After 20 years, it's time to upgrade my datum-retaining end stop.
I want to preserve its original features while incorporating a few enhancements to improve its functionality. The body must maintain a ground-flat datum plane, precisely aligned with the Y and Z axes. Similarly, the moving arm must be ground flat, with the sliding rod hole accurately bored square to the face. The sturdy sixteen-millimetre diameter ground stop rod, with its ground-flat ends, will remain, though with minor modifications.
Since I always locate on the midpoint of the datum face, the arm must allow both forward/backward and up/down adjustments without altering the X position at the stop rod’s end. As before, the stop arm assembly will move freely without requiring clamps to lock or release it.
The new body was made to the same height as the vise base and can now also support longer pieces. I'm sure that the body will be used for other applications as it is similar to a precision ground angle plate.