Recently, I was in the bidding for a micrometer stop for a Clausing 12" lathe. I dropped out when the price soared well above $200. Why? Because I was thinking that for that kind of money, I can buy a special-purpose endmill that will mill the 70-degree (included angle) groove to fit the bedway V-rail. If as-milled isn't quite precise enough, I can always scrape it into perfection.
It isn't obvious that I need a micrometer stop versus a plain old stop, and I plan to make a clamp to hold a 0-2" dial indicator such that it will indicate carriage location, and having the 70 degree groove endmill makes it easy to make all such things.
So, I ordered a pair (main plus backup) of V-203 conical endmills from the Conical Tool Company in the frozen wastelands of Michigan, Grand Rapids to be sure. The endmills cost $122 each, through MSC's special-order process.
It will be a few weeks before the endmills arrive. The first two projects will be the stop and the dial indicator holder.
Joe Gwinn