Member postings for Cornish Jack

Paul - if this is the full workshop layout with lineshaft tooling etc, I have one ... somewhere! If nobody else sorts it first, I'll go 'on safari' in (for?) the next couple of days to find it. " I may be some time ..."

rgds

|Bill

Definitely not today, but over much too long a period, finally fitted a 2 axis DRO to my D-W mill. Thanks are due to all the members who provided hints, tips and suggestions plus the customer support at Allendale for sorting the digital bit! I'm posting a couple of pics which, if you can ignore the crap workmanship, may be useful for other D-W owners. The last pic is of the repair to the motor/head support tbe which was broken and which several members offered suggestions for repair. For logistical (proximity) reasons, I tool Pgk's advice and went agri-engineer. The repair has been deliberately left 'as-is' on mutual agreement that it would probably be stronger and the 'looks' suit my 'style'!!

Thanks to all who helped.

rgds

Bill

It's all very well for you keen-eyed youngsters who can see that sort of detail!!

I use a magnifying glass on the big Myford wall chart!

rgds

Bill

As posted elsewhere, I am in the process of installing DROs on a D-W mill. Almost complete but I was unable to access the console set-up function. I should point out that the kit was purchased over 18 months ago. Allendale picked up (from the forum) that I was having problems and offered to help. Rang them this morning and spoke to one of their techies who made a couple of suggestions, not mentioned in the instruction booklet. Bingo! all working as advertised!

Apart from the successful advice, it was made clear that they would be happy to deal with any problems should the advice not work - VERY reassuring indication of good customer service - worth noting for future reference.

The advice? ... hold down the ENTER key during the switch-on rather than during the 3 seconds after.

Thank you Allendale

rgds
Bill

As a devoted non-gardener, I can't understand this passion for areas of unremitting green. Happily, our tiny 'garden' is incapable of supporting 'normal' plants but works well with a wide variety of 'weeds'. The varying colours and textures are vastly more visually appealing than manicured green, it's easy to 'maintain' and, most importantly, it encourages a wide variety of insects, especially the bees.

Grass ? ... who needs it?

rgds

Bill

Michael - You have the correct video link in spite of my inverting the Company title !!

Allendales offer of assistance may well be called on.

In spite of my lack of expertise, I have actually managed to attach the required bits to the D-W in positions which offer working outputs. The astonishment which this generated caused me to break the habit of a lifetime and, before operating the console, I read the 'manual'!!!! Following the instructions (another first!) Step 1 was accomplished as was Step 2. However, Step 3 , and normal service was resumed ...book says press up/down arrows to sequence through to SETUP. Pressed the up and down arrows and irrespective of direction of travel, the result remained a 3 output sequence SDM/INC/ABS with the finger shortening requirement to scroll through 200 (!!!) increments of SDM before moving to the next in sequence. Pressing Enter at various points in the process had little effect, save for producing the ubiquitous digital equipment 'beep'! Trouble-shooting section has no mention of this behaviour and, thus, no cure. Resorting to my deep technical skills in these matters, I switched the console on and off (several times!) and have now retired hurt.

Should any members have useful knowledge (or inspired guesses) as to the cause and (preferably) the cure, I would be most grateful for such offerings. (otherwise basket-weaving beckons)

rgds

Bill

Edited By Cornish Jack on 19/06/2020 17:52:17

Edited By Cornish Jack on 19/06/2020 17:54:56

Alan - thank you for your kind offer of assistance and the reassuring news that things have changed. The item is, after all, a D-I-Y kit, so one shouild expect problems. My main gripe is the lack of useful, publicly available, general advice vis-a-vis your American competitors. I would think that the web would be the prospective installer's first port of call for guidance and your present offering explains the principles but little else. It is proving to be a good exercise in ingenuity but, at 85, simplicity rules! I shall continue the battle and, if successful, will post (carefully edited) photos

If no success, I shall retreat to basket weaving or other country pursuits

rgds

Bill

I had a near replica of Iain's 'collapse only mine was 'Rawlplugged' in to the walls. Thankfully mine happened while I was absent, so just the mess to clear up!.

My remedy was as DMB suggests, Dexion frames, free standing for weight bearing but wall fixed for added stability, if that makes sense? No further traumas (fingers crossed!)

rgds

Bill

Robert - your points are well made - certainly regarding not catering for specific machines. However, the bits provided in my set do not fit each other, never mind the intended machine. Allendale are at liberty to make their own decisions as to what they include in their offerings. I would suggest, however that they could learn valuable lessons from viewing their American competitors.

rgds

Bill

Hmm ... interesting. Different folks, different strokes!

I'm in the process of fitting a 2 axis M-Dro set (bought nearly 2 years ago!) to a D-W mill. Getting there, gradually, but had it not been for the Youtube videos published by ProDro, I would have given up before starting! The supplied 'instructions'- 5 booklets are printed at a print size suitable for magnifying glasses. The specific items feature at the very end of one general description booklet with nothing to guide you there. The only video Allendale publish is less than helpful.

The ProDro videos, while produced in a form suitable for children, cover all the basics in a way that makes sense and are tranlatable to any equivalent product. It would appear, also, that their kits are provided with accessories which are actually of use, as against the bright, shiny, 'don't fit anything here' bits which are included with the M Dro package.

If, and it's a big 'if', the kit is fitted and (more importantly) works, I shall be relieved, surprised and grateful to other than the kit providers.

rgds

Bill

PS - I should add, in fairness, that I have no engineering skills background, so the above is from the perspective of a complete beginner.

Many thanks, gentlemen.

Jim Nic - of course, you're right but it's the proximity of the screw heads to the tape ( thous " ) which I saw as a possible problem.

Nigel - Thank you, I've got some slips which should be more than accurate enough to calibrate for my tolerances!

John - the scales are M - DRO supplied and none of their supplied fastenings (or supports etc.) are any use at all.

Rik - the end fitting idea sounds good - there are none supplied with the scales, which seems odd, but the package as a whole seems unimpressive - especially the 'instructions'!!!

rgds

Bill

In the (slow) process of installing mag dro scales on a D-W mill. I'm using aluminium angle for mounting and have modified some m6 screws to hold the scales to the angle pieces. The screws are in counterbored 'pockets' in the scale strip holders and, thus, the mag tape passes directly across the screw heads. Is this likely to affect the scale readability and should I source some brass or other non-magnetic screws?

rgds

Bill

+1 several times over! Not just for the quality of the work completed but the work ethic of the main shipwright and those who help out. Inspiring springs to mind!

rgds

Bill

David - you might want to re-check the issue details. I have the version you specify and the only LBSC item is a 'general' item about steam - nothing about Hielan Lassie.

rgds

Bill

" trouble is you cant tell the seller which courier to use. "

George - while you can't force the seller to use a particular system, you can organise the delivery yourself. Ask the seller for dimensions, weight, pick-up address, date and time and email and phone and book the delivery yourself. The barcode label will be sent to you and you copy it to the seller to print and attach. Very simple and, in many cases , welcomed by the seller (except those using p&p to increase their profit!)

rgds

Bill

Mike - Just had a look at your album photos .... hmmm - obviously a D-W, "but not as we mere mortals know it, Jim"

That's 'work of art' territory!! I reckon Edgar and Arnold would be rather impressed !

Enough of the tool jealousy - thank you for the photos - they are useful pointers.

rgds

Bill

Thank you Mike - I'll have a look at the photos. I had considered something sounding similar but using square ali tube and putting the scale on that and the read head on the cross slide. I take your caveat on the x axis.

rgds

Bill

Brian - you have a PM.

rgds

Bill

Many thanks Brian - kind offer, gratefully accepted.

I'll email separately.

rgds

Bill

Just had a cracked casting repaired on my D-W and taking the opportunity to fit a set of magnetic DRO scales. The Y axis scale is slightly problematical because the base casting sides are angled where the scales would best fit. Have any owners done the installation and have any recommendations for this , please?

rgds

Bill