Member postings for DiogenesII

Ha, tiny springs are obviously like buses.. You have another message..

Is this what you are after?;

Centre Finder for use in the Lathe Harold Hall

Fwiw, Taylor & Jones have an excellent "All you ever wanted to know about reamers.." pdf;

taylorandjones.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/31-40_technical_section.pdf

link

..apologies for the clumsy link.. but worth looking at..

Edited By DiogenesII on 20/01/2020 06:56:14

Edited By JasonB on 20/01/2020 07:08:42

https://www.wes.org.uk/content/wesstatistics

self-explanatory?

Looking like you are in a good position either way, Chris - but with no thanks to me .. ..I think he's quite right, apologies..

www.lathes.co.uk/hobbymat/

Roger, Many thanks for the extra views of the steadies - handy to see the base of the Prazi one.

The minilathe one certainly has a more substantial Body-Mass Index - it looks like there's enough "meat" in the base to make for a substantial mounting for the Hobbymat, if one had the means to cut to shape.. what's it made of?

The "traveller" is strikingly similar to the MESAS fixed steady in terms of the casting shape and the "coppery-looking" bronze(?) pins..

Andrew, that's really crisp - Is that over the same former as before (the former former?) ? ..if you have the allowances easily to hand, it'd be interesting to know. I'm in awe of your even flanges .D

Thanks, Roger, certainly looks a much more rigid set-up than the MESAS one.

Now there will be two of us looking for one...

Bottles for recharging air rifles come in at least 3,4,5,7 litre, & larger sizes, usually rated 300bar. They like lightweight ones to carry in the field..

Edited By DiogenesII on 14/01/2020 07:57:38

Emgee, thanks for the correction, I should have researched - now I think of it, I'm not sure I've ever seen one that was made by Prazi.. would love to know if anyone has.. The one illustrated seems to be the most common pattern in the UK.

It'd be an easy casting job, being open moulded..

Gene, it'd be interesting to see what you have/what you wish to know - if any interesting points arise from that, one could then create a new specific thread in response.

Having seen the price of a new set of hard jaws from Rotagrip via Jason's link, I didn't think the price was too bad.. probably only £16-£20 more than a used set..

Hi Chris

If you are talking about your 3-jaw, IIRC it was made by TOS (in Poland, not China) - if it has a single oil-nipple on the front face.. Can you post a picture?

There's a set of soft jaws here - that could be machined - but message this seller first to check that these will fit your chuck - I'm sure he will know, he probably has a TOS body there to check with... He's likely to be your best bet to find a "proper" set of replacements. I have dealt with him before, he is a genuine business based in the Southwest..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-BISON-TOOLMEX-soft-jaws-for-80mm-3-Jaw-chucks-HOBBYMAT-MD65-lathe/333373811085?hash=item4d9ea0a98d:g:mSgAAOSwTW9dsaXH

Hi Gene, it sounds like your lathe came with a useful selection of accessories.

The second part of the article in MEW describes the upper part of the steady, it is in issue 217, p.40

Below are some photo's of the Hobbymat-supplied item. It looks flimsy, but I've never had any problems using it. Also a quick dimensioned sketch made with a view to hacking one out of a piece of 110x90x20 aluminium plate with hand tools and drill press - apologies for it not being a more formal drawing, I hope most of the essential details are clear..

Michael; thanks for the link, the bed stop details most useful..

Gene, aluminium will be fine for the steady, I have one and will photograph/draw as soon as I have time.

It is just a round aluminium casting, lugged and drilled radially with three holes for the pins that support the work, and with a flat "foot" which is secured to the bed with a "U" bolt.. not a very elegant solution, but it works..

The aperture does not have to be bored - depending on the style, most of the body could be made with hand tools if necessary, with only the three holes for the support pins and the flat base requiring accurate drilling or facing, for which they could be clamped to either the top- or cross-slide..

I'll post as soon as I can.. busy for two days, I'll try to steal some time..

Unplug the machine and remove the collar, pulley, gear, and key.

Loosen the rear locking ring and snug the front ring up until play is eliminated at the front bearing - the bearings should not be under load and the spindle should rotate smoothly.

A bar in the spindle/chuck to act as a lever will enable you to check more easily for sideways movement.

Having achieved this, hold the front ring still with the spanner and tighten the rear ring to lock it - it may take a few goes to get it feeling just right - patience is the key!

Replace the key, gear, pulley etc. and test run the machine - it should run smoothly and freely at 2000 rpm, and without getting hot at the bearings (warm after prolonged running is okay).

If it feels stiff, "notchy," or labouring to reach maximum speed, you will have to go back, loosen the rings, and release the bearing load by tapping the back of the spindle towards the tailstock with something soft, such as a piece of wood. Repeat adjustment until satisfied - it sounds laborious, but doesn't take long and is worth doing carefully because the improvement in the feel of the cutting action and the finish on the work are marked on this small machine.

The photo's provided by Nick include the section regarding adjustment of the spindle bearings, such as they are..

I want to see "From the Ram of My Shaper at Full Travel"..

"Do not use Hard Metal Compound (Green Label) on Babbitt, brass, aluminum or bronze. For this work, use our soft metal compound (Yellow Label). Timesaver can be used on any hard metal friction surfaces where accurate fits are required, such as valve seats, machine tool wars, tool room applications, etc. "

..From..

https://ws2coating.com/timesaver-lapping-compounds/green-label-lapping-compounds/

see also..

https://ws2coating.com/timesaver-lapping-compounds/yellow-label-lapping-compounds/

..Hope this helps...

Hi Gene.

A version of the Hobbymat is still (?) in production - it is known as the SU300 Masterturn lathe, and is available in the UK from;

https://www.emcomachinetools.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=124&product_id=1253

In Europe, I only found this, whom I think are the current manufacturers/Licence holders - maybe they can help?

www.tecoznojmo.cz/english/su300.php

The machines were widely marketed throughout Europe for many years, so those auction sites may also yield used examples. All variants of the MD65/SU300 part should fit - the machine was "branded" under many names, possibly the most complete resource is this one..

www.lathes.co.uk/hobbymat/

It is possible that a steady from another machine can be adapted, providing it has a 65mm centre height.

Good luck D

Jamie, hope it goes well.

Nick - interesting - I've never seen one with those slide switches - they have quite a "Soviet" look to them..

regards both D

Thanks for clarifying..