Member postings for Dullnote

Hi Stew I have just started the first engine, I intend to biuld the three hoping this increases my skill level, just thought I would post this as a thank you for the series, much appreciated. These engines really help beginner like myself, where we have no knowledge or contact with other, get involved in this hobby. Again thanks for you work and effort.

Hi Peter I went with the four bolts but made the flange much thiner, but the six look good, I have also went with stud and nut each with washer, still to get each stud the correct length. May try the bolts after seeing yours

Hi Peter, i have just started this engine, I have the cylinder done with the support and valve chest, when drilling the cylinder to fit the rear cover, last job, I snapped the tap, after a couple of swear word, a mug of stronge coffee, managed to get the tap out, drilled down the side, made a mess of the work but should be okay to use. Hence I posted on this forum about taps.

Keep up the posting, the two inlet holes, what I did was, drilling out the cylinder side, then valve side, ensured they fitted by using stubs between them this allowed me to line up the valve chest to drill the rest. Also watch the valve chest the bore is not in the centre, guess how I know. Thats right measure twice cut once, but no one says read the drawings three times.

How can you tell if HSS or carbon.? Not just these taps but in general

Hi I have recently just started this hobby and a friend of mine gave me a set of BA taps his father had, he was happy to give them to me saying his dad would be happy they were being used.

I think they are good quality, maker name is Lehmann, Archer and Lane Ltd, anyone know about them?? they are not marked HSS how can I tell??

Hi I I am novice to this game, and also had issue and still do getting a good finish, I spent some time with scrap metal turning down and trying to get a good finish, using this forum was inform about HSS grinding, played with grinding tools trying different things, some slight changes to tools can make a big difference. My advice would be to experiment, practice and take note on what works.

The more you do the better it becomes i do tend to keep tools that work as reference, one thing I was surprised was after grinding, use of a stone made quite a difference to finish although I thought the tool was sharp from the grinding.

I hate my workshop to be untidy, also how come when I go in there time speeds up?

Hi Ron there was a series in model engineer on 15 pounder field gun WW1 , I don't have the mags anymore but kept copies of the series, something it intend to build SOMEDAY. Started 19 November 1999, My son would have been 8 at the time and I made a statement would have it completed by his 21st, well do the maths, yes I missed that date, not even started. It does get raised as a standing joke in the family.

Not sure if the digital issues go back the far, or if it is something you are looking for

Jim

Michael G , I may have got the concrete wrong, but the link made me laugh this morning, one of the best ever. I biuld my own house a few years ago and that is what it felt like in the builders merchant.

Thanks for the link and making me smile good way to start holiday

Niel , I am sure you did not buy concrete in Wickes, did you not buy cement to make concrete.

Sorry one of my pet hates, as civil engineer, its just annoying.

Never mind Niel I am sure you will get me back, I once asked for a black and white printer catridge, which had same effect on the shop assistant.

Has anyone else asked for something knowing what they mean but asking for the wrong thing

Managed to get around to start simple mill engine from the mag, no casting so easy to try again. Well everyone tells you measure twice cut once, nobody tells you to read the drawings three times.. Last week or so I have mucked about shaping HSS tools shapeing them grinding and generals muck about to find out what works best. Today big start day got the square bar set it up in four jaw chuck, faced it off then , parted 50mm to make the bit, to my surprise no issue there, cut like a dream, all my mucking about has paid off. On a high set up the parted part back in four jaw got it running true, drilled through the middle, carried on making holes required. Very pleased with my efforts, reward cup of coffee, then on to next bit, then noticed my error, hole should be off set, delema will it be ok looking at other things in drawings, eventually dicided bin it. Start again, problem off set in chuck, solution made a support for DTI got it so the unit ran true then marked two opposite jaws out with calculator to determine position. Whole afternoon in shop, one little bit, but it my little bit, I know looking on this board this is nothing great but I am chuffed to bits, roll on next session, I might even manage the next bit

Jim

Hi Alan glad to here from you again, sorry I can't give advice, I am even more of a beginner. Noticed your mill, can you tell me what it is sitting on, ? I know other has said about how clean you keep your working area, must admit I am a bit like that, before I leave the workshop everything must be put away and all machines cleaned down. This makes it easier for me to restart. The older I get the less clutter I can put up with.

If you could harness the power in one of these storms I wonder how many workshops you could run. We think humans are smart still a long way off nature

Sorry to take this away from cars, I was in the workshop, not making anything except swarf, after setting up my lathe started to turn metal could. Not get any finish on the material spend the day grinding tools, now have toolls for very good finish on brass, and a relative good finish on steel, which is smooth if you run a nail over the work very faint lines, before it was like a record, but can not get the steel to be like a mirror, am I asking too much.

Just starting out in this game, using one of these, for me it is flat for my limited skills and beats using the worktop of the bench.

So I suppose it is horses for courses

I went to knock hill to watch rally cars, temp did not reach 3 degree C and the wind would have cut you in two. In workshop this evening made a couple of tee bolts for hold down clamp, nothing more exciting, but getting back into the shop

Sorry daft question what is a ballscrew ?

Hi I have been away from this hoby for a number of years, life getting in the way, however I remember the workshop mag used to send out Data sheets , I am sure this would have been covered . I think I still have some ( never had full set) I will look and see.

Wondering if these data sheets could be reproduced like the free drawings coming on the site, what do you think Neil

Hi Niel, brave man but I think we should be happy you want to know what we are thinking and trying to produce a mag we all want.

would it be possible to produce a summary of the comment / suggestions , and what your thoughts are on how to improve.

remember the saying" you can not please everyone all of the time"

Hi Russ looking forward to reading about the progress, sorry i will not be able to help as i am just starting out on this venture, but will readwith interest

Jim