Gnoman, you bring up some interesting points. If I do take the barrels off and put them back on, I do get readings that are within .001-.002 of the previous ones.
To check out for the torquing, I could mount another indicator on a stand and put the dial needle on the top left side or right.
As for finding a perfectly flat non-sagging tube, not sure where to look for one to try. I would think a piece of 3/4" copper pipe 30" long and checked with a straight edge that is made for checking straightness would be sufficient, just wonder if it is exruded or rolled.
Yes I did mill them in my drill press.
I started out making a block to fit the square tubing by filing it square, too much work and it didn't come out right. What I did was measure the square tubing across the diagonal then drilled a hole that size in the block for the indiactor. It is loose front to back, but the forward weight of the aluminum and the dial indicator's weight hold it down.
Thanks, I appreciate any input and critisim isn't always a bad thing as this is how we all learn.
I see that you are in eastern Pa, also, I live near Cabela's, maybe we could meet and you could look at it.
Last edited by JDW; 01/20/12 11:25 AM.
