Member postings for davidsuffolk

When I saw the title I thought at first of a different coke bottle rocket. I had seen the water pressure type but I had also seen the combustion type and made one for my grandson. These involve using a spark generator such as a BBQ lighter and a fuel.

The video I saw recommended rubbing alcohol but I found lighter fuel more reliable (a VERY small amount).

The resulting flash and bang is quite something and the plastic bottle goes maybe 60yards.

Link for anyone interested to make https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuz0curb_hg

Halogen are c**p and I have gone completely over to LED which so far are fine. One point not mentioned is the LED bulbs are often warranted. I bought sets from Ledhut and had one (out of 12) fail after about 2 years. Without any quibble they sent a replacement.

LED are not cheap but at the rate the halogen were failing I have saved loads plus at only 4-5 watts they reckon their cost is saved in 6 months (and gained every six months thereafter.)

Again, as I also have no idea what it is you seek maybe this suggestion is of no help but near to where I live is a company that just produces models though these tend to be pre-production things so that companies can look at an idea in the round. Their website is http://www.minima.co.uk/

Absolutely fabulous, well done Jason.

I like to think I am quite cute with computers and I upgraded from 8.1 to 10 with no issues whatsoever.

Everything I had installed continued to work and the interface is much more logical than 8 to me.

Personally I think it is fine.

This set is available from eBay at £4.29 posted so hardly worth trying to make /alter something else. I have similar and very often comes in useful, especially the TORX drivers

UK Drills (and I am sure others) sell TCT drills specifically for SS. I have used and they are very good on any hard metal.

http://www.ukdrills.com/Product/index?catid=262&productid=150

My most useful tool would also be the simplest and used for riveting to a hidden existing hole. No photo but basically, take an old hacksaw blade and snap it in half. Weld or solder a short pin in one of the holes & then line up the other hole to the pin and weld or solder the blades together. (make the pin and hole to suit the drill for the rivet)

Now, it you want to rivet a piece of sheet metal to another with an existing hole slide the tool so it passes either side of the top sheet and with the side with the pin iunderneath. Once the pin locates in the existing hole the hole in the top blade will be perfectly aligned so you can drill through.

5 minutes to make!

While not really a ME question there are many on here with wide knowledge so can I ask for help with damascus steel?

I have bought some knife blanks in damascus steel & the patterns make the blades very attractive but I am told I will need to re-etch after polishing?

If I do that, how can I retain the high quality finish (I hope to achieve) while at the same time making the patterns in the metal distinct?

What acid is considered best for this and as it may not be easily sourced, where to get some? For what it is worth, I did notice that one drain cleaner I had bought was described as concentrated sulfuric acid so maybe more available than I suspect!

All tips and advice appreciated.

I have it running on air

and I have just put up a short video of it running on electricity

Please forgive the slack chain to the governor which is now corrected (and the mess in the background!)

Edited By davidsuffolk on 01/10/2015 07:46:13

Edited By JasonB on 01/10/2015 09:28:39

I expect many have had the same thoughts. I have just finished a quite large stationary engine and at +60kgs and more than 3' high it is a big lump!

And so the thought, "what do I do with it now" arose. Too big to put on a shelf and in any case being a static engine doesn't really do it justice. I didn't want to sell it but it is hard to display nicely when stationary so I decided to electrify the motion.

I had already had a wooden base made that it sits quite nicely on and being about 6" deep I thought I might get an electric motor to fit within this base.

I bought a Parvalux slow speed motor which runs at 75rpm. This was a bit too fast for what I had in mind plus I was a bit concerned that the torque to turn a large engine might be too much for a small electric motor so I fitted two bicycle sprockets which reduced the speed down to a stately 20rpm.

Once the flywheel was re-fitted the sprockets and chain are to a large degree hidden and the engine turns over quietly making a nice display item.

I have an Axminster branded (Now Sieg) hacksaw and there are no clear instructions as to which way it cuts so I enquired and was told it is designed to cut on the pull stroke.

I went to a car boot today and one stall had this tap which apparently was from Colchester Lathes. It appears brand new as still fully wax covered. Also has 2/3 rd depth on it so may be part of a set.

I don't have a Colchester but for £5 I thought it was worth getting in case I was doing a favour for someone.

Anyone in need is welcome to pm me? (and if not I have now a good door wedge)

Depends whether you want the hassle or the money?

They might sell at so much per issue on eBay and the free ads on http://www.homeworkshop.org.uk/ are very good.

Alternately, maybe there is a ME club nearby who might be grateful of the lot in one go?

+ 1 on this request.

I want a boring head and wonder if Vertex is worth the extra over Soba and the unbranded ones. As a ballpark a Vertex head is @£100 with an arbor yet Soba only £70 or so and unbranded with a set of bars maybe £50.

Comments very welcome! Is Vertex worth the extra?

I'm clearly ignorant here but what difference does it make? I have an Axminster hacksaw, which I guess is Chinese, and the cut seems the same regardless of which way the teeth face.

Others have made a similar comment and you are probably right. Most people seem to manage OK with just a boring head (and they are a lot cheaper!)

Thank you Ketan for your long and helpful reply.

Since first posting I had emailed ARC in the hope that you were going to exhibit at the Midland ME exhibition so I could have a look at one in the flesh (and with money in my pocket!).

If so, maybe see you there.

Sorry my reply to Neil came after your post Bob. As I said, I have and like Vertex but their B&F is nearly double the Arc one (though they look very similar in the pictures) and I was asking whether anyone has one of the Arc ones and what it was like in the real world?

Edited By davidsuffolk on 21/09/2015 22:22:29

I can do that but I was hoping someone might have got one and could report what it was like in use.