Member postings for Madhatter

I was merely going by what the agents advertise the unit as, like Michael G said "

What constitutes 'precision' in a general purpose drill vice ?

... or, in this context, is the word just worthless advertising puff ?"

Around a year ago I was here asking opinions regards precision drill vices and I received rather mixed reviews, from links to quality and to not to be a tool tart. Well, in the end I went with the advice of getting a new Soba precision and sadly, Hmmm.

Maybe because of Ocd I find it very difficult to see how this is precision, have a close look at the gallery of images, you shall see that it does not close in a parallel manner, I have even undone the allen keys and added a single sided blade down one side to try and even it up and it was ok for a short while and now it needs at least another adding. I have used it maybe two dozen times.

It holds items ok, it does the job, but when winding it up it is annoying to this occurring from something that is sold as precision.

**LINK**

Apologies, I messed up the links on the site, here they are again, should be ok now.

Afternoon all,

Firstly, many Thanks to all that have assisted me with the wiring and Colin for supplying the on off switch stickers, the star was not in what I would call it poor condition but did have chips to the paint. It was taken back and re-painted but the coach paint which arrived was more creamy than yellow. I have contemplated changing it but since then it seems to have grown on me.

The bed did have the smile of shame and I used JB weld to fill and finish, it looks ok and is adequate for my needs. I also changed the British Made sticker with a water slide one.

The belt is the original Fobco and has virtually no wear so I have kept that, I have also noticed how incredibly quiet it is.

Now, just to make my mind up which vice to get.

Here is the before and after galleries:

Before :

**LINK**

After:

**LINK**

I seem to have started something here, though we are talking of all new tools and the choices are many but nobody has mentioned the vintage ones like Record and such, I am led to believe that their modern stuff is not quite the same caliber of years ago? I do not mind buying vintage at all, imho it fits in well with the Fobco and other machinery.

Many Thanks for your advice, I am prepared to buy vintage of better quality, it is knowing which brands were best way back when?!

I think I may have to go to the machinery fair at Newark. I have bought unbranded, even some expensive brand names have failed, my late father was a highly skilled engineer and made small stationary engines to locks for desks, he always amazed me with what he could do, now he has left us and I am in a different trade, it is now I could use his advice too, so I do come from an engineering background but am somewhat of an older newbie.

Morning, looking for items such as a drill vice and such, I have been pointed to Soba at Chronos, whilst I am on a reasonable budget I have read mixed reviews on them, I do not mind second hand so long as the quality is very good as I cannot be doing with shoddy or make do tools. I would appreciate any advice please.

Now I shall rig it all up to an Nvc... photos of before and after coming very soon.

I have decided to stay with my original plan and use a 240V motor which has arrived, I just wish to run through these connections again only where you say couple mains neutral to 2 and B, then link a wire over to 3, then take C to the motor, but I only have the three wires and two of those are earthed on the body.

Hmmm, I received one quote today £6.50 each plus £4.00 packing + vat. I have tried calling Manchester seals to no avail, I noticed on the G images, someone had refurbished a star up and used what appears to be large cork washers, can't find any of these to suit either. If any one has any other ideas it would be appreciated.

Another probably bonkers question here, I have the Fobco in pieces and when I removed the quill the depth stop bumper-O ring (quill washer) has a split in it and I have spent quite some time searching for rubber washers- bumpers and the like to no avail, not that I am unable to find any, but nothing which shall suit. perhaps it is my Ocd, but the original is flat and I would prefer to replace it with the same if at all possible.

With my vernier the OD is 65.83 mm and ID is 44.76 mm with a thickness of 3.8 mm, there is a slight gap between the rubber and the drill so ideally this could go up to 5 mm thickness.

You would not think a rubber washer of the right dimensions so difficult to source so would appreciate any links anybody may have, please do enlighten me.

Edited By Madhatter on 04/09/2017 23:47:09

Hi,

The background of each label measures 18mm x 11mm, it feels like vinyl with the lettering printed on, they are not raised, they seem to be on a lot of machines on search engine images.

I was merely attempting to keep the star as original as possible, having said that, I used the colour on the machine as a swatch for new paint and it has ended up very light cream and not yellow, looks something like this : **LINK**

And **LINK**

I am half tempted to try and source some that is more yellow, not sure whether the light cream/ivory sits right with me, I have still yet to locate any information as to the original colours used.

Keith, shall pm you.

Excuse the poor photo quality

**LINK**

Hi, I would be grateful if anyone knows where I might source some "On and Off" decals to put on my Fobco Star, it is currently going through a thorough tidy up and has adhesive stickers on and not the round dial in place, I have been unable to find anything suitable.

Many Thanks.

I had contemplated this but I did not really wish to buy armoured cable and all that goes with it, I found VFD's around £130 + shipping for a decent one (though may be looking in the wrong place) and then the additional cost and messing about when I can buy a new Crompton motor for the same, £130-delivered.

Hello,

I have just manage to get myself a Fobco Star and am converting it back to 240V, however, I have been told that I can still use the original 6 spur switch for 240V but I am unsure which terminals to use, I have a couple of photos, on each side there is a bank of three terminals and they have been written on showing 1,2 and 3 and on the other side, A, B and C. Any advice welcome.

I shall wire up an NVR switch on the wall next to the machine but really wish to keep it original.

I am still looking for a suitable motor, the Crompton 3 phase unit looks almost like new so shall be selling this one on or exchange/swap.

Below is a link the the switch photos.

**LINK**