Member postings for mark brockley

I know this is now an old post but I have seen the for mentioned book along with a book I think called the tool makers air gun. Is it legal to make your own gun ? I now there is a power limit in the uk 12ftp for a rifle but do remember an article the other year saying the powers that be wanted to licence the purchase of engineering equipment to combat illegal guns. I think this was regarding the conversion of imitation guns though.

Hi Dave

I think the 5M730 belt is the one to try it will be a lot less strain to change on my fingers and more importantly the belt !

The bearings will probably have less of a hard life as well.

The replacement belt was a genuine gates so at least I knew it wasn't a cheep copy. Cant be sure of the original on the lathe though.

I am concerned on how tight the belt is to change speeds with the tension leaver in the slack position I cant see any way to reduce the tension the idler gives to the belt.

I have been told the belt size has changed but that's ok. I am doubtful the layout of the position of the idler and pulleys have changed but who knows.

That's an interesting point Jason the instruction manual supplied with the machine has no information on belt size !! and looks different than the link you have given.

I have been informed that belt sizes changed and have had to e mail customer services with the problems I am having.

Will see what they say.

I did check the pulleys for burrs and polished them. The lathe is a Chester 920. The first belt just snapped with no warning at all just a noise like a rifle going off.

This second belt has 2 splits in it I will try and get a pic of it.

I will get in touch with Chester and see what they say as I have only had the lathe 3 months.

The lathe has a ''clutch'' lever to de tension to start and then tension it up for running. I do think it is tight so with the new belt I bought I am leaving it in the start position as it is not slipping and to me feels tight enough.

I will contact the company next week but am disappointed with things so far.

I will check out the tension calculator cheers.

Yes your right they are pollyflex not sure about them on washing machines but guess they will be

Has anyone else had problems with the modern drive belts used on new lathes ?

Just under 3 months ago I replaced a small lathe with a brand new bigger machine. It has a bigger swing than my ML7 but is about the same length of bed. It is driven by a gates 5M710 belt .

Within 1 week this belt snapped after only a couple of hours. I was sent a replacement and I purchased a second at £16 !!!!

The lathe hasn't been used in 3 weeks due to health but the last couple of days its been used for just over an hour.

The V belt is cracked in 2 places and only held together by the fibber reinforcing .

I have an ml7 and yes that will stall but the motor while getting hot after a few hours takes the heat but guess it is always running at a constant speed and the pulleys take care of speed so the fan does its job.

Did consider a second fan tonight especially as the motor is tightly encased so air circulation will be poor. Thanks for the info Paul its always good to get another persons thoughts.

I am thinking of rebuilding this lathe and selling it as I have seen a slightly longer bed lathe with better swing and a good speed range via pulleys.

Does anyone have issues with variable speed lathes and the motors burning out ? Just cooked my second in 18 months. Drilling holes of around 15 mm and if it grabs can stall the motor. I did start small 4mm and worked my way up.

Thanks again Jason I have had another thumb through the book and seen now the reference to soldering the plates in. I have realised after a search that finding hens teeth may well be easy compered to bronze bolts ! Your guidance is appreciated as this is my first big steam project and first boiler build.

Mark

Thank you for that information. I have located my nearest / easy to attend ME club and will discuss with there boiler tester. Instead on the 3.5mm holes what do you recommend instead ?

Can anyone advise I am starting a build of Minnie using a combination of the metric plans available and LC Mason's book. The plans say use m4 bronze with a stainless steel spacer. Could I use stainless all thread ?

Thanks will keep that in mind and ask before I have a go at it. Doubt it will be this year. Will also keep an eye out for he book as well.

I thought I would struggle to find a Foden Jason thank you for all the links they give me some ideas. I will try and convert a small plan set I think. I am a relative youngster so have a good few years yet so the Foden can wait for now. I found on line the metric Minnie so that's worth considering. When I can Neil I will get it made and send you the pics.

Thanks all I am more into the idea of a traction engine eventually and would like it to be a Foden due to family links several generations ago to Foden. I have found a plan on the net for 2 simple stationary engines and made a start on one. My background is as a clock maker so anything involving clocks goes down well. I intend to make the depthing tool shown in the last 2 MEW.

Can anyone give me an idea on where to find kits and plans in metric ? I know you will all say its easy to convert from imperial but after a stroke some years ago I prefer to stick to metric.