Member postings for Alan Jackson

I can apply more than enough force at the lathe centre with only relatively light single handed force at the rack handles with either my smaller handle Stepperhead rack or my longer levered Chipmaster rack. Much better generally than a screw feed, and much better for drilling and removing the drill for chip clearance. Look in my albums.

Alan

Edited By Alan Jackson on 07/02/2020 15:27:16

Apologies for double posting this on the wrong thread but I have been very happy with the operation of my old Dell Inspiron laptop driving my Stepperhead lathe via DOS and TurboCNC. It operarates on WIN 98 converted to DOS and can perform many operations, threading, profiling, dividing, etc. I do not see why it this system is not used further on converted lathes. It is simple and an inexpensive conversion method for a more electronic operated lathe.

Alan

I have been very happy with the operation of my old Dell Inspiron laptop driving my Stepperhead lathe via DOS and TurboCNC. It operarates on WIN 98 converted to DOS and can perform many operations, threading, profiling, dividing, etc. I do not see why it this system is not used further on converted lathes. It is simple and an inexpensive conversion method for a more electronic operated lathe.

Alan

Wonderful workmanship

Alan

Happy Christmas to all

I think its made from cast iron so you would probably snap it if you try to bend it.

Alan

I am happy with a ex business Dell T1700. It came with Win 10 professional and I have added a 500 gb ssd. Check out them on ebay lots to choose

Alan

I had an Ajax mill like yours and rebuilt it. The existing pulley had lumps broken from it by the previous owner so I machined the pulley down for polyvee belts. I also repositioned the vertical feed shaft so that it could be fitted with a handwheel.

Edited By Alan Jackson on 01/11/2019 16:29:37

It is part of a dial indicator mounting. The dial extended bar fits in the knurled clamp so that it reverses the movement for say centering bores on a lathe.

Alan

It would be interesting to know what fundamentals have changed that create the concerns and comments in this thread. Say twenty years ago these shows were well worth a visit, the exhibits from models makers prevailed and there was plenty of entries for the competitions etc. There was plenty of variety to interest all ages. Now it seems that it is just a smattering of model entries and trade exhibits, with model clubs doing there best to make a show. There was also a good follow up provided by the magazines to describe the entries to those who could not attend the exhibition. I know that a lot of this is now shown on the internet, so this must be the main reason for the shows gradual demise, sad really.

Alan

Hi Ian,

I have tried to understand your problem, but I still do not know why you are blaming the bearing press fits for your inaccurate and not rigidly mounted collets. It seems to me that the collets are mounted via a couple of interface points, the Morse taper and the spindle Morse taper mounting resulting in a collet positioned too far from the front bearing. This cantilever will magnify any errors present and reduce rigidity, making the bearing fits easier does not seem to be, in my mind, the solution. Simply put the collet should be mounted as close to the front bearing as possible for maximum concentricity and rigidity. If I have failed to understand the problem I apologise and I am sure it will be pointed out by others, but good luck anyway.

Alan

I agree with Thaiguzzi's comments on the MLA Toolpost. Here is my version with the cutting tool within the envelope of the Topslide and Cross slide for maximum rigidity.

Alan

For years I persisted with a 1942 Keighly Lifts 4.5" lathe. Rebuilt and modified it but it was noisy and slow and would terrify me if I tried to part anything off. Next I got hold of an old Colchester Chipmaster and fixed it up to suit. It is still a fantastic machine, accurate and now quiet with a polyvee belt replacing the original toothed belt. I built a Dore Westbury a long time ago on which I did more than it was designed for but was never very rigid etc. Now the head resides on a Tom Senior M1 Mill which is also quite super. I also have my Stepperhead lathe which is also good for many unusual tasks.

Edited By Alan Jackson on 23/07/2019 22:11:21

Great News Andrew

Alan

Hi Andrew,

I will also miss your very interesting posts. Such a shame that narrow minds seem to be so vocal. Enjoy your good efforts, but I will be saddened by not seeing them here.

Cheers

Alan

Wow

Charles,

If you search for this on ebay there are many video teachings. This worked for me

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOLIDWORKS-2018-Video-Training-Tutorial-DVD/223473506750?hash=item34080f19be:g:C4AAAOSwo~1azhZj

Alan

How about converting it to a Lever locking topslide?

Alan

I visited the factory as an apprentice in about 1957, so this video reminds me of that visit. I think the whole factory was very proud of the machines they produced. Here is a photo of my Chipmaster, still going well.

I have rebuilt this old lathe and I think it now runs nearly as good as it ever did. Replaced the speed variator with an inverter, modified the cross slide and added a new lever locking top slide, plus the capstan feed tailstock

Alan

I have just seen this on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQaAKUAzK0w

Alan