Member postings for Chris Evans 6

Duncan, probably me or my lack of computer skills but the link only shows text and no pictures. I was interested in the Vee twin Velo I think it could be a local bike to me. Built by a member of my VMCC branch, is the bike on the link painted in green ? Chris.

My machinery handbook is from around 1st world war times, (cant be bothered to go and look for date). My most used book is a copy of Fowlers machinist and engineers pocket book fro recent times printed in 1933.......

You can never have enough light on a mill. I once made my living as a "Die Miller" in the Injection mould trade, first thing we did with a new machine was to fit extra lights.

I buy offcuts from a local steel stockholder, depending on who serves me when I have found a suitable piece (which can be a few visits) the prices vary. On occasion I get lucky and someone will look at the piece and ask for say £10/15. Others will put it on the scales or calculate the weight and then give a cost. Last time I was given a cost was £30 on an invoice or £15 cash. Cash is King ! Having got to know the people at the stockholders does get favours where they will set up a saw and cut for me. This saves me hours over using my "Donkey" saw at home.

" If you wanted better pay and promotion switch to management" Only true in some cases. I managed a toolmaking company for 25 years. If I had remained hourly paid I would have earnt a lot of money as it was I was doing well over 60 hours a week for a steady salary/ company car and private health care.

Grrrr. they sound like hairdryers. As an ageing Rocker I still hate the things !

Really what I could never understand was the whole mirrors and lamps thing, as Neil says most of the guys riding them in "Period Dress" are old enough to know better. But the world is a big place and room for all.

Welcome Eoin,

If you ever get up North the Locos in the Ulster transport museum in Hollywood are worth a look. Sounds like you are a very busy guy though.

Why complicate a simple job ? Plasticine and a pin to make an "Industry Standard" sticky pin is all that is needed. I have seen them used on a jig boring machine to pick up lines when we could not fit an Icky ball to the job. You will certainly be within a couple of thou.

Brian, PBR that is a blast from the past. I used to buy wheels for work from them over 20 years ago. Didn't think they where still going.

I used a Triumph 2000 at work before I retired, I was not a full time turner as it was a jobbing shop most of my time was on a mill or spark erosion machine. The Triumph was a nice machine to use, worn when I started there and completely knackered 15 years later when I left. Typical of a lot of companies they would not spend any money on the machines to keep them in good order.

Peter, Esher is not on my radar for chrome platers. I am Midlands based.

Shaun, those yolks make me think of a lot of wasted hours, I have now made three sets for a mates Triton. He keeps changing the forks, latest and last is to use forks with a twin disc set up.

Welcome along Andy, lots of knowledge on here.

Where are you in the country ?

Lots of import "Deckel" style cutter grinders offer R8 collet versions. I keep a few 5C square and hexagon collets for the lathe, I can see a use for them in R8.

Buy any "DIN" 68 spec oil and use it in the head and slideways. Lots of lathes use "DIN" 32 oil in the headstock.

You may well just get away with turning a/some plug gauges, then a combination of "Feel" and engineers blue should get you to where you need to be.

Lots of shaft to pulley/sprocket applications where an accurate taper is required.

Welcome Dude, enjoy the lathe.

I concur the flexible blades are the work of the devil to try and cut something straight. Allhard just work.