids coming.
Super video Tom. Really useful technique. Something I'll definitely be practicing. More of the same would be gratefully received.
"drizzle drazzle drizzle drone time for this boy to go home" I wonder how many people know what you're referring to when you say "Mr. Wizzard"? Nice informative video. Thanks. I'm just learning on my bridgeport.
I've been taking the "Mr Wizard" references as en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Herbert Watched him as a kid in the 60s. (And the cartoon Mr Wizard also :)
Jim I was thinking more about the cartoon. I had forgotten about the Mr. Wizzard show. Yes I watched both as a kid as well. Thanks for the memory.
Often use this method it speeds things up if you have a lot of blocking out to do probably wouldn't check tool-steel D2 with anything more than a square as it moves a bit during heat treat and would be grinding it later .If i use a vee block i tend to use 2 vee blocks 1 front and one back spreads the load over all 4 faces then. Thanks Robert
Very interesting - The "Cool Method". Thanks for sharing Tom!
Thanks, Tom. I got a lot out of this video. Great presentation.
Great video, I will try to remember where to find it for future reference. Thanks.
Good info and simple technique, simple tools thanks Tom.
Fantastic those cuts 5-7 and what they achive. An other guy showed how to square up a block using only 2 setups but needed 2 different tools. What do You think about my little home project?How to square up a 2"x3"x4" U-beam to make it an angle block wihout having a vise that can hold it? It got the piece for free´, brought it home and realized that there is no 90 degree angle anywhere.
Nice to see Fred's tools still making chips as they were intended 😀
To avoid deburring face 5 i usually do 2 cuts at different angles to form something that looks like a roof( V shape). Also climb milling that edge solves the burr problem.
Thanks for the great lesson, Tom. Very good method to use.
always nice to go back to basics
Thanks Tom
Hello there Tom Lipton Esq
Another good easy to follow, well presented video
Thanks always for showing and sharing
ATB
aRM
Never saw the v block trick before -- cool video!
Hi Tom !
Really nice method and very well instructed, but ...
it wa a little misleading the way you you checked the 5. cut was square ... you have use a smaller angle and then put it up against the right surfaces ... I new the method so I know what you was trying to show there ;-))
but oh, keep coming with some more nice and nifte PROFY's tricks - thx for sharing !
What a great method!
Excellent info/video! I've squared a number of blocks before, but used a slightly different method for sides 5/6. I like your 5/7 trick better and will definitely use that in the future. Thanks!
Thanks for another fantastic teaching moment.
Awesome video Sensei Tom! :) Loving the "make and reference a square edge" technique to step into the final square face :)
Yep, that's the way I have learned in school! I also remember being told the vee-block method is not good, but I can't remember why...
Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Nice Tom, thanks for showing how the cool cats square up stock.
I see the indicator stand you were using for squareness checking has a straight squaring surface, while the other indicator stands in the background and the one you used for parallelism had a curved squaring surface. Which of the two styles do you prefer? It seems to me the straight surface would be a lot faster, as there would not be "hunting" to find the high spot. But most of the videos I've seen on shop made ones have the curve. Thanks!
thanks for taking the time, mr Lipton.
nice, much thanks! shouldn't you *always* be using a parallel for cut 5? it doesn't seem that welding rod would be precise enough...
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and experience! This is quite some work and I really appriciate your effort.
Holy shit Tom, 'that is 'super skookum', there is no way around geometry and physics , which you have just clearly demonstrated. Very simple AND very clever,. 10/10 young man, go to the top of the class 'Mr. Wizard'!!! Kindest regards. Joe.
This is a very underrated video! I think the title throws everyone off; doesn’t make sense. I believe it would be one of your top watched vids if the title was changed.
Brilliant!!
Thank you for sharing!!!
LOVED the video
Great tutorial, Tom. I like the idea of the virtual apprentice!
Smart and stunning!