Member postings for Hollowpoint

Anything from Aximinster, Warco, Chester etc is a backwards step IMO.

A couple of Myford Super 7 Connoisseurs would probably be your best option.

I'll 3rd that. I bought some centre drills from them a while back and they were the crappiest quality drills I've ever seen! They literally had cracks running lengthways down the drill starting from the tip, appalling quality and potentially dangerous.

The best quality/price ratio I have found to date is Osborn from GBR engineering, very good quality for the money!

Edited By Hollowpoint on 29/04/2023 07:36:43

There is one other thing that I've experienced.

I presume that you drilled the hole in the lathe? Very occasionally when drilling in the lathe the drill bit will deflect or "wander" a small amount and be pulled ever so slightly out of true, leaving a hole that isn't square to the part.

This is most common when a part held in a 3 jaw chuck is centre drilled, then released from the chuck for whatever reason before being re tightened and then drilled.

The tap won't then follow the wonky hole because it is much more rigid.

Edited By Hollowpoint on 16/04/2023 11:12:16

Could be any number of things.

Worn/damaged tap

Out of spec drill bit size

Chips not clearing

Misalignment of tap in hole

Have you tried cutting your legs down? 😁

Edited By Hollowpoint on 12/04/2023 09:18:31

Forget it, make your boxes from Jacobs crackers. They actually dispell all moisture from a 2 foot radius. Your tools will be lovely and dry.😋

I know quite a few of you guys attend Newark autojumble regularly so I thought I would make you all aware of an incident last Sunday.

I was there Sunday as always with my Dad who sometimes holds a stall to offload some of his tat. Towards the end of the day we were chatting and I was taking the micky out of him for having holes in his pockets, this was after a pen fell out. I didn't think much of it at the time but I have just learned that it wasn't a hole at all but rather a very neatly cut slit the full length of the cargo style pocket on his trouser leg. It's obvious that this was an attempt to steal his end of day earnings rather than some kind of accidental tear. Luckily the thieving scum were unsuccessful and only made away with a shopping list written on a piece of note paper.

I just wanted to share this so that no one else becomes victim.

I believe it was my comment that sparked this debate so I'll give my two pence.

I have a couple of boxes I made from kiln dried English oak which I finished with danish oil and wax, they are lined with felt. I have never had any problems. But then I also keep my tools well oiled and sometimes in plastic bags within the box. I had heard the rusting rumours prior to making the boxes but figured if it was good enough for the countless manufacturers of engineers tool chests it would be good enough for me too.

Far far worse is tools wrapped in paper or stored in cardboard boxes, I have seen hundreds of tools ruined this way. Paper holds moisture. Don't do it.

The majority of my best tools are oiled and stored in thick plastic ziplock bags, I believe this negates the choice of container somewhat.

Perfect opportunity to make yourself a nice wooden box. Oak or walnut, brass hinges and a custom cutout for it to sit in lined with felt. 😎

Edited By Hollowpoint on 03/04/2023 13:49:11

They seem to fetch around £500-£600 on ebay for a good one.

Is this a reoccurring direct debit after the first 3 issues? Can't find an answer on the website.

This will be useful to me. I have a steam engine with several parts missing, including the piston and cylinder. I can use this to work out how to make the best replacements. 🙂👍

Forget boxed sets.

Buy them individually starting with the most common sizes, if you search ebay you will find lots of new old stock taps and dies from the very top brands (Dormer, SKF, Presto, Hall, Goliath etc) at reasonable prices. Don't worry about them matching, who cares? You can then fill in the gaps with cheaper ones.

My go to brand for new taps and dies is osborn / europa tool. They seem to offer the best quality/price ratio. The higer end HSS presto ones are decent too.

Edited By Hollowpoint on 21/03/2023 09:58:32

I often find that unusual switches use a custom mechanical housing with the actual switch behind being a common off the shelf part. Take a photo of the back, and if here is any numbers printed anywhere note those down. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was a couple of bog standard parts.

You might be able to do it freehand with enough leverage, maybe try a thin knurl on the end of a very long handle in a similar way to how metal spinning is done.

Just tested mine, they tally with everyone else's measurements.

I have 2 unused dead centres, the shanks are 7.185mm and the shank on a as new revolving centre 7.190mm. Measured with a M&W micrometer which I know is very accurate. 🙂

Another YouTube link here for anyone interested.

Im at the show. Roads are fine. Plenty of people here.

I live in Leeds so not too far away from Harrogate. There is a couple of inches of snow on the ground at the minute. Im going to attend today but it's looking like tomorrow might be better.

Edited By Hollowpoint on 10/03/2023 08:16:17

I think that is a good choice for your use case. It should serve you well.

Since the speed control is electronic on the 90cw, controlled by a potentiometer, I expect rigging up some kind of foot operated speed control will be possible.