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Member postings for Ian P

Here is a list of all the postings Ian P has made in our forums. Click on a thread name to jump to the thread.

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Thread: iPad in the workshop, something to bear in mind!
19/12/2011 20:02:06
Posted by Ian Hewson on 19/12/2011 19:30:52:
Hi
Sorry you have had problems, I started using Apple in 1995 and have never looked back.
I use imacs, ipod s, I phone and an ipad, paid for with my hard earned cash.
I can honestly say that I would not go back Windoze again.
People know I like computers and I am often asked for my advice on PC problems, never on Mac ones.
I did not start this line of correspondence, but it doe's make me mad when people who have not used Mac's denigrate them.
Regards
Ian
 
But what feeling would you get when a Mac user tell you of their problems? they do have problems too!
What I have found (ie in my experience) is that nearly all Apple users are very loyal and do not like any critisism of their system. I do know lots of people that use Macs and are happy with them, I also know two people that have bought their own Macs because the programme they need for their work only runs on a Mac (Final Cut Pro, and that is not bug free anyway). The same two people own and use PCs as well because they are better for some jobs.
 
Ian
19/12/2011 19:16:03
Posted by Ian Hewson on 19/12/2011 18:16:11:
Hi Martin
Sorry, but I don't have the time to reply to that one, but try reading the thread on poor Windows problems.
Ian
 
Martin
Brilliant!
 
Why don't YOU try reading the Apple problems?
 
Every computer system, every make of car, every religion etc, has its own band of loyal followers, disgruntled users, and every shade of opinion in between. It a pretty basic fact of life that there are more negative comments then positive ones on forums, user groups, and the web in general. Basically you have to use your own judgement in drawing conclusions from opinions gleaned from the internet.
 
This is not the right forum to discuss the merits of Apple v Microsoft, but, since you brought it up I have to say truthfully that I am no fan of Apple. I held them in high regard until I started using the iPad (it was a present). I wont go into details about how many times I installed/removed iTunes, including reformatting my HD, The iPad itself was replaced after I spent 2 whole days trying to get it to work mostly following the (absolutely excellent) Apple support. Exchanging it involved a 50 mile round trip to an Applestore. It now works but is only partly functional because I do not want to ever connect it to iTunes!
 
Having said all that, its beautifully designed and made, its very very good at what it is good at (instant ON web browsing), also If the owner of an iPad has Mac, and iPhone, and an iTouch they work seamlessly together but the iPad on its own useless.
 
Prior to getting the iPad I had never had reason to Google for 'iPad problems', now I don't want to. Even Apples's own forums are full of users with problems and complaints. Unfortunately for Apple users they have less places to turn to for help and assistance as there are just less sources because the user base is smaller than Windows.
 
I started this thread originally with reference to an iPad, it could just have equally been an Android or Windows pad as I am sure some of those must contain magnets.
 
The single biggest disadvantage with Apple kit from my engineering point of view is the lack of connectivity to external (non computer) equipment and limited range of technical software. When someone brings out a DRO system (for example) on a Mac I might look again.
 
Ian Phillips
19/12/2011 15:00:15
Posted by Les Jones 1 on 19/12/2011 11:16:23:
Hi Anthony,
Some time ago I wondered if it would be possible to use one of the cheaper tablets a the ---
 
---possibilities ? Maybe we should start a new thread on this subject.
 
Les.

Edited By Les Jones 1 on 19/12/2011 11:17:35

Les
 
There is plenty of demand for a more/another DRO system and an interface that would work with a choice of hardware is very appealing.
 
I suppose it would be better to discuss this topic in an electronics forum rather than a mechanical engineering one?
 
Ian
19/12/2011 11:41:13
Posted by Les Jones 1 on 19/12/2011 11:16:23:
Hi Anthony,
Some time ago I wondered if it would be possible to use one of the cheaper tablets a the user interface for a DRO. At the time I was thinking of a way to make something like the Shumatech DRO350 or DRO550 but with a four line display. I was thinking that an external PIC or Atmel micro could convert the scale outputs to serial data. (The same way as the Yadro DRO works.) I do not think any of the tablets have a serial interface but they may have usb or bluetooth interfaces which could be used to communicate with the scale interface micro. Another method I thought about later was to have the scale micro present the data as a web page (The way routers etc do.) but I do not have the skills to write that sort of code. I started thinking along these lines after modifying the DRO350 code to run on a PIC18 processor which gives room for expansion. (The existing PIC16F876 was at its limit.) This did not come to anything as Scott Shumate asked me not to distribute any modified code for the DRO350. I wonder what your thoughts are on these possibilities ? Maybe we should start a new thread on this subject.
 
Les.

Edited By Les Jones 1 on 19/12/2011 11:17:35

Les
 
Something along the lines you discussed is definitely a good idea. One tablet/pad device that is definitely not suitable though, is the iPad. Its OK for what it is intended for but its one connector only really works with devices they Apple approve of!
 
These days the life and availability of a product can be quite short, if someone does develop a pad based DRO interface or whatever it has to be device independent.
 
My vote would be for an Android based device.
 
Ian
19/12/2011 11:26:09
Posted by Springbok on 19/12/2011 06:56:31:
Just out of curiosity why would you use an IPad in the workshop, my delight is getting into the workshop and getting away from all of that stuff. wife watching telly grandkids when they are round on computer games. Rest all trying to empty my drinks cabinet, went to Sandown last week with one of them and guess what he bought a computer game.
 
Merry Christmas to all
 
Bob
 
Bob
 
I have not actually used the iPad in the workshop, yet!
 
On the occasion I mentioned, I only took in to the workshop because I was passing through it.
 
In my opinion, the iPad (as it is sold) is very 'user unfriendly'. As a product it is beautifully manufactured but its slippery and delicate, so very difficult to hold comfortably. When I first got mine using it was dictated by having to be in a situation where there was somewhere to put it down. In use it can only really be held by the edges and if fingers wrap round too far and touch the screen they get seen as an input signal!
 
There are a multitude of after market covers and cases that both protect the iPad and also become 'stands' to tilt the screen etc.
 
IMHO Its pretty poor of Apple not to supply some protection as standard!
 
 
Thread: Vertical to Horizontal Mill conversion.
19/12/2011 11:08:42
Posted by charlie murphy on 18/12/2011 23:06:02:
hi
i have done this from a u/s grinder and it seems to work ok am loathe to publish anything
for fear of being ridiculed by some of the better engineers out there but if you are interested
you can contact me no problems
cheers
charlie m
 
 
Charlie
 
The last thing you should do is worry about what the others think! Regardless of how poor your opinion of what you have done, be assured there are plenty of people who have done jobs that are a complete mess. If solves the problem for that person that is all that matters.
 
I for one would be interested in how you mounted your gearbox.
 
Ian
 
 
Thread: iPad in the workshop, something to bear in mind!
18/12/2011 22:15:18
Its not a big deal, but just something to be aware of is the fact that there are several magnets inside the iPad casing and if you put it down on the bench, or in my case on a rag, swarf and iron filings will get attracted.
 
I put it on the rag because I thought it was better than direct on the bench, but forgot I had used the cloth to clean off a machined part, the magnets have a better grip than the oily fibres.
 
Ian
 
 
Thread: Vertical to Horizontal Mill conversion.
18/12/2011 22:04:24
I am pretty certain the gears will be up to the job but the weak point might be the bearings on the output spindle.
 
Ideally you want the saw to be solidly mounted with no play in the bearings. By design the the ballrace/s in an angle grinder are going to quite close together which will make any play in the baerings more noticeable.
 
Presumably the grinder input shaft is actually the motor armature spindle so if you ditch the motor you will have to engineer something to hold the gear.
 
Other than that the idea is sensible.
 
Ian
Thread: 2mm Milling Cutter
18/12/2011 20:05:14
Thats a nifty tip!
 
I have certainly not seen it before and I will definitely bear it in mind for small diameter cutters.
 
I can think of a variation to it that could be used if the prospect of keeping the two bores accurately concentric is a concern.
 
Basically drill a hole in a piece of brass rod the OD of which is slightly larger than the cutter shank and press it on the the cutter flutes. Grip the cutter shank in a collet (in the lathe or mill) and turn the OD to match the same diameter. In use the collet should grip both the steel and the brass sleeve.
 
If the hole is sized correctly the cutting edges should come to no harm but as in John's method it will add a lot of support.
 
I should have said the brass rod has to be shorter than the flutes!
 
Ian Phillips
Thread: Chuck locking ring.
09/12/2011 17:34:19
Posted by blowlamp on 09/12/2011 14:17:42:
Ian.
 
Remember that the ring will exert a magnified clamping force across the diameter of the flange by virtue of the fact that a reduction of the circumference will be multiplied by the function of pi.
 
So a change of 1 unit of the circumference (by tightening the clamp) divided by 3.142 equates to a theoretical change of 0.3182 units of diameter.
 
A kind of gearing or leverage effect is in action here and very little movement is required which is why - counterintuitively, it works.
 
 
Martin.
 
 
Yes, I agree that pi works to our advantage here but its the engineering aspect I dont understand.
 
tightening the bolt will close the gap in the ring, once the bolt and ring are snugged up increasing the torque in the bolt will try and reduce the ID of the ring which I imagine relies on some slip between the (cylindrical) joint faces, so friction must come into play here?
 
Actually its probably not relevant because once the two items are in solid contact they can probably be regarded as one, so if the collar was (radially) thick enough then the chordal clamping bolt could be installed directly in that. Even if there were no slot the principle would still work but would rely on the bolt compressing a segment of the collar reducing its ID. For the locking device that Clive showed to work it has to compress solid metal anyway.
 
Ian
 
 
 
 
 
09/12/2011 13:18:51
I can fully understand the concept of the clamp reducing the ID of the backplate collar so that it grips the mandrel better. What I cannot get my head round is how an M6 bolt can provide enough force to close down such a thick annulus of cast iron.
 
Metal is certainly compressible, I once saw a test rig that compressed a 1.5m length of 3" diameter steel (big diesel engine con rod) repetitively, at a guess it shortened by 5mm then sprung back every time). With this chuck clamp, any clearance on the register would certainly nullify any reduction in diameter.
 
Unfortunately I don't have a Schaublin to look at but wonder if there is anything else involved that we don't know about, like slits in the collar to allow it to move?
 
Ian Phillips
Thread: Greiner Ultrasonic Cleaner Repairs
08/12/2011 22:09:51
Its starting to bring back memories! I know the valves are double triodes and datasheets and new valves (probably Russian) should be obtainable.
 
It would be possible to get a transformer wound (or wind it yourself) altenatively it might be easier to use more than one transformer to get the right combination of voltages needed. One transformer source might be from the HiFi fraternity, a branch of which is convinced that 'Valve Sound' is best. If there are no readable markings on the transformer you may have to dismantle it to work out the ratios etc.
 
Even though it old there is no reason why it cannot be restored to good health, it just depends how much it means to you. I would imagine there will be other components that should be replaced (capacitors most likely) and definately check to ensure the mains wiring side is as safe as it should be.
 
Ian
 
PS
By memory, I did not mean this exact device, just stuff from the same era.

Edited By Ian P on 08/12/2011 22:11:24

Thread: Chuck locking ring.
08/12/2011 21:43:21
Sorry for being thick, I can see thet the ring closes down to grip on an OD but Is the bore stepped so that it clamps on the OD of both the backplate -and- the exposed part of the spindle?
 
Ian
Thread: Greiner Ultrasonic Cleaner Repairs
08/12/2011 20:39:22
John
 
You say you only need 240V, is that just the primary operating voltage?
 
If its has valves (how may?) then the secondary must have multiple windings so do you know what voltage and current each of these need to be?
 
I would not be convinced that it is just the transformer thats failed, something probably caused it to overheat first.
 
Photos, model number etc would help.
 
Ian Phillips
 
 
 
 
Thread: Chuck locking ring.
08/12/2011 18:41:51
Clive
 
How does it work?
 
I have looked at the picture (in your Myford album?) and I can see it gripping the backplate collar tightly, but what does it connect to on the spindle?
 
The main point is though, will it work on a Boxford?
 
Ian Phillips
Thread: Repulsion elecric motor
05/12/2011 11:39:12
It sounds like a normal single phase induction motor.
 
If your yellow/green description refer to a single wire (so that there are three wires in total coming from the motor) then that is the earth lead and should be connected to the motor metalwork. The other two wires just go to live and neutral.
 
On thing you can do if you are unsure about things is wire a 100Watt (or 150W is better) in series with one of the wires to the mains. The motor may just run at low power (you might need to give the spindle a twist) but if the winding are shorted then the lamp will just light at full brilliance and no damage will be done. Once you know its OK wire up as normal.
 
Ian
05/12/2011 08:03:08
I think it would help if you could post a picture of the motor, or at least give all the details shown on the rating plate.
 
Ian
Thread: DRO for Tom Senior M1 mill
22/11/2011 21:08:39
Len
 
I cannot offer any direct info but I too am considering fitting igaging DROs to my mill (not a Tom Senior).
 
These scales work on the same principle as cheap Chinese calipers and as such 'can' suffer from swarf ingress and of coarse limited resolution . The big advantage with having a separate display is that the scale can be sited out of harms way.
 
I hacked two 6" calipers and fitted them to a small mill last year, they transformed the use of the machine but having to mount them so the display was readable meant they required frequent dismantling to clean them. I don't think the same would apply to a remote display setup.
 
One question that might be worth asking of igaging relates to 'auto power off' and whether the last reading is stored when off.
 
The calipers I used switched off the display after 10 minutes or so. When I switched the caliper back on the display showed the value it had when it turned off. If I went away from a job for a cup of tea I knew I could just carry on from where I left off. The new calipers I have also switch themselves off, BUT, they always initialise to zero. I don't know whether the igaging scales have auto off but it would be worth asking before you buy.
 
Ian Phillips
 
f
Thread: A 'must see' brilliant website
19/11/2011 09:51:08
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 19/11/2011 08:41:15:

Here is an interesting variation on the Hydro theme.
... a slow speed Archimedean Screw is geared-up to drive the generator.

There are two community projects near to me:
http://www.torrshydro.org/
http://www.stockport-hydro.co.uk/

MichaelG.
 
 
Thanks or the two links. Even though I Live near Stockport and used to work there several years ago I had not heard of either of these schemes, its a bit disappointing though that both the sites give so little technical information on the projects. Both sites probably cost plenty yet one man can build his own system -and- document it with great clarity.
 
Actually I am in awe of his range of skills and accomplishments.
 
Ian Phillips
 
18/11/2011 20:55:29
I was recently given a link to a website (apparently a blog really) that is an absolute must read.
 
The site owner has built his own hydroelectric system (including the turbine) described and documented it along with hundreds of other topics in the most informative and readable writing I have seen in a long time.
 
There is just too much to mention it all here but as examples, look at his model Wankel engine rebuild, his notes on imperial/metric measurements and say, his article on making a 12V 20Amp supply.
 
I guarantee that once you have read the first few paragraphs of his experiences you will be hooked!
 
There is lots of engineering content so its not off topic here, my only regret is it might keep you out of the workshop for a bit... but you will learn something.
 
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