Member postings for OuBallie

Al,

Geoff - Excellent time in workshop last night

Thanks for the warnings!

Graphite dust I have as well as sewing machine oil.

Geoff - Today is workshop day at last

Update.

Since my first post, I have been applying normal as well as 3in1 oil to the plunger, and it has finally today freed enough to be sliding smoothly.

The gauge now appears to be working as designed, but I will continue applying the lighter of the two oils for a while yet, moving the at the same time.

Ta for all the help.

Geoff - If only the same treatment would work for me

Ady1,

Have to take issue with you regarding carbon steel (CS)

HSS for those used frequently yes, without hesitation every time, and something I've always done, BUT, for the larger sizes and those not used frequently, CS of a known make are fine, and the cost of one HSS will buy 2 or more CS ones.

I do emphasize KNOWN make, and certainly NOT some no-brand from who knows where.

My CS do a perfectly good job, but as I've said, if I was using them regularly, then I would certainly invest in HSS ones.

Geoff - Recovering from treatment at the moment so no workshop for 2 weeks (

Stephen,

Oops!

Nothing unusual then for me lately

Len P,

You have two Left to Rights, or I'm missing something.

Geoff - Good day out yesterday.

Phil,

Where did you those those clip-on magnifying lenses?

They sound like the perfect solution.

Geoff - About to rain here in South Norfolk

Edit: Its raining heavely with lightening and thunder

Edited By OuBallie on 15/06/2013 10:45:53

Varifocals have improved over the years.

The first set I had, which where first generation, I had to give up on as the field of vision was so narrow they made me feel sick, even after weeks of persevering.

Now, however, I wouldn't be without them.

Two cataract operations 15 odd years ago gave me long distance 'lenses', so I only need the glasses for reading and workshop etc.

As mentioned, it does take a while to acclimatize in their use, especially having to move your head instead of eyes only to look at thinks. You have to focus through the comparatively narrow field of undistorted vision, compared with natural vision, in order to keep things from distorting, if that makes sens., When reading you have to move your head and not just eyes to follow the printing etc, otherwise,  looking through the edges of the lenses will distort things appreciatively, which was the problem with the first generation. I'm now on third, and they are absolutely fine.

The one negative, however, is having to tilt your head back to focus close up on things above eye level, but that has become so automatic I find myself doing so even when not wearing the glasses.

The real, real, REAL pain in the ar6e, however, is having to focus on something when you have to adopt an awkward position, and that's when single lense glasses come into their own, the worse is lying on your back or side or head down, and looking up at something fairly close, sush as behind a dashboard or under a car or such like.

Getting the motor assembly into the Boxford shaper was such a time, especially connecting up the V- belt and motor tension adjusting bits and pieces.

Persevere with them, and unless you are extremely unlucky, you will be fine with them.

Really small, and delicate work will need special single focus lenses as my Dad had made for him, for his modeling of historic Man o'War sailing boats.

Geoff - Typing this on an iPad 3 wearing varifocals with no problem at all

Edited By OuBallie on 15/06/2013 10:44:01

I think someone on the forum said " Buy cheap, buy twice!".

I've gone the eBay no brand cheap route, but never again!

I went through 5 x 4mm drill bits whilst fitting the roller shelves to my BH600G stand, and the remaining 5 soon after. They just snapped at the least provocation..

By comparison, I have a set of General number drill bits dating from the '70s and they are still going strong.

It's now name brand only, more expensive yes, but once only, unless I do something stupid.

Reminds me of a brand of metric sets I was selling in the '70s, from Taiwan, that I flung back at the distributor when a customer came into the shop, took a drill bit and bent it! I then did the same with another one, and everyone in the shop myself included, where goggle eyed before bursting out laughing, as this was up till then unheard off.

Nothing changes, except country of manufacture.

Geoff - Coffee time.

Fizzy,

Don't forget to take loads of videos of her growing up.

Took four DVDs (17Gb) of GD to family yesterday, and mother watched some of the events that she had completely forgotten about.

Father has head in starting a business, so his priorities are elsewhere at present.

Mother was so happy at watching them.

BUT, watch out for new generation taking to new technology with aplomb.

Whenever I produce my iPhone to film her, or open my iPad, she (17months) immediately stops what she is doing and clambers all over me to get her hands on either device, including Dad's PC when he opens it, much to his, happy, annoyance as she leaves the screen smudged.

Seeing her push icons and buttons as well as swipe fingers and hands across the screen makes me wonder what's in stall for her and her generation and the technology that they will have at their finger tips.

She becomes totally absorbed and is completely at ease with either device as well. Amazing.

Geoff - Totally whacked after day out yesterday

Edited By OuBallie on 13/06/2013 11:25:14

Edited By OuBallie on 13/06/2013 11:26:34

You are now on the roundabout

Enjoy!

Geoff - Waiting in anticipation.

John & MichaelG,

You both got it in one.

After reading the responses, I loosened the probe enough to get a thumb nail under it, levered and it moved ever so slightly, so as mentioned, it's stuck.

So a little 3in1 as suggested.

Mystery solved.

I did 'manage' to remove the bezel, but quickly got that back.

MichaelG - What exactly do you mean by 'nasty surprise'?

I hesitate/am reluctant to take it apart, as I have visions of all sorts of bits and pieces heading for the nearest black hole, that seem to inhabit all workshops, of whatever size or tidiness.

I wonder if a sonic bath will free the insides.

Will post update.

Windy - Details of how it's used for timing would be appreciated please.

Cheers all.

Geoff - Just about recovered from weekend

Tidying up my drawers, in preparation for experimenting with foam and papier-mache in organising items in them, I came across this 1.1/2" Mercer G.91 DTI.

The only part that moves is the black bezel, the indicating lever and arm being fixed.

The contact 'pin' is fixed as well, and unscrews.

Any help as to how and where it is used appreciated please.

More photos uploaded into new DTI folder.

Ah, I can insert photos when using the MacBook.

Geoff - Hoping to clear up this mystery.

Wood & rusting tools depends on the wood.

Do not use Oak, as it will cause rust. I was either told of, or read about this.

All of my 60+ drawers are made from common or garden pine, with little or no form of protective coating to bright bare metal.

Six + years and no new rust has appeared, other than what was already present on the tools, and that was given a rub over with the usual oily rag.

This in a fully insulated single garage, where previous to this, rust was a problem.

I even bought a dehumidifier, but have never used it, or felt the need to either.

Geoff - TeNS on my thumb.

Other half yelped when I mentioned this idea as a perfect solution, then gave me that look that only they can, and said "Don't even think of using MY oven!"

I got the message

Geoff - About to concoct a chuck hoist with overhead trolley

Thanks Michael.

iPad 3 with iOS6, so will investigate more.

On the insert photo page, I select one, click the OK button, then after a moment I'm thrown back into the message being typed, without the photo being inserted

Must try the procedure on the MacBook.

Geoff - Worn out after visit from GD. They have far too much energy

New handle fitted and a 'key' made.

Setting the QC up, memories came flooding back as to why I soon bought one for my first lathe!

The total ease in setting tool bit height and swapping tool holders the reason.

I soon, however, found that a proper 'key' was preferable to using a combination spanner to swap tool holders.

The correct 3/8th keys on eBay are an eye watering £24.00, so decided I could make one, so hunted for a solution, but not knowing what size of cap head set screw has a 3/8th hex, decided to use a box spanner instead, with suitable handle fitted.

The DIY 'key' works fine as is, but will give it time to see how I get on with it.

I did make an attempt at an indexing base for the QC, but although my first try proved the concept, my lack of precision at machining at present means that it's headed for the 'Re-use' bin. Well it has been 30 odd years since using a lathe and my first using a shaper.

Photos uploaded. Still cannot find a way of including photos with the post using my iPad.

After hefting the 4-jaw chuck on and off of the spindle a few times, some sort of hoist to handle it is now top of my project list, as changing chucks will soon become a chore.

Thinking of using a length of Unistrut channel, with open end facing down, with a trolley running on the leg inturned uprights (if that makes sense), with block and tackle attached, however, I would appreciate any ideas please. Photos will follow.

Geoff - Thoroughly enjoying the warmth and sunshine. At last says I!

Tool clips, open or closed type.

Geoff - Can finally finish the QC nut handle.