Member postings for Ian P

If these tapped holes are on a tangent then drilling the grubscrews with a hand held pistol drill is not likely to go well as you have discovered.

If the threads are M6 and you have a lathe I suggest making drilling jigs from some M6 bolts by drilling them concentrically (say 4mm) and using them to guide a good quality sharp drill (ideally following the use of a spotting drill) to ensure the best chance of staying on axis. The donor bolts need to be long enough for their hex heads not to collide with the surface of the planer drum

Make several drilling jigs as its likely the bore of the jig will get ovalised.

I have recovered quite a few butchered Allen grub screws using the above method

Ian P

It may have rounded off bottoms as well in which case it looks suspiciously like a 'knuckle' thread.

Ian P

It just seemed a poor article to me.

The heading text on the article referred to people improvising tailstocks, rather than DRO's on tailstocks.

Not many people are without internet access these days but since MEW is read in other countries a pointer to the suppliers address and contact details would not be out of place. I found the seller on ebay but not everyone trusts, likes or wants to buy off auction sites. (I'm fine with it!)

Ian P

P.S. I still don't know what SMAC is

and anyone without internet access......

IanP

Typo in my heading. Its issue 325 of MEW

IanP

I occasionally spot the odd error that creeps into MEW articles but I control the pedant in me and refrain from commenting mainly because I don't think it would be fair on the author.

The article on page 55 of MEW 325 seems wrong on so many aspects but this time I don't feel guilty about commenting on it as the author is not identified.

Initially I presumed it was an advert for the product but if it was I would have expected to see the manufacturer or suppliers details as the end of the text.

If it was an article submitted by a contributor to MEW the authors name (and often a picture) usually appears on the first page of the article.

Whilst the MEW index has a sensible title for the article the text article text itself begins as if its about 'improvised tailstocks'. It not a big boo boo but I'm surprised it slipped through.

Whilst the author does give any more details than the supplier being called LINN Tools and being findable with an online search, its not going to help readers (especially non UK) who do not have internet access.

The pictures in the article look to have come out of the 'could do better' category in the current 'Workshop Photography' article currently running in MEW. They are very poorly lit and do not even show details that are 'illustrated in photo 3'.

If I was considering purchasing the LINN DRO (or any digital caliper type device) is whether the reading is retained if the caliper blanks the display, whether it is by manual or auto power off.

Am I being to critical?

Ian P

Its quite possible that the PCB contains an PSU with an isolated output but in one sense its irrelevant as almost certainly it will not be compliant with UK regs.

I know you have the lights fitted to a machine and in use, so please be careful, I suggest finding some way of adding a ground wire to metal flexy bit.

This comes up on Google

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Are two pin plugs legal in UK?

The three-pin/two-pin plug problem also arises if you're a UK retailer or distributor selling devices manufactured in Europe that come to you with a two-pin connector attached. UK law insists that all European electrical products must be converted to a three-pin UK plug before sale or distribution.
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Ian P

Duncan, I dont want to take Grahams thread too far off topic but from your description those work lights should not be on sale in the UK.

From the descriptions of the ones being sold on ebay and Amazon I would have assumed that there was a proper SMPS in the magnetic base, if its just a capacitor dropper than I'm appalled! Please can you confirm if that the case?

In any event the ones I have seen are being marketed with a USA 2 pin plug so the product is wrong on several levels. But they look downright dangerous.

Ian P

A friend wanting to measure the thickness of his car fibreglass bodywork made a lash-up double ended caliper with a 80cm throat at one end and a 30mm stroke dial indicator at the other. He made a calibration table to interpret the readings.

Ian P

You did better than I did Nigel! and it confirms it is a woodturning chuck.

Ian P

I borrowed a thread gauge so now I know it is 1.5mm pitch.

Still looking tor what it might fit and find someone that wants to buy it.

Ian P

I thought that too, but its a fine pitch thread and not like woodworking lathes I've seen.

Ian P

Definitely not a power chuck!

Its quite lightweight and unusual in that the the (reversible) jaws are inserted from the centre bore outwards.

Ian P

In my collection of things that seemed a good idea at the time, I have a lever operated 4 jaw chuck that has an integral thread which seems quite fine in comparison to most lathes I know of.

The chuck is German, made by Niles, so I assume it a metric thread 32x1.5p

Does that size ring a bell with anyone?

Ian P

I'm pretty sure that a microswitch from any of the well know manufacturers will be of good quality and highly reliable.

Could it be that your switches are having to handle a current or voltage outside their specifications?

Ian P

I think that is a really good question Andrew and I couldn't have put it better myself.

Ian P

I agree. Actually its NOT providing a DXF or dwg file that puts the price up.

Ian P

I've used Microkerf for a few years now with complete satisfaction. The best part as far as I am concerned is that the quoting is online 24/7 and its interactive. Its easy to make changes to thickness, material, profile or part quantity and immediately see the difference in cost.

No connection other than a satisfied customer

Only downside is their website is a bit quirky!

Link below

Microkerf

Ian P

Thanks for the link Michael, I''ve just ordered two.

Ian P

Looks like Henley Solon iron so quite elderly and (depending one which model/wattage) not ideal for modern electronic equipment.

If there is leakage to ground in the element then its toast, if its just a wiring or cable fault then its an easy repair.

I would put it on ebay (they seem to be wanted by some collector or enthusiasts) and get a new proper new iron

Ian P