Model Engineer

Member postings for Neil Wyatt

Here is a list of all the postings Neil Wyatt has made in our forums. Click on a thread name to jump to the thread.

Thread: Replacement lathes. Recommendations?

07/05/2023 23:26:11

Yep best stay away from that political debate, it's still raw for many.

Neil

07/05/2023 23:23:23

They only make toy machine tools in China 🤣

Pictures by the late John S.

Neil.

Talk about a Freudian slip... I typed lathe instead of late. That would have tickled John's sense of humour!

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 07/05/2023 23:24:13

Thread: Possible use of ALDI car battery charger as a bench power supply

04/05/2023 11:40:50

Posted by Greensands on 03/05/2023 16:39:15:

I have just acquired this 6v/12v battery charger from ALDI which is being sold as a fully automatic micro processor controlled charger suitable for use with conventional car and motor cycle batteries and also incorporates a trickle charger function. Does anyone know if this might find alternative uses as a bench power supply? Maximum current is given as 5A but is said to be NOT suitable for recharging lithium batteries. One is always a little wary these days in using electronic gear outside of their design envelop but I would be interested to hear other people’s opinions.

These are 'intelligent' chargers that detect battery condition and vary the output to achieve longer battery life and even recover over-discharged or sulphated batteries (to some extent).

I would worry the non-linear output would not be suitable for many purposes.

A traditional charger based around a transformer or a 12V supply 'module' built into a suitable box (what I used and described by 'Stub Mandrel' in issue 325 of MEW) would be a better alternative.

Neil

Thread: David George's Retracting Toolholder

03/05/2023 11:44:47

I should also add thanks to David for uploading such useful videos as well as producing a great article.

Neil

03/05/2023 11:40:16

You can see a sneak preview of this automated screwcutting toolholder to be featured in MEW 328 and 329 HERE.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 08/05/2023 12:22:27

Thread: Collets

02/05/2023 23:44:45

You'll find most, but by no means all, hobbyists use ER collets.

Neil

Thread: Sources of decent quality ER25 Imperial Collets

02/05/2023 23:43:41

Posted by Trevor Drabble on 02/05/2023 21:34:04:

Weston Tooling supply good quality ER25 collets via their UP range with a stated run out of 0.0005mm , but only in metric I believe.

Raised eyebrow... presumably you check the runout using an interferometer?

Neil

Thread: Major? Spindle play

02/05/2023 23:38:48

Posted by Peter Parkes 1 on 02/05/2023 08:30:55:

I do think vevor will talk to me. They assured me they would help if i had any issues.

But as far as i can see, the only adjustment is going to be tightening down the nut on the other side of the headstock. And there doesn't seem to be any runout so I'm not sure how much i could tighten them down without causing binding. ...which is why I'm asking about other options. They may just be cheap bearings. In which case replacing them with new cheap bearings is not going to be much of a solution.

I can try to get vevor to upgrade them but im not sure how that'll go. Which is why I'm wondering whether i may actually have to upgrade them in the end. Its not something i want to do, but...

What I really need to know is whether this is as serious defect as i think it is or whether Vevor are likely to tell me "no, thats normal. It will settle down with use" or some such.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Adjustment of the nuts at the far end of the spindle to remove excess play is a standard adjustment that should not affect the warranty. It's possible one of the bearing races has seated a bit further into its recess, because it wasn't originally all the way home, or that the adjusters have come loose.

The correct setting depends whether you have ball or roller races on the lathe. probably the former.

See this search of the forum for threads on adjusting Mini Lathe Spindles.

www.google.com/search?q=minilathe+spindle+adjustment&sitesearch=model-engineer.co.uk

Neil

Thread: Adventures in Specialised Glass Machining

02/05/2023 16:22:49

youtu.be/A0bysBIj0FA

and

Thread: Sources of decent quality ER25 Imperial Collets

02/05/2023 16:21:35

I have 3/8" and 1/4" collets as well as my full set of metric collets, for the above reasons!

Neil

Thread: New Author Pack now available!

02/05/2023 15:11:29

Just a note to confirm the pack has been updated for 2023.

Neil

Thread: Alibre - A First Attempt

23/04/2023 23:15:19

Well done Nigel.

I find myself planning a new object almost as if I was machining it.

Thread: Road bridge weight limits.

23/04/2023 19:52:27

Posted by old mart on 23/04/2023 15:46:46:

The other day on my way to the museum, I was overtaken by 4 fire engines in full panic mode. They must have passed over the railway on bridges which were restricted in weight capacity. Do they have special dispensation to overload bridges?

Yes.

Thread: ChatGPT incoming

18/04/2023 10:31:46

Garden advice from ChartGPT:

rose-invert light">

For a heavily shaded garden in South Wales, there are several plants that you could consider. Here are some options:

Hostas: Hostas are shade-loving plants that thrive in moist soil. They come in a variety of leaf colors and textures, making them an attractive addition to any garden.
Ferns: Ferns are another great option for a shaded garden. They come in many different sizes and shapes, and can add a lush, green look to your garden.
Astilbes: Astilbes are a beautiful flowering plant that can thrive in partial to full shade. They produce tall, feathery blooms that come in a variety of colors.
Foxgloves: Foxgloves are tall, elegant plants that produce beautiful bell-shaped flowers. They are shade-tolerant and can add a pop of color to your garden.
Bleeding Hearts: Bleeding Hearts are a classic shade-loving plant that produce delicate heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white.
Japanese Anemones: Japanese Anemones are a lovely shade-loving perennial that produces beautiful pink or white flowers.
Heucheras: Heucheras, also known as coral bells, are shade-loving plants that come in a variety of colors and produce small, bell-shaped flowers.
Hellebores: Hellebores are another shade-loving perennial that produce beautiful flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.

All of these plants are well-suited for a heavily shaded garden in South Wales and can add color, texture, and interest to your landscape.

Thread: Getting started with 3d printers

17/04/2023 15:23:03

I think I will continue to run both a resin and a filament printer. I may replace my Prusa clone, or just rewire all of the hot end to make it more robust. Endlessly shifting cables do gradually fail.

Horses for courses!

The quality of resin prints is amazing though.

Neil

Thread: Seig mill table not flat

17/04/2023 15:19:01

It would best be done on a surface grinder.

Neil

Thread: Useing Citric acid

16/04/2023 23:45:27

Posted by Rockingdodge on 14/04/2023 11:04:47:

What strength do you use for each solution Neal?

I've never measured it, but the answer for me is 'surprisingly weak'!