Member postings for Gordon W

An ER collet might be accurate enough. Down. to about 1/4" dia. they have 8 fingers.

Lack of T slots on small lathe- I know it's been said before, but simple to drill and tap a few holes in cross slide. Not as good but does the job.

I've worked in industry most of my life. General rule is don't specify a tapped hole unless it is needed. Tapping is expensive.

I've just done something similar- a 35mm rad on a piece of brass 25x12 x 40 long. I soldered the brass to another piece and clamped it in the toolpost with packing to the correct hight. Cut in two passes with a flycutter.

Why not use a solar panel ? I bought them to charge the 6v battery on outside security lights. You can get them complete with electronic gubbins to limit the charge, very cheap. I've had one for about 4 years now with no problems. PS I know you said you didn't want to use another panel.

I must be a bit different, I love machining cast iron. Big sense of relief when the skin is off. I'm normally fairly dirty so that doesn't bother me ( so says my wife ).

We used to make lifting tripods out of 3 sticks and some light rope. Never lifted much over a body weight but had no problems. This was before I could calculate the forces involved. Learnt in the Boy Scouts.

Plastic plugs never were any good. I always tap a bit of wood into the hole, always worked.

A recommendation- Most of the questions I asked, and the answers, are in Electric Motors for the Home Workshop, by Jim Cox, in The Workshop Practice series. I have this book and just re-read it again, I should have done it earlier.

2 wheel drive, ride-on if all goes well. Anybody remember the Good Life TV comedy ? They had a motor tiller towing a trailer, same sort of idea. Will keep posted on progress but something else has turned up today, doesn't it always?

Thanks for the ideas. This contraption will be a sort of "tug", used around the house, shifting the wheely bin etc. ( a 1 mile round trip ) Later if all is well to be a push bike pusher for road use. I think I will start with the two motors in parallel at 24V. Drive via. freewheel bearings or ratchet. At least I will some idea and at low cost.

I've just acquired a bike- all sorts of threads and heads. I suspect the head types are more for looks than security, as in "wow, it's got security bolts, must be expensive ". Also there are many different makers of the bits and all have their own ideas. Does not solve the problem tho'. I have a couple of assortment packs which do most ,but not the penta-lobe. Will get them when needed.

Michael- my original idea was 2 half-shafts. I decided on 48 v just to half the current and still get some power. The 48 v will be from 4x 12v lead acid batteries ( I have a mate who gets these trade) As usual with me cost is the deciding factor. I have two good motors, why buy another one? I must admit that buying 2 new motors and using half -shafts and using 48v is sensible. Thanks for the ideas.

Thanks- that was quick. It's for vehicle use, hopefully, They will be coupled together mechanically, both driving the same shaft via chain coupling, so should have same load and current draw. Motors are identical, off mini scooters, and are like new inside. The use of cheap controllers is noted, good advice I think.

I have two motors, both 24V DC, 250W, 14 Amps, 2500 rpm. These are permanent magnet 4 brush. Question is can these be connected in series to run on 48V ? It seems obvious that they can and will work ok but I'm losing confidence. Also can a cheap 48v speed controller be used ?

I've made all sorts of things from old files, tyre irons, knives etc. Just get to red heat, cool slowly. Just use a standard drill, no problem. I did not know about all the technical stuff at the time I did this, so may have helped. Also the old files may well have been a different quality to the stuff available now

Just a follow up- was talking to a mate of mine yesterday, in the pub. He's 20 yrs. younger than me and has the dreaded black big toe from time -to -time. He can eat rhubarb no problems, I can't, He has my rhubarb roots now. Both have no probs. with beer, a good thing. Both on same medication when needed.

Good news- my doc said a few pints a week, of good real beer, will do no harm. The odd whiskey is ok . White wine and cheap lager the worst. But this is getting embroiled with heart and blood problems as well as gout. Remember we are all different.

Gout ,frightened the life out of me the first time, huge blue toe and pain. Doc gave me tablets, only needed one, and one if it flared up. Now just diet, my favourites are banned-- liver, kidneys, rhubarb, kale and spinach being the worst for me. Steak every now and then seems ok. Just got to find out what suits you, we are all different.

Back in the day I always carried Mole grips /vice grips. They were the easy fix when the gear lever fell off the bike.