Member postings for Graham Stoppani

Hi Noel,

saw you sharpening drill bits at the show, a fascinating bit of kit. You always had a crowd watching when I passed by each time, so you were undoubtedly a popular attraction there!

Graham

In addition to what has already been said:

1. When filling an ultrasonic bath with fresh solution run it for ten or fifteen minutes to 'de-gas' the liquid. Why? I haven't the foggiest, but I worked for a company that sold large ultrasonic baths and this is what the experts recommended.

2. A simple test to see if your bath is working correctly. Place a bit of kitchen foil in the solution and run for a few minutes. You should be able to see a number of pin holes punched in the foil.

I use a cheap bath and it is very noisy.

Graham

I was MD of a chemical manufacturing company supplying the aerospace industry amongst others. Most of our products, if left unopened in their containers, had an indefinite shelf life. However, some of our customers insisted we gave our products a use-by date. We were happy to comply.

In some cases where product had reached its use by date we would, at the customers request, remove it from their site and replace it with new product. They would be charged for the removal and for the new product. Rather than sending the old product to landfill we would either revalidate and repackage it ready for sale once more or rework it with the next batch of product.

As an accountant by trade I was rather fond of use by dates...

Graham

I replaced the four bearings (two taper, two ball) in my Warco Minor in 2019 at a cost of £39.84

Although I don't see any evidence of this in the pictures of your bearings, when I dismantled my mill after buying it I found the top taper roller bearing was running completely dry as all the grease had melted and made its way down to the lower taper roller bearing that was very well lubricated.

Use a high temperature lithium grease as already suggested to avoid the same happening to you.

Graham

Ditto

At the moment most of my drawings could be done on the back of an envelope (and have been!) as they are exclusively for my own use for machining purposes. However, there have been a few times when returning to them some time later I wasn't entirely sure of my intentions at the time! I decided it would be a good idea to record them properly from now on. Plus I'm enjoying making the drawings for their own sake.

regards

Graham

Thanks for the suggestion, I've just bought a used copy of the 3rd edition for £6.04 off Amazon.

The 5th was a bit pricey at £46.28

regards

Graham

I use QCAD as my 2D CAD program for creating drawings of parts I make in my workshop. I purchased the PDF book that accompanies it and have "Workshop Drawing" in in the Workshop Practice series.

Can anyone recommend any books to help me improve my skill levels in terms of either drawing exercises to carry out or guidance on currently accepted methods of displaying features such as screw threads? The Workshop Drawing book was published in 1988 I'm guessing things may have moved on a bit since then!

TIA

Graham

Possibly try using a Dremel, if you have one, to CAREFULLY cut a small groove in the metal ring to relieve some of the pressure before trying to lever it out.

This is almost too simple but it worked for me when the MT3 taper on my Warco Minor didn't want to release even after some sharp taps on the draw bar which normally works.

I stood on some steps and tried tapping the draw bar again. Worked a charm. Trying to hit things at head level is a lot harder than hitting them at waist level it would seem.

Graham

I bought one of these from ArcEurotrade. In my experience this wedge type tool post is far superior to the Dixon type that came with my lathe.

With my old Dixon type toolpost, even after tightening everything up as far as I dare, the tool would invariably dip down slightly when cutting the work piece because of the amount of play between the tool holder and the tool post. I took my Dixon tool post and holders to a show and compared it to the ones on sale that were no better fit.

The wedge type tool post by its design takes up the slack between the tool holder and the tool post and now the tip of the tool does not budge when cutting the work piece.

As you say, you will need the adaptor. Please note that a tiny bit of facing off may be required to have the adaptor seat properly. This is not because the adaptor is faulty but, according to ArcEurotrade, there are slight variations in ML7 that need to be accommodated. It took me just a couple of minutes to measure and face off to the correct size.

The tool post is notably smaller than the Dixon type on the Myford but more than up to the job, even in my clumsy hands. My only regret is not getting it sooner.

my thanks as well

Graham

That looks like a Potts vertical milling spindle. Google it and see if it matches what you've got.

I dare you to keep me away!

No problem, missed that you already knew that.

Login now instantaneous.

The Magazines section is not working for me. I provide my email address and new six digit customer number and get the message that it is incorrect. However, the link to classicmagazines.co.uk works fine with the same details.

On the subject of round to square, this video may be of interest.

I replaced the speed control on my venerable Dremel last year for £3.83 with a pattern part from China bought on eBay. Works well except for the RF interference.

Did I mention that I used to be Managing Director of Turco Products Ltd? Manufacturer and supplier of paint strippers to the aerospace industry? Not disagreeing with what you say, just keeping it simple for the OP.

Talking of favourite motorcycle photos:

Ruben Xaus, knee down, sliding and spinning the back wheel - while giving a thumbs up.

This to me is the visual expression of Hunter S. Thompson's words,

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”