Member postings for Chris Evans 6

Welcome along Werner from a fellow motorcyclist. Many years ago I had a BMW R50S, a very smooth bike but I was to young to appreciate just how good it was. I now spend my time making and repairing bits for my old bikes.

Welcome along Peter.

I bought a 160mm three jaw from ARC a few years ago. (Zither ?) It was cheaper than new jaws for my Pratt/Burnerd chuck. I must say it is good and runs better than any three jaw I have used the only downside is the action is not very smooth but is getting better with use of around 6/8 hours a week.

I think you have to make a small number of posts then can put a for sale advert on here.

I am a Bridgeport owner but looking for a "Cherry" head not a slotting head. Give a rough location for interested folk to know where in the world you are.

For that type of work I usually favour a centre cutting carbide slot drill on the mill at highish speed. Works well on things like Aldi digital calipers when adapting to a simple readout for the lathe tailstock. Disadvantage of using carbide is if a big chunk breaks off in the hole and gets stuck. Another option is have you got a local firm for wire cut EDM ? These companies mostly have a start hole machine that can burn through hardened steel very quickly, a 1mm hole through 50mm of steel in less than 10 minutes is achievable but positionable accuracy is not that good.

Welcome along Kiran. Do you have any machinery yet ?

I have never used a Myford lathe but really admire the work some people produce on them. They seem to punch well above their weight. For 45 years I had a 1942 Southbend "Heavy 10" that did all I required. When I retired I wanted a bigger lathe because I would lose the ability to take the bigger jobs into work. Sold the Southbend for £100 to help a fellow motorcyclist get his first lathe and bought a used 14"x40" 3HP "Exel" Taiwanese lathe. In hindsite I should have kept the Southbend as well as the new lathe, I have the room and for a lot of second operations the old lathe although well worn would do the job. Enjoy the Myford.

I have used "Traffic Film Remover" a variety of brands available, agitated with a washing up brush. Apply with a trigger spray.

Plus One for spotting drills, I have used them for the last 30 + years. If I do use a centre drill for when the work requires a centre I always shorten the length of the parallel portion of the centre drill to prevent breakage. This tip was shown to me in the first month or so of my apprenticeship 56 years ago. I also agree with the say 8mm drill followed by the bigger one. Running the lathe to fast is a necessity on some small lathes that lack torque but can wear the flutes of the drill.

Can't speak for West Yorkshire but here in the Midlands it was very windy. Branch off next door tree down onto Wifes car bonnet. Just minor damage.

Welcome along Ben, what interests do you have and where in the world are you based ? Do you have any other machines or desires for them ? Ask away for answers to any queries, someone on here will have an answer.

Thanks for letting us Know Jeremy, I am in the middle of the UK so can't just pop round...….

Jeremy, let us know where in the world you are. (County/nearest big town) There may be someone locally willing to help get you started.

Welcome along Paul, as David says let us know your field of interest.

I spent my 50 years working life in toolmaking. About half using imperial and half metric, no problem using either. My home machinery is metric as that is what I found when needing machines. Tinkering around with old British bikes I mainly work with imperial measurements without problems. I do stop and think when sizes come up in centimetres and quickly multiply by ten. Post Brexit will we buy petrol by the gallon again ? Nudging £6 a gallon will make folk stop and think !

Not personally but my brother in law has.The result works well.

Have a look at the Vintage Motorcycle Club's site/shop. You do not need to be a member to buy. I have got nice waterslide transfers on my 1929 BSA Sloper and some to put on a 1932 500 Sloper if I ever find enough parts to finish it.

Welcome along Ian, can you give a bit more info re size of Morse Taper and your rough location. Someone close may have a Morse Taper reamer to clean up your spindle. If not they are reasonable cost to buy.

A myriad of threads have been used by the British motorcycle industry. These include BA and specials like 25 TPI on early Douglas machines. BSA used Whitworth/CEI with mainly Whitworth spanner sizes but threw in some Imperial A/F as well. Tread carefully on all pre war stuff and look out for kitchen table bodges, when these machines where worth very little anything was done to get the machine working and take the rider to work next day.

I often use 1/4" BSF on motorcycle work. Never had any problem in over 50 years. The class of thread is pretty tolerant of any mismatch.