Member postings for Michael Cox 1

As well as Thor's suggestions cone drills are readily available from ScrewFix in the UK, see:

**LINK**

There are other suppliers on ebay which should be accesible globally

Mike

Ola Celso,

Nice job and as usual you make it look easy.

Mike

Vitamin C is ascorbic acid.

Niel has already pointed out that one benefit of using conical cutters is that it is easy to make any diameter of cut out using only a limited range of conical cutters. The other benefit of using conical cutters is that they provide relief all around the cut out arc. Using cylindrical cutters and a tilted blank only provide relief in one direction.

The cost of the tapered drills is relatively small and one set can be used to make cutters to match a big range of MOD and tooth counts.

Mike

Simon,

Thanks for the information about the solubility of HIPS in limonene. I am chemist but had never come across this titbit of information.

Chemically limonene and turpentine are both terpenes so it could be a good idea to try the latter as it should be more readily available.

Mike

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Simon,

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer) and HIPS (high impact polystyrene) are chemically very similar and they are usually softened and dissolved by the same solvents. Both, for example dissolve readily in acetone and MEK (methyl ethyl ketone).

Where did the information come from that limonene is a selective solvent for HIPS?

Mike

Please add my name to the list of well wishers.

Mike

Hi Antony,

I am glad it all worked out well in the end.

I am intrigued by some of the other things on your lathe:

1. What is it on top of the head stock?

2. What is the yellow object at the top that appears to be resting on the sloping splash guard

3. There appears to be something on the left hand side of the leadscrew before it disappears into the electrical control box.

Sorry if you think I am being nosey!

Mike

Edited By Michael Cox 1 on 19/07/2019 21:00:43

I bought the Balco printer from Aldi before Christmas 2018. It worked straight out of the box and I have used it to make various workshop related items such as gears, vee beltpulleys, timing belt pulleys etc as well as some household items such as sonic tooth brush stand, camera lens cap, a small bin to fit the cupholder in the car, sat-nav holder etc.

I find it a very useful addition to my collection of workshop tools.

Mike

I mentioned your post to my wife and she said she had seen an advert for narrow fitting shoes in one of her womens magaxines.

She found the following contacts:

James Inglis Tel 0330 121 1111 or jamesinglis.com

I hope this helps

Thank you all for your kind words and thanks to all that voted for my low profile clamps.

Kind regards

Mike

Martin,

I do not remember having to do any work on the end caps, but it was 6 years ago. I will have a look tomorrow and give you an update.

Mike

This is the approach that I used when I did my taper roller conversion. I figured that at the very least the o-ring would act as a thrower ring and prevent oil and swarf migrating along the spindle shaft. I did the conversion at least 6 years ago. Every year I remove the plastic endcaps and inspect for debris. I have never found anything after the o-ring.

I too echo Niels comments. I hope the families and friends of those killed and injured get the support of their own community and the support of all NZ people.

What I am in awe of is that Neil holds down a day job, edits MEW, writes books, spends time in his workshop, is very active on this website and he still finds time to sit outside at night staring at the stars!!!! Amazing.

My Balco printer, the same as the current offering from Aldi, has a very firm steel frame and is already equipped with a cooling fan on the extruder. I have had no problems with it straight out of the box except for the levelling screws on the print table being a bit loose. This problem was easily solved by printing some washers that fit under the springs of the levelling screws.

Mike

I just remember seeing this:

https://www.aimtools.co.uk/collections/spare-parts/products/katsu-550w-power-head-attachment-for-mini-lathe-machine-165013-and-165012

This is a powerful;motor, 500W, and variable speed power supply already assembled at a cost of £120

Mike

The motor that you picture on the Clarke milling attachment to the C1 lathe looks identical to the motor on my X1 mill from ArcEurotrade.

Since it is unlikely that you would need to use the milling spindle and the lathe spindle at the same time I suspect that the attachment does not have a separate power controller board and that it is run from the same controller as the lathe motor. Is there a socket on the back of the C1 that the attachment plugs into?

I would urge you to consider making a belt drive conversion rather than replacing the gears in the mill headstock. The belt drive is much quieter, smoother and reduces any shock loading on the spindle. It is sudden shock loading that tend to upset the controller board. My belt drive conversion on the X1 mill is shown here:

http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/mill-belt-drive-conversion.html

As an alternative motor you may be able to pick up a small dc motor that was made for an electric golf trolley. Ebay usually lists some of them. This could be used with a 12 V motor controller from Ebay

Mike.

I bought one of the ALDI printers and I am very pleased with it. The only problem that I have had is that the springs on the bed for the levelling screws are too short and they do not hold the bed in a reproducable position. I 3D printed some spacers to fit under the springs and everything is better now.

Mike