Member postings for Stirring Moose

Have now received and tested the Press Parts gun. Took a bit of fiddling and had to deploy the "paper towel over the oil nipple" trick in places but, in the end, we have a winner!

S.M.

Further Update: The syringe method didn't work. Plenty of colour and movement, and did technically oil the lathe... just not the bits I was aiming for! Then tried my luck with the oilers for the headstock. Got one filled quite satisfactorily, only for it to deposit its contents in short order all over the outside of the bearing housing as well as the inside. Thus the sum total product of my Myford-ing so far is an oily mess. Still, I didn't get where I am today (wherever that may be...) by giving in. I have followed John F's suggestion and bought a Press Parts oil gun which I hope will arrive tomorrow. In the mean time, I will attempt to impose some order on the headstock oilers.

S.M.

Thanks for the further welcomes.

As to my "panel beating past" it's actually very much a present and hopefully a future as well. I started off shaping the odd bit of sheet metal just as a hobby. A friend saw what I was up to and suggested I made some bits to stick on eBay. After being initially sceptical about the possibility of actually selling anything, I gave in and listed a couple of things. These sold so I repeated the exercise and to cut a somewhat lengthy and involved story short, I now have my own business making sheet metal parts. Most of what I produce is for motorcycles; fuel tanks, seat units, mudguards etc., although I do sometimes make parts for cars and occasionally venture completely "off piste" into metal art and jewellery work. I am basically self taught, although the fact I did it in the era of YouTube means this has not been quite the mission it might once have been! If anyone has some time to waste and wants to see what I get up to, I can be found lurking in the following bits of social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dtrpp

Twitter and Instagram: @DTRMetalArt

As to question about whether I'm interested in old cars, the answer would be a definite "Yes!", although the reality is that any mechanical object that moves is likely to get my attention. Cars and motorcycles are the biggest draw, especially if they're of the racing variety. Also love aircraft, and a good steam locomotive always brightens the day! I could probably waffle on, adding more to the list but will take pity on you all now...

S.M.

Right, update on progress. Er, there hasn't been any; I lost the auction for the Wanner. Next step will be to try to locate and adapt one of the syringes I'm fairly sure I have in stock. If that fails, John F's suggestion looks like it might have possibilities - thanks for that John.

S.M.

Yes we do have a steel stockist in Crediton. They're called Conibear Brothers. They're more into steel framed buildings and other similar "heavy metal" rather than precision engineering supplies. That said, whenever I have needed something that's within their remit, they've been very friendly and helpful, despite the fact I'll probably only be buying in quantities that must barely register compared to their usual work!

S.M.

Many thanks for that John. At the moment my machining is going to be almost exclusively in support of my fabrication work. Would imagine it's quite on the cards that there might be some model engineering going on in years to come though, once the business has settled down and I have a little more time for such things. As and when this happens I will certainly bear your kind offer in mind.

S.M.

Thanks for the welcomes Chris and Neil. I am located in Crediton, near Exeter in Devon. I do know one or two people locally who will probably be able to help out, including one of my school teachers from years ago. I'm sure he might raise a wry smile at one of his little charges returning for further guidance a couple of decades down the line!

S.M.

Thanks guys. Some interesting info. Will keep an eye on the Wanner gun on eBay and might take a punt if the money doesn't get silly. Failing that, the idea about adapting a syringe could have possibilities as I think I might have something similar already lurking somewhere. Time to head for the box marked "crap that'll be useful one day"!

S.M.

I know what you mean. This all started as just a bit of fun for the odd evening and weekend. Am very pleased to say it's all got completely out of hand!

S.M.

Have just acquired a second hand ML7 which I am in the process of getting up and running. One thing I am missing is the oil gun. I have seen for sale on the 'Bay a Wanner 300-1 grease/oil gun which is advertised as being suitable for a Myford lathe. I have seen someone on another thread on here refer to using a 300-1 on a Myford with good results. While all therefore looks positive, my question to those who know more than me about such things (i.e. most people at this stage) is; are there any potential pratfalls I might be overlooking?

S.M.

Good evening!

Please allow me to present the edited highlights of me and why I'm here. I am a panelbeater/fabricator by trade, mainly producing motorcycle parts such as fuel tanks, seat units and mudguards. I have, however, always had an interest in the machining side of things, an interest that has been intensified further by the possibility of doing my own machined fittings for my fabricated work. Finally, someone waved a Myford ML7 under my nose at a more than reasonable price and resistance became futile. Thus I now have a lathe to look after and learn about and find myself, perhaps a little like a new parent, experiencing a combination of elation and bafflement. Therefore I offer apologies advance for any stupid and obvious questions I post on here in the coming weeks and months.

S.M.