Member postings for Mike Clarke

Incorrect.

I had just logged on to post this too - hope all is OK.

Yes,,, Michael,,,, they offer services from many companies. Thanks for letting me know in your typically smug fashion.

Use a UPS/DHL reseller such as Parcel2Go etc. You get an amazing deal on multiple boxes to the same address.

I avoid using Hermes like the plague - no end of problems. For piece of mind, pretty much guaranteed next day deliver and reliable tracking I tend to use DHL, UPS, TNT etc via one of the many resellers. Saving a couple of quid just isn't worth it unless the item is of very low value and easily replaced. I had a parcel (20kg and not small enough to slip down a gap!) go missing with Hermes after being scanned into their depot!

Must be quite a tough job being a delivery person. My niece ordered some £6 wellies for the little one and when the box came it contained a brand new iPhone. She called the carrier who sent her a lovely note and flowers - when the delivery guy came back to collect a couple of days later he was very grateful as they were trying to pin the blame on him and were going to charge him for the loss! Luckily for him the box he retrieved from my niece proved it was incorrect labelling. Can't say I'd like to work under such conditions, but that's how things are going I guess.

Hi. I've not got time at the minute to check the spec sheets - but 3M do some adhesive that should do the job. From memory DP8005 should do the job......check their site.

Rgds.

Mike

You might find barrier cream useful. I don't use it very often but is a handy addition to the workshop. Gloves are a big no-no and simply not worth the risk given the results are only dirty hands.

Hi Steve,

Hope you are happy with your new lathe - I have an ME10.

The Boxford tailstock is standard MT2 so you can get accessories (new or used) from all the usual places. The arbors should have a tang so they auto eject. I have a few nice chucks from ARC and also used ones from eBay (Rohm, Jacobs and Albrecht).....and a very nice Skoda live centre I picked up on eBay.

Regards,

Mike

Hi,

The Bulgin "Standard" or 4000 connector would suit (check their range for other possible suitable connectors) - and freely available form RS/Farnell/CPC etc

They're not the most compact but easy to assemble and not expensive.

Regards,

Mike

Edited By Mike Clarke on 26/03/2020 15:53:14

Regarding P&P. The clue is in the second P. Bit of a no win situation as people want their package to arrive safely but at the same time often only want to pay for the first P (of course the moans start when something goes wrong!!!).

I get used packaging free from work, others don't. Then we have printer costs and insurance. It's hideous just to say a parcel weighs x and ignore other related costs.

I have a set of mini bending springs like the ones mentioned above which work quite well for simpler pipe bends. I also made a mini bender which has proved a joy to use.....the plans were posted on Model Engineering Website a few years back.

Edited By Mike Clarke on 19/02/2020 20:52:12

In addition to the suppliers mentioned above, all of which I have used in the past and would use again.......I have been very pleased with the quality and price of taps/dies from "Avon Tap Die".

Cheers,

Mike

Does anyone read previous replies on this place!?

It's worth massively more than that £250 for everything as a "job lot". Well over £1000.

You could spilt the items, guide prices (off the top of my head):

Lathe with 3-jaw and change gears = £350-£400 (you see some pristine lathes - they can go for £600 easily)

Milling attachment = £300

4 jaw chuck = £80

Milling table £50

Milling vice = £50-£75

Collet chuck and collets = £150-£200

Steadies = £50-£100

Just list the items separately on the well known auction site. Start everything at £1 and you'll get a fair, current price for everything as Emco items are extremely popular.

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask any Qs via PM if you want advice on any items.

Mike

EDIT: If going down the eBay route - clean everything up best you can, take lots of photos and wait for their frequent £1 max selling fee promotions. Obviously these promotions limit the final value fees to £1, which makes a huge difference when selling items of fairly high value.

Edited By Mike Clarke on 05/09/2019 13:48:45

Edited By Mike Clarke on 05/09/2019 13:54:15

I'm not suggesting it's the case here, but there have been many cases of sellers on the well known sites under-declaring postage weights and volumes.

One such firm was Babz Media - the same firm also flouted environmental rules regarding waste, shipping of batteries and handling of electrical items - essentially allowing them to trade at rates unsustainable by any respectable company.

I seem to remember Babz Media were fined around £50,000 for the environmental breaches - and sued by HMRC and Royal Mail for £15m - so it wasn't just a case of the odd extra package being slipped into the sack of outgoing mail (doubt they ever paid a penny though!).

Hi Ian,

Which are you interested in? Many of the more specialist fasteners are listed at cost per 100 but in fact the pack sizes you add to your basket are 5, 25 etc.....so yes, pro-rata. Usually I get the purchasing office to place my orders, but I have made purchases myself when in a hurry and the product and service is top notch.

I have bought many 100,000s of stainless fasteners and experience has taught me (i.e. being in the middle of nowhere with seized fasteners) to avoid certain suppliers. I personally can feel the difference "through the spanners".

Thanks,

Mike

Hi,

I have had problems with stainless fasteners from Screwfix galling - so would give them a miss.

As other companies have been recommended, it only seems fair to share my preferred source:

Precision Technology Supplies

Thanks,

Mike

Nice job Geoff - and looks smart. I think you should do the other side too!

I once had a little Sharp milling machine which had aluminium handles - and every time I used it my hands would be absolutely jet black. I guess this was mostly down to oil and grease on the skin, but I would be mindful of the potential of the bare aluminium leaving a mark on light coloured carpets.

Hi Bob,

I use a large ball bearing (approx 30mm) - lower the quill and trap the ball bearing between the centre of the rotary table (presuming you have a hole there!) and your milling chuck, for example.

Works for me.

Cheers,

Mike