Member postings for not done it yet

I'm back from a Scottish mountain (with very, very limited internet connection!).

I've pulled it apart for a good clean up and repaint.

Anyone any suggestion for sizing a stepper motor to drive the cross feed, please? (Or would a timed switch on be good enough for such a simple application?) It is easy to wind all the way across with the 24 tpi feed screw, so likely some scope to tighten the gib screws a bit.. Close enough to one millimetre per turn in metric. I'm a numpty where new fangled tech is concerned, so any sensible suggestions would be appreciated.

NDIY

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to take it to my local fabrication welder fellow, to see if he can weld it up as I am not expert enough to weld cast iron on a one-off such as this.

Have you removed said motor and compared foot dimensions with a list like on engineeringtoolboxdotcom?

Have a look at the recent outbreak of shaper threads. One might could suit your needs, if they are limited to straight line cutting.

Studs or theaded rod?

As usual (like the current woodruff/straight key thread), I suspect it is 'horses for courses'. Likely each situation requires a little thought, at least before changing the designed item.

For instance, in the case of cylinder head fittings the studs usually have different threads on each end. A coarse thread into the cast iron and a finer thread for the nut (for extra clamping force at a given torque setting). Studs like this remain in situ when the item is dismantled, thus no clamping is done by the thread in the cast iron.

Waisted studs can be used where the material is stronger than the metal to which it it is fixed? Clamping nuts on these can also achieve the required force with less stress on the items, along with better fitting location.

Bazyle,

The comment was specifically in reply to the Adept shaper offerings on epay. They are the common over-priced offerings I have seen. I thought a ton was too much for the one I bought - at the time. You would have got it, had you bid on it.

eBay ripoff! I got mine for less than a pony

And you need to be very selective. Some are expensive boat anchors, or needing a lot of work to get them in a sensible state for working.

our job is to make things,not just buy them in.

Your choice but it is only a tool. I just bought a shaper; or should I have made one instead?

If I wanted an elevating barrow (guessing here a sack barrow arrangement) I would be going along to farm sales and find a decent one at a sensible price.

The efficiency of automotive alternators is pitifully low - less than 50% when warm. Weight is more important than eficiency where vehicles are concerned.

Yes, another one. That makes three, so likely a few more hiding in some more workshops.

It has the auto feed direction change handle, at least.

It has far more paint than mine, so is likely in better fettle than mine.

Do you know the originator of the advert?

I've got one of the two known by lathesdotcodotuk.

Mine is not quite the same as the one shown at:

http://www.lathes.co.uk/alexander-shaper/index.html

It has none of the auto-feed parts although the casting is the same. No maker's details either.

Soo, are there any more to 'c

ome out of the woodwork'. The base is unmistakable, I would think.

The smell is more due to the 'smelly additive' (a safety measure as propane does not have a smell for us humans). It must clearly not all be evaporated before the gas bottle is empty, so has a slightly lower volatility and remains in solution until there is very little liquid propane in the bottle. The pungent smell is sulphur dioxide.

New diesels are all fitted with a DPF (diesel particle filter). The problem is apparently the nano-particles which can clearly pass through the smallest of filter media available, for the flow rate envisaged. Oxides of nitrogen are not affected by any filter medium - they need a 'cat' in the line to convert them to nitrogen and oxygen. The oxides of nitrogen emissions were the ones that VW were caught out on.

There are several thinners/paint removers which would do the job. The item is clearly not oil based, so try a cellulose or universal paint thinner. Plenty on the net or from suppliers, I would think. Even Li*l. Look on the tin - there may well be a list of the sovent or suggestions for cleaning brushes.

Might even be water!

Edited By not done it yet on 05/08/2017 17:45:10

There is sooo many peculiar ideas on this topic.

If you want to convert gas to leccy, get a fuel cell pack. Expensive but 65% efficient. Look up "Ceres" fuel cells or search out the relevant "Fully Charged" U-toob vid.

Grid energy from wind or PV does not have a fuel cost. Yes it is subsidised, but likely no more than the dirty fossil fuel burners where the clean-up costs are ignored. So what is the grid efficiency for renewables?

Energy efficiency meters have been around for years. Smart meters are different. Sending back readings (likely at your cost) at any time or times can/will provide the suppliers with more information than you might think - like when you turn on the kettle, per eg.

If this posts it means that I cannot post by simple 'copy and paste'

Nowt to do with browser cache, but maybe something to try to prevent spammers?

I make copies to the clipboard because posts disappear so easily (keyed in a reply to Howard and XD about 5 times now over a couple of days)

Yes, it is part of a completely manumatic Alexander. I bought it to try out a cheap shaper, not knowing what it was, while looking for a Drummond.

Having trouble repying, fellas.

TEST

Cheryl,

There is a u-toob video by 'the village clockmaker' showing him making a similar peg spacing.

https://m.youtube.com/results?q=village%20clockmaker%20contrate%20wheel&sm=3

So it can be done. Perhaps enquire to a proper clock or watch maker if the clock is worth the ivestment. There is a watchmaker in Stamford, who would almost certainly do it for a price - but likely insanely expensive. I have not used their services, but am told their watches are very pricey!

I make things for tractors rather than this scale.