Member postings for Chris Evans 6

From what I can see in your unloading picture it is a "Varidrive" machine. I have one of these running from a VFD at 230/240 Volts.

I have used them in the past, always good service.

I use R8 and Clarkson on my Bridgeport. R8 for light and accurate work and Clarkson ( 2 chucks 5/8" and 1" capacity) for heavier work where there is a risk of the cutter pulling down. It helps having a good number of screwed shank cutters and a cutter grinder to keep the mill fed. If you go the ER route consider a bench mounted fixture for tightening the collet nut, Bridgeport brake's are sometimes poor to stop spindle rotation even in back gear/low speed range.

A Leicestershire company "Andmar" may be able to help.

Living in a rural area I can appreciate you woes. At best my broadband speed is 1.8 and mobile signal very hit and miss. Recent activity by Open Reach means we may get fibre within 5 years. So many websites now use two factor authentication we are really missing out on the city dwellers "Normal" life.

Living in a rural area I can appreciate you woes. At best my broadband speed is 1.8 and mobile signal very hit and miss. Recent activity by Open Reach means we may get fibre within 5 years. So many websites now use two factor authentication we are really missing out on the city dwellers "Normal" life.

Pre-war BSA motorcycles use mainly whitworth sizes with some odd ball A/F including the above mentioned 25/32"

Welcome along Rick, I am more into pre-war bikes and no model making but the forum is great for any engineering questions. Do you have any machinery yet ?

I would try removing one at a time. They may be for workholding during manufacture and could be discarded or modified to sit below the surface. They may be there to keep the holes clean ?

When |I was working (toolmaker) this was a daily task. Made easy with a shadograph with resolutions from 10 to 1 up to 100 to 1. Where are you located ? There may be a local company willing to let you use their kit or measure for you for a tea fund donation.

I got a speed awareness course going 6 MPH over a 30 limit. Fair cop I was speeding, on the course the people running it asked. "How far do you need to travel at 80 MPH instead of 70 MPH to save 10 minutes ?" The answer shocked me, it is 100 miles. I don't say that I now never go over the limit but am more aware and respectful of the limits which means the courses work.

Newall on the lathe an Heidenhein on the mill. Would not want to work without them. Biggest advantage for me is speed and confidence more so on the lathe for ease of setting say the length of a bolt or spindle. Face off zero the axis and set the saddle stop to distance required, no faffing and measuring required.

Welcome along Neil, the Cowells is a fine machine. I get to Northern Ireland a couple of times a year for the Motorcycle racing and visiting the wife's family.

Welcome William, your post prompts the question are Mamod still trading ? They used to be made in Burntwood West Midlands not far from me. I have a Mamod stationery engine that has not steamed for many years. Chris.

Plus 1 for Purbright for the iron castings, only 25 miles from me. Not sure re bronze, never had any done. Last aluminium bronze I had done was by a foundry in Kingswinford West Midlands. Foundry name escapes me I will post it if I remember.

I cheat and take my heat treatment to my last employer to run in with their work. They always refuse payment so I put a few £ in the tea kitty.

Welcome along Ralph,  I have heard of a bed re-grinder in the Midlands but not had to use one.

Edited By Chris Evans 6 on 11/12/2021 09:41:35

All the best for the square four restoration, I would not like to tackle an old bike rebuild without my lathe and mill. Keep asking questions as you come across problems, the friendly bunch on here will get you sorted.

Welcome along to the forum Paul from another motorcycle tinkerer. 1929 & 1932 BSA Sloper's keep me entertained, I am a long way from Barnsley to help but good luck with your new machinery. Any questions just ask, someone will know the answer.

Chris.

I've worked in some very high end toolmaking places where we chased the tenths to achieve maybe half a thou overall at best. Only one place was temperature controlled. we all had "Tessa" and "Shardlow" micrometers but day to day standard Mitutoyo stuff was good enough. To this day I prefer to read an imperial depth micrometer rather than a metric one.