Member postings for Steve Crow

That sounds encouraging, I'll try the North London branch.

By the way, my late Mother in law worked at Biggleswade Smiths decades ago.

I've noticed that a couple of watchmakers make extensive use of German silver in their movements.

An independent Irish watchmaker based in Switzerland makes an amazing minute-repeater. You can see it be taken apart here (A hammer is used at one point!) -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYwBeiGy_RQ

Also A. Lange & Sohne, a German watchmaker also uses it. There is a factory walk-through here-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGAsib-4mCk

I know that German silver is essentially nickel silver. My question is, is there a "horological grade" of NS or something similar? Sort of a NS version of CZ120?

Also was it ever used much in clocks or pocket watches?

Cheers

Steve

Added another video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt9QPdwu0qA

Cheers

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 18/01/2019 16:59:16

Thank you Michael, some very nice, simple designs there. Such a contrast to the complexity of some others.

It's got me rethinking things again.

Steve

I agree on the cone bearing aspect but the appeal of cutter frame in the book is the outboard pulley.

I intend to use the frame horizontally on the vertical slide and the only way to drive it is outboard. I think ball-bearings might be the only way to go with that.

As regards the spindle book, I'm rather taken aback that a publication (and probably the only work on the subject available) which has been in print for over 20 years can be so flawed. Also, it made me question my own understanding of the subject for the last 3 months!

There must be other cases where published designs are flawed? Maybe there should be a thread warning of such things? People put a lot of time, effort and money into building such designs.

Thank you KB, your reply did indeed enlighten me.

Your description of preload is exactly as I understood it. Since getting the spindle book and studying the designs I've been under the impression that I have been missing something regarding preload but I thought the book had to be correct.

How about the gearcutting frame in chapter 12? With the fully adjustable bearings at both ends, surely this is a legitimate design? I ask as I am just starting to build a slightly smaller version.

Cheers, Steve

Now I am confused!

The drawing is from the Spindle book and a number of the spindles described use this design.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Steve

One more thing I forgot to ask - what's the average thickness (width?) at the bore.

Many thanks, Steve

I've a couple of more questions.

The bearing retention nuts. Is brass ok?

Also, what is the minimum "step" to retain a bearing on shaft? For example a 15mm bearing against a 5/8" diameter is less than half a mm each side. Do I need more meat?

Cheers, Steve

Cheers Roy.

Thank you Jason, I've reread the Spindle book and I like your idea very much. I think I can beef up the housing to 1" and go with slightly bigger bearings. Do you think there is much advantage in a double set of front bearing as in some designs in the book?

Michael, I'm also liking your idea for cone bearings into bronze. Any idea of the best angle for such cones?

Also, has anybody built the wheel cutting frame described in the Spindle book?

Cheers, Steve

Hello,

Does anybody know the outer diameter of Thornton Wheel Cutters Mods 0.5 to 1.0?

Also, are they all 7mm bore?

Cheers

Steve

Just to add - I'm using a 9v battery in the video.

I should make another video using a 1.5v battery - it works fine on a AAA.

Hello,

I've finally got round to making a (low quality) video of my walking mechanism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSllR7m1Zwg

Cheers

Hi Michael,

I did come round to your suggestion but the WW headstock is too big for the very limited space I have.I want to be able to mount the spindle horizontally on the cross slide at centre height as well as on my vertical slide. I only have 23mm from cross slide to centre height. I have a headstock riser block but that just complicates other things.Another problem with the WW is the pulley position would mean getting a drive to it would be a nightmare.

Thank you anyway.

Edited By JasonB on 08/01/2019 11:36:35

Thanks Howard but that set up would be too bulky. I'm looking for something more compact - hence bushes.

Sorry about the weird emoji thing in my post. It's meant to be a bracket.

Hello, I posted on this same subject a few months ago but I've struggled to come up with a compact design using bearings. These are my requirements:-

I want to make an 8mm watchmaker spindle for my Sherline lathe.

20mm dia. housing. (O/D of spindle is 1/2"

Housing no more than 3" long.

To be used for drilling and very light milling/engraving.

Max speed will be 5000 rpm.

How about using bronze bushes? Don't Potts and other spindles use them? Could I use Oilite bearings?

If anyone has any thoughts, advice or designs I would be very grateful.

Many thanks, Steve