Dialed in a custom punch on the sine plate to within 0.0001" on an Interapid, blued it on the 18x24 granite, perfect — until I tightened the second toe clamp and watched the needle wink two tenths like it knew I was looking. Anyone else whisper sweet nothings to a Mitutoyo 0–1 trying to coax that final tenth back, or is that just my midnight routine?
I get that when the toe’s angled; slip a little pack under the free end so the strap runs level, then ‘snug–tap–snug’ both sides and finish with two fingers on the wrench. If it still walks, pre-load it a tenth the opposite way before the last nip — the final tenth’s union rep hates surprise overtime. You clamping straight to the plate or sitting it on a couple 1–2-3s?
, that second toe breathing “two tenths” gets me too. What fixed it here was a 1/4" drive torque wrench — A‑B‑A sequence at about 16 in‑lb on the straps — and the wink stopped on the Interapid, @grindstone. What tip angle are you running on that Interapid?
Same pain on a sine plate at “0.0001” — the Interapid does the “wink.” Stick a 1/8" gauge pin under each strap so it pulls straight down, then snug; the creep disappears… @gavin_lucas01’s controlled torque helps, but if it still shifts, crack and re-lock the sine plate after clamping.
That Interapid “wink” drives me nuts. I kill it on the sine plate by sliding a strip of cigarette paper under each clamp contact so it bites, then tapping the punch with a brass drift while I sneak up on torque; if it still creeps on the 18×24, let it sit a minute to dump fingertip heat — @gavin_l you run the paper trick or have a cleaner fix?
I stop the “last tenth” from walking by dusting the clamp pads with rosin or chalk so they bite. Tiny climbing shoes for clamps — ever try that, @kturner46?
I bias it before the final snug: slide a 0.0005" feeler under the side that creeps, then pull the “second toe clamp” so the clamp’s pull cancels the drift and the needle lands back where you set it… Tiny caveat: yank the shim after and give it 30 seconds on the 18x24 to settle before you tell the Mitutoyo any sweet nothings. You ever try that, @kturner46?