Member postings for Chris Evans 6

It would appear that I have been lucky with my cheap caliper. I had a Mitutoto caliper with data output in the very early days when they where around £85 late 80s? This was replaced with another Mitutoyo caliper which also lasted well. I bought my Aldi one on a whim and liked the bigger display so the Mitutoyo was relegated to the drawer and then given to a friend. I also have a SIP 12" caliper which works well but does not see the use of the smaller one.

Next time I see one cheaply I will buy another to see if it is any good, if not maybe buy the branded one again.

I am so happy with my Aldi calliper that I gave my Mitotoyo one away. Ok It was old and the display was small but the cheap ones are good enough. Tailstock readout and mill quill read out all from cheap Aldi callipers. Would you spend Mitotoyo money to use them for that ?

They are off a horizontal mill. No idea of the make/model though.

Ridgidity that is the reason why I am making a new cross slide for my lathe. This will incorporate provision for the rear mounted tool holder, along with a new lead screw and nuts should improve parting off woes.

That was one of the first things shown to me when I started my tool making apprenticeship in 1963. We never questioned how it worked, just applied the method of a bit or worn emery cloth.

Plus 1 with Clive, The Bridgeport for me any day, however budget/space/finding one ? Mine is in good order and cost me £2500 with readout fitted. I do not think many will come up on the IOM though they are over there.

I will stick my neck out and assume the bronze bushes will be standard bought in items ? If so available from a bearing supplier, I tend to use Simply Bearings. Other suppliers are available.

I am in the market for another three jaw 160mm chuck to replace the old Pratt Burnerd I have.

I did look at the TOS from Rotagrip and think it is good value. That will be my next purchase when I finish making the new cross slide and lead screw. The lathe should be in top order then.

Just looked on Automotion site, only 26x5 listed price for hex steel nut is <£8.

It may be worth looking at other lead screw suppliers for your size. Chris

Mark, take a look at Automotion Components web page. The thread will be Trapezoidal, they should list a nut at a price low enough not to bother making one. I have just ordered a 1000mm length of 16 diameter x 4 pitch left hand lead screw for <£14 plus vat and delivery. I also ordered a pair of bronze nuts but the do them in steel cheaply.

Andrew/Mike. You are correct it is the vee form not the helix angle, old age and brain fade apply.

We used to cut threads on a Hurco mill with a home made single point cutter very effective to.

Is that lever hanging down for a rapid traverse used for setting up ? I seem to remember using a machine with that facility.

Oh gosh I and J. When I first went on a course to learn how to use a wire cut machine in the early 80s it made my head hurt. It took me weeks to understand it. Most thread milling operations produce a slightly deformed helix angle but not enough to worry about.

It would help if you give the lead screw pitch, then a grown up will be along to advise.

Have a look at some of the people selling motorcycle tank liners. Some do a solution to remove old resin liners before re coating with an ethanol proof one.

I happily took £100 for my South Bend heavy 10 three years ago. It was in reasonable condition but I wanted to let someone have it to learn on.

I use 5C blocks for the hex and square operations. I stay with 5C due to having a full set of collets off my old South Bend lathe. I may start to look into ER stuff soon now the price is right due to popularity.

£345 I have just scrounged a foot of 1 3/4" from where I used to work, the old boss was feeling generous !

Do you have a small sine bar ? I made my own from 1/4 degree to 15 degree then 20/25/30/40/45.

Mine are ground but milled would be close enough for most jobs.

Last set of Guhring drills I bought for work all needed grinding before they would cut. I got the Rep into work to show him and he took them away. He gave me a replacement set that where fine and allowed me to keep the first set to take home. I am still using them 3 years after retirement.