Here is a list of all the postings Steve Rowbotham has made in our forums. Click on a thread name to jump to the thread.
Thread: turning small square stock |
09/07/2022 18:22:49 |
Making the big end for Stuart Models oscillating engine I need to turn a short length (1/2 inch) of 3/16 square stock. My 4 jaw is too big, and I don't have any square collets. I am thinking of milling a slot just under 3/16 deep in round bar and holding that in the 4 jaw. Is that a sensible option, or are there any other methods I could employ? |
Thread: Screw Jack Casting |
11/05/2022 12:51:05 |
Coincidentally Lee has just listed another casting on e-Bay which I have snapped up, so will shortly be able to progress onto chapter 9. Thank you for the link Jason, and thank you Howard for the timely and very helpful advice! |
10/05/2022 23:08:27 |
Yes indeed Michael, so would still prefer to use a casting if I can find one, but no joy from CES or classifieds as yet. I am just completing the tail stock die holders and will be ready to move onto the jack in the next day or so, so may have to machine from cast iron if I am unable to obtain a casting. I have purchased a kit for a Stuart Oscillator, which of course includes a casting for the standard. I am very keen to start on the oscillator but am being disciplined in working my way through the course book before I do so, so need to crack on with the Jack! Steve |
10/05/2022 21:28:52 |
Hello Jason, I don't really have an intended use for the Jack at present, I am simply working my way through Harold Hall's lathework course book and have reached chapter 9, 'Screw Jack' which introduces both machining a casting and working with cast iron. Whilst I have been unable to obtain the CES casting (and yes I did enquire) I still intend to undertake the jack project as it also introduces screw cutting, so will machine a base from cast iron as suggested by others in this thread, and will also make smaller to have more utility as you suggest. As to the question of whether I have a mill, the answer is that I do and am also working my way through Mr Hall' milling course in parallel. Steve |
03/05/2022 20:28:36 |
Thanks for sharing the link Jason, non currently available. Do you have any contact details for Lee, if not I will create an e-bay account to contact him. Steve |
03/05/2022 15:50:08 |
Thanks Dave, ad posted. Will revert to steel if no luck with casting. Steve |
03/05/2022 15:08:38 |
Working my way through 'Lathework A Complete Course' and have reached chapter 9, 'Screw Jack'. This project is based on a casting from 'College Engineering Supply' (casting 511) but they do not have any in stock, or can advise when they will have. Does anyone have an un-machined casting surplus to requirements that I can purchase? Steve |
Thread: Stud bending on threading |
27/04/2022 13:28:26 |
no I didn't mean that! omitted the words 'thread hight', so reducing diameter by 0.09mm. |
27/04/2022 13:04:15 |
I have actually made the 13/16 holder (see pic) albeit with slightly bent screws. Based on the considerable advice above I will make the die holder support next and then use the die holder to thread new adjuster screws for this holder and then the larger (1 inch) holder. I will also reduce the turned diameter from 5mm to 90% as suggested. In terms of prominence, I purchased a tap and die set from a prominent dealer and have been very happy with the way the taps cut, the dies appear to be good quality so I think operator error rather than die quality is the issue. Many thanks to all who have taken the time to respond and help me on my way with such great advice, this forum really is a fantastic resource for a novice. Steve |
26/04/2022 23:07:08 |
Dies are from a new tap and die set purchased on line, will invest in some split dies. And yes, currently threading in the vice. Thanks for the suggestion to make in 2 parts Nicholas, hadn't considered that - it certainly would have used less material! Thanks to all who have responded, I have ways forward to progress now. Steve |
26/04/2022 21:55:25 |
Glad it's not just me Calum, I have some very similar looking studs! |
26/04/2022 21:52:58 |
Thank you Howard, I turned down to 5mm for M5 but die is not split type, so diameter is the likely cause. will try again tomorrow with slightly under size diameter and clear scarf as I go. Steve |
26/04/2022 21:27:15 |
I am a complete novice working my way through 'Lathework A Complete Course' by Harold Hall and am presently making the tailstock die holders. I have encountered a problem manufacturing the die holder screws in that, having knurled 10mm mild steel bar (of unknown spec) and turned down a length for threading M5, the studs end up bent after being died down. The turned section is perfectly straight after turning, and I am taking great care not to apply any side pressure to the die holder whilst threading, so am struggling to understand what is causing the bending, and what to do differently to avoid it. |
Thread: lathe alignment - again |
08/02/2022 11:25:24 |
Hi Hopper, all sorted and now ploughing on with Harold Hall's 'Lathework A Complete Course', and when done I think I will be ready to take on my Stuart Oscillator kit. Thanks again for your very helpful guidance, Steve |
07/02/2022 21:16:50 |
Taking on-board all of the very helpful responses, I have been able to make a huge improvement today. I started by removing the chuck guard and reducing the length of bar extending beyond chuck jaws to 120mm - note I carried on with my 25mm steel bar as haven't procured any Aluminium yet. I then made a very fine cut again using the carbide tool, as that is all I bought with the lathe - result this time was 1 thou difference (larger at tailstock again), versus the 6 thou yesterday. As was suggested bar length / flexing was clearly having a major impact. I then eased off all of the mounting bolts (6 off), and left for an hour for the bed to relax; there is indeed a small gap on the front tailstock mount, which is consistent with the larger tailstock end diameter on the test bar. I then turned another test bar, and now am struggling to measure any significant difference using my old Imperial micrometer with 1 thou graduations, if anything it is in the region of 0.1 thou. I think I have gone as far as I can with steel bar, carbide tools and a mechanical micrometer with 1 thou grads. So, all good to use now, will check using the other methods / materials suggested in due course. Thanks again to all who replied with great advice - watch out next for naive questions on work holding! Steve |
06/02/2022 23:01:59 |
Thanks MikeK, I clearly need to go back to lathe / stand installation before making more test cuts. will let you know how things work out tomorrow. |
06/02/2022 22:46:01 |
Thanks Mitek, did you find that relaxing the bolts resulted in acceptable alignment? |
06/02/2022 22:39:41 |
Thanks again Hopper, this will be step 1 tomorrow. In hindsight I should have asked before starting - but this is what happens when electronics engineers get involved with things mechanical! |
06/02/2022 22:17:44 |
Clive, I had wondered about the possible effects of bolting down and have contemplated running a test with the mounting bolts all relaxed. With the helpful suggestions from others regarding the bar and tool, plus this interesting thought I now have several options to persue tomorrow - thank you. |
06/02/2022 22:11:14 |
Thanks Hopper, your post confirms my thinking regarding the chuck guard interlock, it will be disabled! |
Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!
Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.
You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy
You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.
Click THIS LINK for full contact details.
For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.