Member postings for bricky

After 11 months I have finished the i/c rockerblock engine,designed by Brian Rupnow.All that remains is to wait for the thread lock to set on the tank feed and tomorrow i'll try to start it.

Frank

I have a SX3 and have some issues with it,but you don't get a Rolls for the price of a Mini.I thought the fiddly two pin spanner for holding the quill needed changing so I drilled a hole on the quill face and made a c spanner,no more problem there.Flexing of the column whilst taking cuts with a slot drill could be annoying .I fastened an angle iron to the top of the column and with three angle irons bolted them to the column and the roof.I made a manual depth stop as well to complement the digital readout.The mill suits me.

Frank

Hi Ray, Sorry not to reply immediatly but events overtook me yesterday.I do have a 1mm external chaser ,PM me.

Frank

Ray I have a lot of thread chasers that I aquired of various pitches,if I have a 1mm pitch you can have one.I will look tomorrow and inform you if I have one.I have used them with all but one of the teeth ground off for thread cutting ,it saves grinding a tool to shape and is bound to be right.

Frank

I made a QCT based on an old Pratt Burned one I saw on E bay ,mine has one drawback and that is you have to pack each tool into it's cartridge up to centre height but once done thats it.It has the advantage over my Dixon that the tool cartridges sit directly onto the top slide and the clamp nut is all there is above the toolpost giving uncluttered access to the workpiece.It will fit any lathe above 3.5" by just scaling up.The speed of changing cartridges is quicker than my Dixon.View it on my album.

Frank

I wish to dismantle my spindle on my large bore myford and there is not a specific manual for this model.Can anyone tell me how to remove the v pulley on the spindle as I can't see any grub screws.

Frank

Finished making the carb, for the Brian Rupnow Rockerblock i/c engine.Just the fuel tank to make and set the cams and the ignition system.

Frank

Cut and drilled a piece of 20mm thick polished slate off a wash stand.Hard as steel,so don't think that all slate is soft.I formed a well with putty where I was going to drill and filled this with oil ,then proceeded to drill with a sharpened masonry drill, and with my drill being variable speed I had to find the best speed for it to cut efficiantly.If it is a critical piece why not approach your local stonemason I'm sure they would help.

Frank

Thanks for replying and clarifying my question.When I have finished the i/c Rockerblock engine I will have a go at making a starter engine .

Frank

Having received a book on Stirling engines, I am becoming interested in building one.I can't find an explanation of whether air in the hot cylinder is contained or needs replenishing by a valve.I can't see one on any of the engines in the book,or dose the air enter with the piston rod.Until I have got my head around this I can't read on.I know there are experts in this field amongs members and I need your input.

Frank

Made a needle valve for a small carb,wanting it to be concentric with the 20deg inclusive angle which I ground with my toolpost grinder and then turned the needle down from .125" to .055"with a razor sharp eccentric tool this took a while with a depth of cut at 3000" and backed the tool out to take out the spring.This was buttock clenching and on completion I had a tot of rum.

A good new year to you all and thanks again to all the help I have received from members of the forum.

Frank

My first attempt was with some alum that I had in stock,nothing was happening but my son pointed out that it was 20 years out of date.I sourced some of amazon and within a week the tao has gone .I did as Niel suggested and piggled about with a needle and today to my delight and suprise a full depth 8 BA tap is gone.I have recharged the cup to make sure the threads are clear.I thank everyone for their help in this matter.

Frank

I use old towels and lots of them and have no rust on my machines.Rapid temperature swings do cause condensation.I have a dehumidifier which is switched on economy seven from 1am to 8am and I don't heat the workshop as I worked outside for 50 years and find a coat over my overalls is quite comfertable and therefore it's only my breath thats a problem.

Frank

I had an old mentor in model engineering who in ww2 worked on the railways as a fitter but he had a B type Drummond which he bought new in 1920,On this tool he designed a prototype search light.He noticed that when a search light lost the plane they seldom could get back on it.His design was that his model created a zig zag of light giving a better chance of lighting the plane.He used a scotch crank to achieve this.Nothing became of the idea as the need declined as the war progressed.I had this model when he died but I eventualy threw it out as I didn't think anyone would know what it waswhen they clean out my workshop,I regret it now as it was a clever piece of work.

Frank

The digital angle gauge comes into it's own when you need hands free and one can measure angles with the use of paralells that are not possible with a protractor.

Frank

Thanks to all for your input.I am proceeding as Ian suggested.

Frank

The body of the carb is brass ,will this be a problem.

Frank

I have nearly finished the body of a small carburetor.I was drilling and tapping a 8BA hole when the tap broke.I can't make a core cutter to cut round the tap as there isn't room.I recall reading of alum to remove broken taps but can't remember how it is used.I have a small tub of alum crystals,could someone enlighten me please as how to proceed.

Frank

Check whether the condensate tube inside the boiler is not leaking and finding it's way into the electrics.This cost me a new boiler.

Frank

when needing to shim tools i find formica swatches cut into strips, copper slate strip from the builders merchant,credit cards,the cards from WH Smiths they give with reciepts and steel shim down to 2th serve well.I always get my tools to centre height apart frm boring bars which I keep a little above to accomodate deflection.

Frank