Member postings for Bob Stevenson

By coincidence Aldi are currently offering a hacksaw with three blades, one of which is specifically for wood and has reciprocating teeth to cut in both directions. Never seen hacksaw blade like that before but I thought what a good idea it was for a metal workshop since there is often a requirement to cut wooden bits a pieces to aid the work etc.

if the circlip is in good nick I would not touch it but make a 'filler' strip for the groove/housing.....just a strip of mild steel of correct width and thickness and nicely bent around a fromer of the right size, then fitted carefully into the groove,...and the circlip will be in the right position.......

Edited By Bob Stevenson on 20/10/2016 12:49:46

It was 'Stephenson's' Rocket actually,....not spelt or pronounced the same way......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephenson%27s_Rocket

And welcome, by the way!

Edited By Bob Stevenson on 14/10/2016 07:44:51

Yes, I get it now....thanks to all for putting me straight!

..........It's certainly possible to 'print' wax masters digitally.........This is frequently done in the 'defence industry' and if I recall is used to cast bayonets for the Army's current rifle (SA80 derivatives) 50 at a time in a "christmas tree" construction where the printer forms the wax assembly completely automatically and the spraying of the ceramic is then carried out by a robot......

............Probably not a shed type process,.....although.........

Forgive my ignorance, but how is this "lost wax casting" if there is a mo(u)ld that is permanent and split open etc?

...............Or not, maybe!

So what does the capacity break down to?........what is the weight of the casting please?.....presumably specific weight of brass x 0.75ltr must allow for runners etc(?)

Yes, but with respect Jason, that's why Neil started this topic!....snapping progress pix with your phone or pocket cam is one thing but when it's illustrations for articles you need to be better organised and many people here have computers in their workshops ....it takes but a few moments to check something that is actually quite important for an article.

Yes, Micheal is right, even my local copy shop has an educational licence and I have never had a problem along with the hosts of school kids who get pages copied every afternoon.

NO!...Don't just "trust" auto focus!.......place the cursor over an edge that is roughly in halfway thru the subject area then half press the shutter button HALFWAY DOWN and look for the amall symbol that tells you focus is 'locked' then push all the way to take the pic....Always allow 'follow thru' like a shooter to let the shutter do it's stuff before you move camera.......Now check the file on the computer screen if possible to make sure that you have got 'front to back' sharpness.

............It helps to use 'A' settign on the camera (aperture priority) and twiddle the knob until it reads 'f8' as this gives good 'depth of field'...ie zone of focus.....

Edited By Bob Stevenson on 05/10/2016 15:55:04

I think this is just a case of over zealousness on the part of the library assitant...most libraries nowadays don't even have real, qualified librarians so it's down to the largely ignorant to supervise stuff like this.

My understanding is that libraries have the equivalent of the 'educational licence' that allows a 'copy' to be made for general use, information, teaching and reference etc...the whole point of these laws is to stop wholesale copying in mass to bypass the normal publisher and authors rights to a fair profit for their efforts, not to penalise ordinary students and readers.

.....You need to complain to your 'County Chief Librarian',..which hopefully your county still has!

Bye the way, the drawings you need were also published in the 25 year edition of MEW earlier this year(?)

This page might be useful,....the ProMachine Tools site is tiresome to use, you have to click on 'Emco' to see anything......

http://www.emcomachinetools.co.uk/conventional-lathes

I've only seen the Ceriani lathes inside the front cover of MEW when I flick thru it in Smiths....Always assumed they were just another Chinese lathe with European paint due to the common design points, but it seems not! For an Italian machine tool it has very ordinary looks...indeed like a Chinese lathe!....it's no Graziano in miniature!

Weird choice of three phase or 24 volt AC.....nice paint!

Dave,

I can't see how this device can have much monetry value (to you) because even were you likely to come up with something truly novel it would simply be duplicated by the same Chinese factories that make the mini-lathes, and much else besides. You are very unlikely to be able to defend any patent, or even, come to that to identify the actual copiers as they will simply hide behind the usual complexity of Chinese business and exporting function.......

Further, you are VERY unlikely to obtain a patent as what you are planning exists and has for some time....simply take a look online and you will find the Hemingway item (Step up mill) and several others. Even before that there was/are tools of similar function such as the Potts spindles in their several forms. Not trying to be obtuse here but you really do have things stacked against you with the patent route for any machine tool or device,...and don't even think about the cost of defending any patent that you might be (very) lucky to obtain. patent applications, as several people here can tell you from practical experience are a nightmare set of traps and pits for the unwary and several of the said 'pits' quickly turn into money pits........Apart from all this you need to have come up with something truly 'novel'....without wishing to be unkind that is extremely unlikely as you can see for yourself with the aid of Google (just about your only friend in this!)

One of the great things about the Chinese mini-lathe is that it's cheap(ish) and exists in large numbers, thus offering a large market with a requirement for cheapness. if you can offer a practical cross slide mill (or kit of bits) for a low price you can sell some, at least until the chinese take notice.....

Interesting.......I think you can safely assume that there is an interest as these machines are very common.

I am also engaged on the same task, but from a horological viewpoint. The main problem with milling using a vertical slide is that the mini-lathes are notoriously lacking in rigidity. As you will have seen, the cross slide is perforated by a large cut-out to facilitate the 360 degree top slide. This is a serious drawback to rigidity and once a new, thicker unperforated cross slide top if fabricated the whole machine is fairly vastly improved.

Obviously, the way to go is to replace the top slide with a powered spindle and mill into the chuck/lathe spindle.

For your info there are effectively TWO types of these lathes, namely those made by 'Sieg' factory and those made by 'Real Bull' factory ...there is/was a third maker but their lathe is very uncommon in Europe and sold under the 'craftex' lable in Canada/Australia(?) The main two have differences mainly in the cross slide details.

The lathe I am using is a 7x14 'conquest' supplied by Chester machine tools and made by 'Real Bull'...so I can supply measurements for that type.

Edited By Bob Stevenson on 16/09/2016 14:33:24

Edited By Bob Stevenson on 16/09/2016 14:36:28

............... We had some nice compliments but it's the general trends and overall impressions that I was trying to get across. It's always very interestign talking to the visitors to the show and we have lots of chat afterwards about things that were said and their attitudes to what we do and display.........

..........The toughest thing about making a clock is that it takes a long time and your skill set increases rapidly.....then when you are actually assembling all the bits you are amazed and disgusted by how badly made the earlier parts are! When you get a compliment you KNOW the complimenter is nor really LOOKING!

Hi Michael,.....It's probably my 'grumpy old git' side causing me to refuse the vote! it just seems inappropriate to vote on such an idea. Perhaps the difficulty is the use of "cheating" in the title. Cheating implies that someone is done out of something and I can't see who and what to my satisfaction!

.....The only person who gets "cheated" by use of automation in model engineering is (possibly) the maker who works only to impress others by his cleverness and 'skill'......but ALL of the many people I know who strive to make things are way past such egotism!

It's not "sad" that few have voted,....I did not vote myself because none of the options reflect the views and perceptions that matter......as I see them.

I make clocks and would certainly use CNC for components were I to have access to it, then I could get on with the parts that would look horrible were they to be made by automation. Then again, I could'nt care less what people think about my methods or whether or not I use 'short cuts'

At the Alexandra Palace show in January my club (EFHC) had a stand where we displayed some completely hand made clocks,...my own clock was made with only one small part having been milled.....Everything else apart from arbors had been carved out with piercing saw and files. The attitudes of visitors were very interesting and often disturbing. We were frequently asked what software we used and one unpleasant character accused me of blatant lying when I told him that everything he was looking at was handwork! Most visitors seemed to think we were mad to do what we do without CNC and I got the distinct impression that membership would be enhanced if people could dabble with CNC in our workshop.....

However, visitors to model engineering shows are not the norm.  The norm are "punters" or 'Joe Public' and they don't really 'get' that there are people who make things by hand.....everything pops out of a machine and there is no actual skill in the making.......unless they see yo udo it.

Edited By Bob Stevenson on 03/09/2016 23:08:46

The "punters" is a key word in this matter.......

CNC "cheats" nobody out of anything....That's the good news! The problem is that in the eyes of the general public,...ie the "punters" any automation by computer completely nullifies any skills that may have been used.

....If ANY part of your project was CNC'd then you have given away any right to the respect of craftsmanship!....fact!

I have some of both my Dad's and my grandfathers tools that I still use along with some tools that I made when a lad...a hacksaw, calipers and punches etc that I made at school. My family all passed when I was in my early 20's so I have been using their tools now for longer than they did. When I was younger I felt loss of family acutely and picking up their tools still marked by the grip of their hands was a comforting thing to me. I still use my Dad's engineers hammer frequently but it's my hand pattern on the shaft now not his....but i still conciously 'put my hand where his was'.........

.....Many tribal communities around the world believe that tools and weapons take on the spirit of their users and who am I to dissagree? I know of several friends and practical people who reach for that favourite tool before doing a difficult task, I certainly do this and pick a particular tool because it has 'good vibes' when I have it in my hand and I'm about to start some nifty little job that needs to come out right.

John et al,

No, we're not at all draconian at EFHC!.....members can hit their fingers with whatever hammer they wish and the blunt centre punch contingent don't bother us........

...........But people (usually with no technical background) can't come into the workshop and smash stuff up any more!.......not without some shouting and rule book waving!....don't get me started on why this has had to happen!