Member postings for Jon Lawes

Most places won't match amazon due to their selling practices. I agree with paying a fair price for things but most people still have a mortgage to pay; if we push too hard on the smaller companies to match the bigger ones buying with the economies of scale they will be killed off and remove all choice from the market place.

I think they were quite good in matching you once, let alone entertaining a second attempt.

Our local Skoda dealer was called Clist and Rattle.

A good point well made

Thank you Bill, I am a member over there, I shall try there shortly and compare the notes from here.

I'm looking to incorporate top feeds in a boiler but don't want the spindly top feeds you often seen on the tops of 3.5" Britannias and such; they look great but I don't think my machining is quite of the required standard. As a result I figured a standard clack into a threaded bush (as per many backhead clacks) would be my best bet, albeit up higher on the side of the boiler.

How much angle from the vertical do we think a clack will tolerate before needing the assistance of a spring to close? Is it worth making them with a small spring anyway just to improve their efficiency?

I know some of this has been covered before but not this specific question, sorry to those who may have seen it all before.

As noted in other threads, LR44 don't like cold workshops.

I had no idea that modern train toilets were still releasing onto the track until quite recently. Must have been an additional horror for the track workers to face

Can't you google the answer?

June,

No apologies needed, I was merely giving my perspective.

As for Bill not posting I have to disagree; his posts are often interesting and sometimes start enlightening debate. Having lots of different opinions being aired is no reason for him to withdraw from the conversation. I certainly don't think he has any more or less to offer than most of the members here.

Just like 99% of the members on this forum, his perspective and knowledge is what gives us such an interesting place to have an informed chat. Disagreements are normal and usually sorted amicably!

Jon.

I've written a couple of books of variable quality. Most publishers of books of this type tend to pay around £1.50 per copy sold, but that varies a lot depending on how well known you are, how broad the market is etc.

I've got another book idea lined up but to be honest I've gone off the idea of spending 18 months to a year writing something, knowing full well that my sales will be severely dented as soon as people start sharing bootlegs. What's the point in putting in the work if people will steal it rather than pay for it? I can't pay the mortgage with good wishes.

I don't think I'll ever know everything about a subject. However if I did I'd never proclaim I did for fear of being considered obnoxious. The only subject I know definitively is the Dunning-Kruger effect.

I've always liked the mechanism inside an automatic centre punch. Maybe that sort of design would work here.

The gentleman is a Guru, I'm sure we will find out shortly.

No matter how slow and careful I try to be mine always end up looking like a randsom note.

As before, don't rush to bin it. Firstly a Myford Vertical slide is not a cheap attachment, and secondly it gives you the ability to do basic small milling tasks in the lathe, so binning (!!) or selling it will only reduce what you can do with your new investment.

You know your own needs better than anyone, but I would suggest you seriously consider keeping hold of the gears and the four jaw; I reckon you may find you need them sooner than you think. Losing the ability to screwcut really reduces the amount of projects you can get to grips with. I didn't think I'd do much but I reckon I do it every couple of months or so now.

The four jaw is invaluable for holding square or odd shaped stock, or even just getting round objects properly true (something that a 3 jaw is not brilliant at). That may not be an issue right now, but who knows what little jobs may lurk on the horizon....

I agree. Also things are available at various price points to suit most pockets but obviously quality control will tail off at the cheaper end of the market. I can't afford the top end equipment but am able to machine up some of the loose tolerances on some of the kit I buy (either worn and second hand or some of the indian made equipment which has a slightly more cavalier approach to quality control) which makes it affordable to me. Some things I don't scrimp on of course.

Welcome Gary, this is a great resource for information of just that type. One tip; it's quite an old forum so you may find your questions have been asked a few times before, worth searching first!

Tri Leva is a lovely lathe, I think you'll enjoy it.

Don't make the mistake of looking up the lyrics at work (no sound on my pc). I may be in trouble now.

Typically the words NSFW are used to indicate when a post is Not Safe For Work; this is one of those times.

The men who will not be blamed for nothing did a song called Brunel.... its good, but maybe not one for a quiet evening...

Tenuously, Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull? Or even Heavy Horses....