Member postings for Grant Nicholas

Cheers Murray! Will start a new build thread when I eventually get round to it. Work and family commitments always seem to be interfering with my garage time....

G

Thanks for the good advice Bob. I am pretty fastidious with my stuff, so plan on taking things step by step with the build and getting it right first time round.

Yes, I am new to CNC and have used the time waiting for the Tormach to do as much research as possible. Feeds Speeds and chip loads was mind numbing, but think I have finally got a better understanding of it now. I am not to bad with Fusion360 and have completed a few 2D CAM stratedgy setups with success. Still I realise there is a lot more to it than completing a simple toolpath. Steep learning curve it is, this world of machining.

Keep us updated with your progress on the Rapid Turn Bob and happy machining!

G

Its finally here! Don't think the 1100 would have fit in my garage..... Will post pics of the build in a different thread.

G

Thats a nice addition to your 1100 Bob. Produced a good finish to. How long did it take to setup on the table?

G.

Good to know John. I spent weeks obsessing over which CNC to choose for my requirements, but the Tormach was always the obvious choice, good support, lots of documentation, and lots good videos on YouTube.

G.

Glad it was not on that one then!!!!

LOL. Fortunately not! Now docked safely at Berth 207 Southampton Harbour. : )

G

Been quiet in the CNC forum so thought I would spark some life back into it with the arrival of my PCNC770.

There it is, in English waters after almost 2 months waiting and the excitement is building.

Needless to say, I have a steep learning curve ahead of me but have had some time to absorb a heap of information regarding operation of the PCNC770, CAM, G-Code, Conversational Programming, Speeds and Feeds (Extremely different to manual milling), Tooling, Workholding and Fixturing.

As I am a total NOOB to CNC I thought it may be helpful not to mention amusing, if I keep this thread updated with the entire installation of the 770 as well as my failures and successes with various operations and projects.

More to come....

G.

Mark, thanks for the heads up, looks like Homebase is the clear winner coming in at £63 for the week! Cheers!!!!

G.

Thanks Gents

Besides a bit of shifting in the workshop, my new Tormach PCNC770 arrives next week so will need to shift it in and out of the garage a couple of times. More on this in another thread.

Thanks for the link Jon, HSS was my other option but thought I might try here first. It may be more economical to buy one at £180 vs HSS £110 for the week.....

G.

Hi Gents

Does anybody in the Surrey/Hampshire area own a pallet jack/pump truck?

I have some heavy kit in the garage/workshop that I need to shift and will probably need it for a couple of days. Happy to collect pay a deposit and collect deposit upon return of the item leaving you £30 for your trouble.

TIA

Grant

Nice Bob. Good price too! Whats the biggest stock you've cut? The blurb states it can cut 120mm Square stock?

Build quality alright?

G.

*Double Post*  Stupid Internet

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 08/07/2016 14:04:09

Like you I am also looking for a Chop Saw. I have come to the conclusion that Bandsaws are just to bulky and take up to much valuable workshop space.

I found these chop saws in the links below. They use Tungsten Carbide Tipped blades so almost no sparks!

http://www.toolstop.co.uk/dewalt-dw872-14-355mm-tct-metal-chop-saw-240v-p7097

http://www.toolstop.co.uk/makita-lc1230-tct-metal-cutting-chop-saw-240v-p6896

Just not sure whether to go DeWalt or Mikita????

Perhaps a member here owns one to give his opinion?

G.

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 08/07/2016 14:21:01

I too have discovered the world of 3D printing. Have a Zortrax M200 myself. A little to closed source for my liking but the results are fantastic.

Download Fusion360. Extremely powerful 3D software along with excellent Youtube tutorials and best part is its free!

G.

WOW! I am always blown away by the time, patience, skill, and craftsmanship that goes into building these Loco's. Well done Ron, she is a beauty, just a shame your camera does not do it more justice. May I ask how long something like this takes to build?

@Geoff - Nice to see there are a few Saffir's on here. I saw your forum name and had a chuckle - Ja Boet!

G

Thanks for all the kind words gentleman. I am extremely honoured you think it worthy of a article in the MEW magazine!

I have just realised how disappointed I am that I did not take any pictures of the steps in the project, I usually do this, but in this case got so absorbed in the build that I did not bother..... oh well nevermind, whats that saying about hindsight......

I shall get in contact with Neil to find out whats involved.

Cheers

Grant

Thanks John!

@Dave. My pleasure! If you like, I could send you the technical drawings for the entire spanner in PDF format?

G.

I do tip my hat to you gentleman that knock out these engines and loco's! Not really my thing, but man, the craftsmanship and techniques used is inspiring!

G.

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 15/01/2016 20:36:20

Hi Gents

I got a set of ER32 collets with the WM18 mill and although it had a collet spanner it did not come with a 36mm spanner for holding the collet shaft whilst doing the collet nut up.

Nice little beginner opportunity to put the Mill to work! Knocked up some drawings in Fusion360 and proceeded with the project.
I used steel for the handle, but only had a piece of aluminium plate for the spanner head. Obviously my concern was the steel handle would simply break out of the aluminium under side load so made a interference fit collar to provide further strength and support.

I thoroughly enjoyed making this little item from design through to the final product on both lathe and new mill.
I know its only a spanner but when I used it for the first time it certainly brought a smile to my face!

G

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 15/01/2016 20:25:03