Indeed, and I recall urging the OP to invest in a copy some time ago.

Paul Davies:

Yes, that looks like the catalogue item:

Edited By ega on 13/11/2015 15:16:42

Paul Davies 8:

My M&W cat lists the 940MX with locknut, rather than clamp, and alternative anvil to give greater range. Is this your type?

Paul Davies 8:

I suppose that mic can only have seized through rust or oxidisation, etc of the oil on the screw. Rust would be bad news, of course. The next question once the mechanism is free is what lubricant to use to protect the mechanism in future?

I have never heard of a mic seizing before. Are you sure the clamp isn't on?

Brian John:

I always use this kind of boring bar - ie round section with flats top and bottom - in a shop-made holder either of the kind described by GHT or a simple split block closed by the tool post clamp screws.

My understanding is that they are made so that the insert is on centre when the flat is horizontal and the bar centre level with the lathe centre line. This means that you can make an accurate holder by gripping the blank in the toolpost and drilling, boring and reaming with tools held in the lathe spindle. I am not sure how this would be done in detail on your lathe but believe the principle is sound.

Incidentally, using the same approach you could probably make a holder for the considerably stiffer 8mm bar.

Edited By ega on 13/11/2015 11:04:18

Ady1:

I agree and think it would be helpful if the "county/state" box were a required field (it would still be possible for members to decline having a public profile).

Thank you for indirectly answering a question I asked elsewhere on the forum.

John W 1:

"There is a site that lists metric threads that might be of interest."

Thanks for reminding me of this useful site - it feels odd that one goes to the US for such a comprehensive list.

Michael Gilligan and Mike:

Thanks for the link and for the information which I will follow up. It sounds as though Sorbothane might also make a good base for the bench grinder.

Michael Gilligan's interesting piece (No 235, p 61) reminded me that my cheap and cheerful Astra bench drill has been sitting on four Blu Tack pads for many years. I have yet to borrow these and try his experiment but, provisionally, understand that in that position the material will be stiff until re-kneaded. In my innocence, I thought it would retain its damping qualities as well as locating the machine.

Is there a better material for my purpose, I wonder?

Neil Wyatt:

Thank you for this and no doubt it was the route by which I set up my own profile but how does one choose what information is public?

Other forums encourage members to give an indication of their location presumably because it opens up the possibility of direct contact as, for example, in the Optimum saga.

"The base looks like it might be a piece of steel rail from a railway track."

I have seen this very thing done and remember a knowledgeable friend explaining why it is not the best way to provide a very stiff foundation for a lathe bed.

I think one of the pictures in the listing illustrates turning nuts!

Brian Wood:

Perhaps I should have been more specific! I permed Trevorh's "high impact cross weave tape" with your reference to amazon, searched on amazon and came up with the negative result I quoted in my post. A google search does indeed throw up items on amazon and they do look like the tape I have seen on commercial abrasive bands.

What I was after was a more positive indication of a particular product which will do the job.

As to your question, I don't think I had a view as to whether you had searched or not.

Brian Wood:

Your search "high impact cross weave tape" did not match any products

Can you be more specific please?

John Milligan:

Before posting I did check that *my* public profile shows me as in the UK but I'm blessed if I can see how this is set up; no doubt someone else knows and will enlighten us.

I did a little cycle racing in the Chilterns in my youth but am now living in Kent where my workshop includes a much-loved vintage Super Seven. I trust yours will serve you well.

John Milligan:

It sounds as though you are in the UK but might you confirm your whereabouts in general terms? ie give some indication in a public profile?

Good luck with your plans. You will certainly not want for advice here and with your background can no doubt put plenty back.

Trevorh:

I don't think you mentioned the diameter but I think a travelling steady is likely to be essential for this kind of job. The steady fingers will need to be wide enough to span the crests and you will need to debur with a file after each pass.

Michael Gilligan:

No apology needed and, indeed, I have to thank you for reminding me to look again at the screwcutting capabilities of this lathe.

Hopper:

FWIW, I think you are an absolute hero.

MadMike:

I take your point but when someone asks you how to get to Cork it is no answer to say, however justifiably, that you wouldn't go to Cork from here, particularly when the querist has already started his journey.

As MEs we are inclined to fix problems ourselves if we can.

Hywel Evans:

I'm a life-long cyclist and assume you ride as well as make them. I'd be interested to know what the mill would be used for; obviously, it's a very handy thing to have in your shop but my impression is that most artisan makers did very little milling.

I'm not qualified to advise on the machines you list but others certainly are.

Isn't the ward an internal component rather than the (external) keyhole - or am I being lockpicky?

There is a superb classic photo depicting a locksmith's hands working on a lock which I think was included in Eric de Mare's book. Can anyone point to this? Having given the book to a budding photographer some years ago, I should like to check my recollection.