Member postings for Brian John

What ever I use will probably damage the timber so it is not worth trying. I wanted to see bare timber ; I always thought the felt linings looked very tacky...even when new. The boxes are not valuable antiques

Thanks Michael. I will remember that for next time.

If the box were antique then the felt would probably be glued to the inside of the boxes and drawers with animal (hide) glue. This can be removed with hot water. But if somebody has used a modern glue then what is the best way to remove it ? I want to leave the bare timber exposed if I can get it clean enough.

I would try the hot water first to see how it went.

Does anybody know what this is ?

If the link does not work then try ''industrial machine in a wooden box'' on ebay.com.au

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Industrial-machine-in-wooden-box/273883295206?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D57482%26meid%3D9b9d6bb199774ddc9785f255519d2eb3%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D143340468432%26itm%3D273883295206%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Edited By Brian John on 03/08/2019 09:37:15

Edited By Brian John on 03/08/2019 09:37:41

1. How often should a displacement lubricator be cleaned ie. open the bottom plug and drop everything out then replace with fresh steam oil ? (I am running small stationary steam engines from PM Research and Bengs Modelbau.)

2. I have noticed that there is water that accumulates in the bottom of the lubricator. Should this be dropped out after each run ? Up until now I have been leaving it there with no problems.

Why do so many lathes (like mine) have speed dials that go up to 2000 RPM or 3000 RPM ? When would you ever use such high speeds ?

And if your lathe does become rusty (through a combination of neglect and tropical humidity) then what is the best way to remove it from the ways, lead screw, tailstock and jaws ?

Yes, I have a couple of those small rules too. I use them a lot...all spaced around the work room where I can easily find/lose them !

I have to give a plug for Ozito : all my home and garden power tools are Ozito (except the bench drill) and I think they are exceptional value. They also come with a 3 year warranty. How many things come with a 3 year warranty now ? My brother is a sheet metal worker in Perth and Brisbane and he says he sees a lot of Ozito power tools on worksites even though there is no warranty for professional/tradesman use. The guys flog the daylights out of the tool for a couple of years and then go buy another one. For the price, Ozito are exceptional value.

I have always called it a ruler. I shall have to watch my language in the workshop from now on !

Edited By Brian John on 04/04/2019 10:05:26

I think that is brilliant but any airport officials watching would be horrified. How would they know if it was a bird or a drone ?

Why should the rear tool post give a better result then the standard tool post ?

What are these round indexable tips for ? I don't think I have seen them before today. Photo #6 :

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lathe-Turning-Boring-Bar-Holder-Carbide-Inserts-Wrench-Tool-Cutting-CNC-Machine/183526040156?hash=item2abb01225c:m:m9AhxvNRZPMTTvWQ4OUWqwQ:rk:8f:0

Why did that link not work for me ?

Edited By Brian John on 27/01/2019 04:31:48

I am still reading though : it is all useful information

What is the difference between CCGT 060202 and CCGT 060204 ? Can either be used for machining brass, bronze, aluminium and silver steel ? Are they the equal in size and shape so that they will fit in the same holder ?

NOTE : I thought I had asked this question before but I could not find it using the search box.

Edited By Brian John on 25/11/2017 01:41:51

Gordon : thanks for that. I might order a set of brass nuts next time I place an order with them.

Geoff : the height of the VR1A is 100mm.

Are you asking about the vertical boilers or the horizontal boilers ? They are ''sort of'' my own design made from what I can source from the scrap yard or buy from China on ebay. The vertical boilers are easier to make and produce enough steam for small engines like the one on this thread. I got the idea after building the Midwest Steam wobbler engine and its vertical boiler (no longer available). I scaled it up by about 50% and added a firebox.

The horizontal boilers are more powerful and I found I needed the extra steam pressure to run the Liegende and Danni steam engines. I can give you some dimensions if you need them. I use Mamod safety valves in all my boilers which I buy from the UK.

I know but this kit came from the US so all the threads are imperial. I have a good range of metric socket heads but nothing at all in imperial. I was a bit surprised that the kit came with slotted head screws.

NOTE : the imperial fasteners are quite expensive compared to the metric version. I have been looking on ebay.

Edited By Brian John on 02/11/2017 10:49:30

I have just finished painting and building the VR1A stationary steam engine with reversing link from Graham Industries in the US. It is a fully machined kit and quite cheap. It is not a ''shake the box'' kit but the instructions are very good with lots of helpful photos in the supplied book. I only had one problem with a 2-56 threaded hole which would not accept the screw. Fortunately I had a 2-56 tap on hand to clear things up. (I don't even remember buying that !)  I will post a video of the engine running later. I intend to match it with a suitable size boiler and construct a steam plant but it has to be run in on air for at least one hour. It does run very nicely right from the start.

Edited By Brian John on 02/11/2017 08:06:12

That looks very neat but I am not sure my sheet metal working skills are up to it ! I might give it a go next time.

I have given up trying a find a truly heat resistant paint in this country (in Cairns, anyway). It seems that there are some good products in the UK.

I have finally finished Danni #2 steam plant. The housing for the horizontal boiler gave me some problems as I constructed it differently from the first one. It eventually worked out okay and now it runs well. I decided not to paint the boiler with the heat resistant paint on this one as it turned out to be not all that heat resistant on the first boiler !

(Can somebody fix that video link please ? I do not know why that does not work anymore.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygBLAxskl_U&feature=youtu.be

Edited By Brian John on 21/10/2017 10:07:32

Edited By JasonB on 21/10/2017 10:09:58

I had to wait a while for my brass plates to arrive from China so that I could build another firebox for the horizontal boiler for Danni #2. Almost finished now... I just have to attach the boiler bands. Some of the brass plates (0.6mm thick) were a little bit bent and buckled when they arrived. As they were sent in a small box, then I assume that this happened during the cutting process. I ordered extras so I was able to put these aside and just use the better flat pieces. I might try 0.8mm plates next time but that could make cutting out the curves for the boiler a bit more difficult.

Is there any way to flatten out brass plates once they become warped ?

Edited By Brian John on 15/10/2017 08:04:22