Member postings for larry phelan 1

Bob,

As they say, "Where there,s a mill, there,s a way "!

Many moons ago when I gave up riding motorbikes and bought a van, I wrote to the Motor Tax shower to tell them that the bike was no longer being used, giving them full details regarding the van.

So far, so good !, I received a reply thanking me very much and saying that they would adjust their records.

Great ! until six months later, they wrote to ask why my bike had not been taxed ?

I wrote back explaining that I no longer used the bike, it was off the road as I had already explained six months before.

I then received a letter thanking me for the "update" and assuring me that they would adjust their records.

Fast forward another six months and I get yet another reminder that I have failed my bike !

This time, I wrote back to say that despite trying very hard and even with help from friends, I was unable to drive both the van and the bike at the same time, so I had decided to stay with the van and leave the bike where it had been for the past twelve months.

I heard no more ! I dont even try to understand these people anymore .

Hi Robert,

Yes I bought the machine from new, many moons ago, never had any problems with it. Just wondering where those bits of screws came from. Looking into the top end of the spindle, all I see is a black plastic ring, similar to that found on the side of a new bearing. I dont recall ever seeing any other cover there. I have just tried to see if the plastic ring I see is moveable, but it seems to be just the usual shield for the bearing.

Very odd, to say the least !

Hi Robert,

Thanks for your swift reply.

Yes, my machine is a Chester Lux, but when I look at the top end of the spindle, all I see is a plastic ring around a bearing, but no screw holes. The bearing is recessed below the level of the gearbox housing, but I think this was only to locate a cone like cover to prevent dirt from falling into the spindle. This cover was never screwed in place, just lift off/lift on.

Good morning all,

The quill on my Lux mill seemed a little stiff at one point recently and I thought it might be just grime or such, but it was clean enough, so I had a look at the spindle, from the top down, to see if there was anything wrong there.

To my surprise, I found three small pieces of what seem to be chewed up screws, about 5mm I think, sitting in the keyways of the spindle. I removed them, but have no idea where they came from, although I suspect from the gearbox.

Has anyone come across this before and does anyone know how to get at the inside to check ?. I suspect I may have to remove the motor and gearbox cover in order to see what,s happening, not something I,m looking forward to !

I think these screws may have been grubscrews holding gears in place, just a guess, so I am not keen to use the machine until I sort it out.

Any help or advice greatfully appreciated.

Maybe because Old School has been around the course before ?

As you say, it works both ways.

Glad to hear you got sorted out.

It might be a good idea to see about fitting your die holder with a guide bush, to help it stay true on the job.

Think about the holders used for pipe threading.

I made such a holder a few years back and found it so good that I never bother with my "proper" stocks now.

This one takes four different size bushes 6,8 10 12 mm, but could take whatever you want.

Also, I never use solid dies, only split ones.

Just my pennyworth !

Hi Brian,

Remember that if you repeat something stupid enough, often enough, people actually accept it !

Quite surprising what some of these small machines can do.

My bandsaw is a cheapy Chinese "junk" model, which for some unknown reason, is still going strong after 20 years [maybe I got a dud ] The size and type of work it handles never fails to amaze me. I dont know how I got along before I bought it [OK,I do, but prefer to forget it ]

I think any of those little saws would be a great asset to any small shop, there comes a time when you just want to hang up your faithful hacksaw. All you need is a good bi-metal blade and you can sit back! Perfect !

Anyone fancy a beer ?

Thought not !

Regarding your backplates, nothing wrong with that method, it,s the way I made mine, teeny bit at a time.

Result---snug fit !

I do have a set of those gauges [how good they are is another question ] but I dont remember the last time I used them, never really got the hang of them.

Regarding your backplates, nothing wrong with that method, it,s the way I made mine, teeny bit at a time.

Result---snug fit !

The good old hammer rules OK !

Hi Mark,

No need to sell your lathe, the answer is simple !

You just need a bigger workshop !

I have many things like that which just followed me home, and I dont have the heart to turn them away.

Looks like you got a useful piece of kit.

As my Granny used to say "T,is either a feast or a famine" !

If any subject is needed to stir the pot, parting off will do it !!

I did a similar job some time ago, using a chuck mounted on my rotary table.

Set the saw height by eye, made a cut across the blank, then turned it 180 deg and made a second cut.

Any error was soon revealed and corrected.

Could use a collet, might be kinder to the screws.

No DRO to hand, dont have one, dont want one.

I seem to remember reading a Post many moons ago, regarding a man and his young son who tried to join a Model Engineering Club. When they explained that they were not interested in building railway engines, they were quickly ignored. Needless to say, they got the message !

Not everyone likes to play with locos, there are other things in life, equally interesting. Clubs need to see this and cater for it before their club dies, which it will. Since there are no such clubs in this quaint little land, this is not a problem, we just do our own thing. I did find the same attitude in other clubs, swimming/cycling, ect over the years, where a large membership was welcome, in order to pay for the hire of a pool for the benefit of those who wished to train for racing ect, but were otherwise ignored. Like someone else said, I just walked away.

Peter, Perhaps the 300mm refers to the length of the drill, not to the dia ?