Member postings for larry phelan 1

Mapp unit may not be big enough for the job, you need to get the heat in there FAST.

Two Mapps or better still, Oxy &Acy

There is an old saying to the effect "Horses for courses "

To put it mildly ,I dont think it,s a good idea.

I have a homemade toolpost using those blades, held in place with one long bolt from the cross slide and it works OK.

Hopper, to pick your brains once again. The fingers on my steady have left hand threads, which I find confusing. Is there any good reason for this arrangement ?

Not much new under the Sun, is there ?

Hopper, just reading your answer again, and yes, it is perfectly clear !!

No mud !

My thanks to everyone, I note that using the 4 jaw chuck and a short piece of stock seems to be a good choice.

The reason I favour the 4 jaw is because I find myself using it more these days, due to it being more accurate.

I was using the 3 jaw all along, but was surprised how easy and quick it is to use the 4 jaw, with better results.

I do recall Sparey mentioned about the danger of the work walking out of the chuck

I will practice with a short piece of stock, before jumping in !

My thanks to everyone, you never fail !

They do say "The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune "

Good day, everyone, I wish to pick your brains ,since mine are not producing the answer I want.

My question is about setting up a steady on my lathe to support a piece of 50/60mm bar 600mm long.

I have read that the correct method is to set the work running true in the chuck [4 jaw ] and then set the steady close to the chuck, before moving it down the bed to the required position. OK so far, but how do I support the overhang while I am trying to get the chuck end to run true ? There is a fair weight in a piece of stock that length.

Some say to use a short piece of stock to adjust the chuck jaws and then replace with the job, but that assumes you have a spare piece to hand.

I ask this because I will need to do a job like this soon for a "friend" who thinks I know EVERYTHING, he is sadly mistaken, but I dont want to burst his bubble just yet.

All and any advice welcome.

Could there be a problem with the switch ?

Why not disconnect the motor and supply it without using the switch ?

Dont be surprised if it works ! If the motor was on its way out, you would have known about it before now, I think.

Before anyone thinks this might be the problem with my Miutoyo, it,s not.

have two aldi units which I find good enough for my attempts, however I also have a Mitutoyo which I keep indoors, saving it for better work, if I ever get around to doing any.

I dug it out last week, put new batteries and switched on -----------nothing !

Changed the batteries ,cleaned the connections, came to life, then died again.

Seems to be a connection problem although the batteries appear to be in contact with the spring tabs.

Got fed up messing with it and losing those four tiny screws and went back to my Aldi Special.

Any ideas ?

I bet there,s a floor in there somewhere ???

What,s wrong with angle iron ?

To say that the pulleys are out of line, would be an understatement !

How could you use the machine like that ? That looks like a botched up job.

I would replace the bars if they are bent but also reposition the motor so that the pulleys line up correctly.

Short answer is No, it does not look right.

When drilling holes of that size, would it not make more sense to drill a pilot hole and move up in stages?

When you stop to think about it, it is a fair size for any hobby machine. I have a Craftsman lathe, 1,5 HP but there is no way I would drill 22mm straight off.

Phil P Ideal for the job, I use the same.

Not sure anyone would like to see what,s on my bench !

Come to think of it, it,s a long time since I saw the bench, there,s so much junk on it.

Maybe it,s time for a clean up ?

I think you made your point very well, Nigel !! Sticky fingers ?

Skill do much the same.

If you wish to please everyone all the time-----------------I wish you luck, you,ll need it !

I,m 82, no problem turning handwheels, spanners, or hand tools ect, but the lids on glass jars are another matter !

One would need a hand like a gorilla to deal with them, and dont even mention blister packs !!!!!

Sad to think that you had to let your machines go, I suppose that,s down the road for me when I get old.