Member postings for Grant Nicholas

Hi George

Thanks and I do apologise. I completely forgot to do this and understand the benefits of having everything Warco in 1 place. I have now bookmarked that thread you linked to.

Perhaps a moderator can make a dedicated Warco category as there seems to be a lot of members here with the Warco family of machines?

G.

Edited By JasonB on 04/01/2016 15:50:33

No idea what you're making Jason, but that end mill went through that iron like a hot knife through butter. Will have to get myself one of those!

G.

I am only a beginner myself but have threaded 6061 and 6082 aluminium with good results.

Did you grind a flat into the front of your HSS 60 degree threading tool? It needs to be the exact width of that in the fish tail tool you use for checking angle and getting the tool squared up to the work. If the point is knife sharp then your tool may be digging in creating a ripping/digging in affect in your work?

I found this channel on Youtube (Toms Techniques) both educational and informative.  Worth watching Parts 1, 2 & 3 of this series as well where Tom explains grinding a 60 degree threading tool:

https://youtu.be/f2y36EGHpts

Also worth checking that your topslide has no play in it and you don't have excessive amounts of backlash in your leadscrews.

Like others, I use paraffin for lube.

Some more experienced members will be along shortly to offer further advice.

Good luck.

G

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 02/01/2016 00:41:18

Hi Ian

Its a Axminster Mechanics Multi Purpose Bench Vice. Pretty much the same as the one a Nicholas has linked to. I have had it for just over 2 years now and can confirm that it is a superb vice to work with. Extremely versatile and definitely money well spent.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-trade-vices-mechanic-s-multi-purpose-bench-vice-505555

G.

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 01/01/2016 18:43:32

Happy New Year Neil and to all the other fellow MEW members!! Wishing you many happy hours in the workshop for 2016!

G.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

To finish 2015 off I managed to finally get the new QCTP fitted to my lathe.
Cut up a length of BMS, no bandsaw required here just a bit of old school elbow grease!




Turned down to 22mm, 10mm hole drilled and a 6.7mm hole drilled further up the piece for a 8mm tap.



6.7mm tapped with M8 tap to fit existing stud on topslide.



Work piece fitted to stud to check for fit.



Piece parted off and turned down to 10mm for 1.5mm pitch thread.

The next steps was a baptism of fire! I installed my 4 jaw chuck and placed the round splined Turret body of the new QCTP in the jaws using copper pieces to protect the splines.



I used the inside diameter on the turret to align it in the 4 Jaw Chuck. Fortunately I watched this Youtube video so the process was not to painful:

https://youtu.be/2KMhx4DbyDg?list=PLK1rceD0kKIhofLeXXSjU7Qn6fipJOgvA

I had to then make some shims up for a 8mm boring bar to get work on centre. I set my boring bar 42mm out of the tool post but after a single pass it was clear that I would have to reduce the amount of overhang as the bar was deflecting in the bore.
This was a laborious task and took up much of the day as I had to bore 1 side of the the Turret turn the work around realign and bore out the other side.

Once complete the result was spot on and very pleased that I can now take advantage of the benefits a QCTP has to offer!





G

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 01/01/2016 02:03:34

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 01/01/2016 02:07:36

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 01/01/2016 02:10:43

Edited By JasonB on 01/01/2016 07:58:12

Edited By JasonB on 01/01/2016 08:00:47

Edited By JasonB on 04/01/2016 15:48:32

Hi George

No, the light was extra, figured I would need it in these dark months of the year........

Agreed, I was a little naive making that statement. Funny how Warco never spotted it though as it states on their website that each machine is inspected before delivery...... yeah right!

G.

Got the mill all cleaned up and oiled today along with some inspection and adjustments.

There was some resistance and a droning noise whenever I returned the quill to its home position. This was due to a excessively long bracket which connects the quill to Digital Depth Gauge.

I corrected this by machining it down to the correct length. Doing so also corrected the erratic behaviour on the Depth Gauge readout. Not sure how this passed QC????

G

Hi Norman, my intention was to take pics of the entire process. Strapping arrangement, lifting from van, moving into position in garage and finally final placement.

Unfortunately I was on a time constraint so never had the chance to take snaps. I can confirm that having a hoist certainly made the process a lot simpler and easier.

Only pics I can post up is of the mill in its final working position in my garage.

G

Yes indeed, Happy Christmas everyone. Hope your enjoying this festive season with family and cheesy Christmas Carole's!

G

+ 3!  Don, Colin and Roger are great to deal with. Don in spares is especially helpful and has gone the extra mile to help me out on every occasion. I have the benefit of living in the same village as Don so whenever I need stuff urgently, I simply ring him up, order the required part and he brings it home with him ready for me to collect that evening.

Bought a lathe off them 2 months ago and a WM18 today. Can't beat their after sales service so happy to part cash with them.

G

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 23/12/2015 18:48:35

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 22/12/2015 13:40:01

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 22/12/2015 13:41:15

Hello Gents

Been trying to source a folding engine hoist/crane from HSS, Speedy and Brandon Hire but without any success. Either not available or bloody expensive!

Is their anybody on the forum in the Surrey/Hampshire area (I live in Ash Vale) that is willing to loan me their hoist? Will collect in my van, leave a deposit and give £50 upon return for the trouble.

I need it tomorrow to unload and assemble a 220kg WM18 mill.

TIA.

Grant

Gents

Your advice once again please. This time its on Milling Vice's.

Which one should I get to suit a Warco WM16 Mill with a table size of 700mm x 180mm 3 T-Slots.

Thanks In Advance

G

Edited By Grant Nicholas on 19/12/2015 23:47:13

Gents

Many thanks for all the comments, suggestions, links and advice. The SX3 does look like a very good option, however, my budget will not cover cost of SX3, workstand and tooling.

So bank balance and space in the single garage makes the WM16 a better option and as already suggested, my tooling can be used across both bits of machinery. I would prefer to get the WM18, but realistically I am just a hobby user that will be making the odd tool or part every now and again and feel that this combo will suit my needs perfectly.

Thanks once again!

G

Gents

I have pretty much made up my mind that my WM250 lathe should be complimented with a Mill, however, I am torn between the WM16 & WM18 models.

http://www.warco.co.uk/milling-machines/32-wm-16-variable-speed-milling-machine.html

http://www.warco.co.uk/milling-machines/33-wm-18-variable-speed-milling-machine.html

Obviously WM18 boasts a bigger table with a 3MT spindle and 20mm maximum End Milling capacity as opposed to the 2MT spindle and 16mm End Milling capacity. The motor on the WM18 is also stronger by 350W.

Question is will a upstart like me benefit from it? Am I better off purchasing the smaller model and spending the money saved on a good vice and accessories? Have any WM16 or even WM14 owners wished they had something a little bigger or are you more than happy with your choice?

Like most members here I am simply a hobby user who enjoys the challenge of making something from nothing, I doubt I will ever get into the world of locomotives or engines, but have been known to eat my words........

I look forward to your valued comments.

Grant

I love reading threads on this forum. Everyday is a schoolday! Steve thats really practical and nice idea. Is that a Mill MT Taper with your little mod applied to it?

TIA.

Grant

Thanks Pete! Cosmetically, it would have looked better if all the knurled bits where shouldered/sitting slightly proud. Functionally its spot on, so happy with that.

G.

Finished my first tool for the lathe.

Centre height tool. Happy with the results but could be better.

G.