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Member postings for clivel

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

Thread: Which chuck to buy for first lathe ?
15/07/2015 17:26:05
Posted by Brian John on 15/07/2015 14:17:09:

NOTE : The Taig lathes do not seem to come assembled. You have to put them together yourself. The motor is also a separate purchase which seems quite odd.

The prices charged by Taig Australia seem to be rather excessive, especially as they only seem to supply the lathe as a kit.
The US site offers the lathe factory assembled including power-feed for $319US or as a kit for only $171US **LINK** those prices don't include the motor or for some strange reason the tail-stock which is available separately for $43.

The advantage of having the motor as a separate item, is reduced shipping costs and more flexible choice for the end user who may prefer for example to fit a variable speed DC motor.
It is a pity though that Taig does not offer a metric version of the lathe.

Clive

11/07/2015 05:48:09
Posted by Brian John on 10/07/2015 16:39:00:

The Sherline lathes cost twice as much. A few people did say that they were not all that good but I think they were biased towards the Sieg machines.

Have you considered the Taig (known as the Peatol in the UK), many people consider them to be as good as the Sherline but considerably cheaper.

Clive


Thread: LOCOMOTIVE BUILDING STAND
10/07/2015 19:51:44

Hi Pierre,
A most useful site is the Model Engineer magazine Index at www.itech.net.au/modelengineer
I find it most convenient to select "sort: by Issue" before selecting the Submit button.

Entering building stand into the search field returned a number of useful results.

Clive

Thread: Issue 4511
08/07/2015 15:50:53

My Hobby Store has it in stock:

http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/323439/model-engineer-no-4511

Edited By clivel on 08/07/2015 15:51:21

Thread: Wabeco 2000/3000 Lathes
28/06/2015 19:02:01

I have a Unimat PC Basic with bar beds, larger than the Unimat SL but smaller than the Wabeco. I find the whole lathe very rigid and have had no problems with vibration.

All in all I find that the bar beds work well, however one thing that I do find to be a huge annoyance is the lack of a suitable surface to use as a reference. Trying to set up a mag-base and indicator was a trying and time consuming experience (although a recently purchased Noga mag-base has helped considerably).

Clive

Thread: QCTP to suit Unimat 3 Lathe.
22/06/2015 16:45:42

I got my QCTP from Pro Machine Tools, I see that they still show the Emco made QCTP with 2 tool-holders as in-stock. They also carry the individual tool-holders.

Similar Far Eastern clones can be found on eBay, however they or may not be compatible.

Clive

Thread: Electrolysis style rust removal
18/06/2015 17:52:20

Not as cheap as some of the other solutions offered, but not terribly expensive either, and being reusable, a bottle seems to last for years is Evapo-Rust.
It is incredibly effective and completely non-toxic, it can safely be poured down the domestic drain once one is ready to dispose of it nor is it harmful to ones skin.

A pile of rusty castings for a pair of Stuarts, a 10V and 10H, I was given some time back:

rustycastings.jpg

The boxbed after a couple hours in Evapo-Rust then a rinse in hot water. It looks like a brand new casting;

afterevaporust.jpg

Even the pile of rusty nuts and bolts in the top left corner of the first image cleaned up amazingly after a few hours soak, unfortunately I didn't think to take a photo at the time.

Evapo-Rrust is carried by many of the larger hardware stores in Canada, a web search indicates that it can also be obtained in the UK evapo-rust.co.uk

Clive

Thread: Missing Magazine
17/06/2015 08:02:12

Hi Paul,

You don't say what part of the world you are in, but if not the UK, it might just be the post playing up.
I am in Canada and only received the June issue today. Although MEW generally arrives during the first week of the month, every now and again there is a delay so I wasn't too concerned.


Over the past few years I have noticed that post from the UK to here slows down to a crawl during the summer months (June to August), but, because other than local post, most of my post comes from the UK, it is hard to say whether the delay is in the UK or on this end. Either way, it might be worth waiting a few more days.

Clive

Thread: Noga vs. Warco?
16/06/2015 17:05:34
Posted by David Jupp on 16/06/2015 10:56:05:
Posted by Martin Millener on 15/06/2015 23:11:25:

So still not ordered, just yet - I see they are available in the UK at about 20% more than eBay from the States (so the same price if I get charged VAT on the incoming package)

You will likely also be charged a significant 'handling charge' on top of the VAT by Royal Mail (assuming they handle the import).

We in Canada are in a similar situation to the UK when it come to shipping from the US. Canada Post also charges a collection fee on top of the GST (general sales tax) that we pay.

The advantage of the eBay Global Shipping Programme, is that it is all inclusive, the import charges they list are intended to cover all costs, including VAT and brokerage/collection fees. The price you see is the final cost so there should be no unpleasant surprises on delivery.
The disadvantage of the programme is that it is not particularly cheap, but at least one knows exactly what the costs are upfront.

Clive

16/06/2015 00:41:58

Martin,
It is a pity that you missed out on the 20% redemption code sad

@Ketan - my probably "60kg pull" version is pretty hopeless, it won't support itself at reasonable extension with a DTI fitted when stuck sideways onto the mill column. It might be 60kg to pull it off vertically, but it rocks sideways far to easily IMHO. Mind you the Noga is only 81kg pull so not a huge difference, and the sideways grip isn't defined

I regularly use it mounted on the round column of the Unimat milling attachment, as this is about the most practical way of aligning the milling table (when fitted).

nogamagbase1.jpg

The Noga grasps very strongly in the vertical mode, there is absolutely no slippage, and horizontally there is no rocking at all. It is however possible to grasp it firmly and rotate it around the column. It takes a fair amount of force to do this, so there is very little danger of this happening accidentally.

Clive

15/06/2015 19:01:34

I was fortunate find an almost brand new Noga DG61003 at a very reasonable price on a garage sale last summer.

nogamagbase.jpg

At first I thought that it may be overkill on my little Unimat, but in actual fact it has worked out very well. One of the disadvantages of this lathe with a round rod bed, is that the only suitable place for a mag base is on the cross slide. Prior to getting the Noga it could take 10 to 15 minutes of frustrating juggling to get the DI into a usable position in relation to the work.
Now it is simplicity itself taking less than a minute. My left hand grasps the DI, my right hand releases all joints in the articulated arms with a half turn of the black knob, thus allowing the DI to be moved almost friction free into position. A half turn back on the knob locks it all up solid again.

Compared to the no-name-brand mag base I was using before, besides being a far more practical design, it is also extremely well made, with no rough edges it has a quality feel, and the locking screws lock with the minimum of force and stay locked. Definitely not a cheap made in China item, I believe that it is made in Israel.

In my situation, I have found it such a time saver, that even at the full eBay price, it would have been well worth it.

Clive

Thread: Steve Eaton Toby 0-4-2
13/06/2015 17:35:08

If you are considering Toby because of it's simplicity, why complicate things by scaling it up, Instead you could consider one of the many existing 5" gauge designs suitable for beginners.

As you are in Australia you might consider the Australian designed Blowfly alternatively the Don Young Railmotor 1 or Railmotor 2 or something like the Jack Butler's very popular Sweet Pea. The build series for the Don Young Railmotors can be found in Model Engineer during 1968 and 1969, back issues are carried by larger libraries as well as model engineering societies..

Clive

Thread: Signing one's work
13/06/2015 00:43:49

When I have a few minutes spare I sometimes like to browse the Station Road Steam website, it contains an excellent archive of photographs of a huge variety of models, some of which have been built to a very high standard.

While browsing today, it occurred to me that many of these model will live on while the builders often disappear into anonymity.
Given the enormous amount of time, skill and effort required to produce these models, I find that quite sad.

Many craftsmen and artists in other fields sign their work so why not the model engineer, perhaps a signature in the form of an unobtrusive plaque or engraved name and date inside the frames for example.
Or maybe many do, and I have just not noticed it. What do other think?

Thread: Colour inside of frames
29/04/2015 17:33:10

Hi J Hancock.
Thanks for the warning. Are the tolerances just very close or are there actual errors in the valve gear dimensions?
Also, are there any other errors on the drawings that you may be aware of?
Thanks

20/04/2015 17:27:04

Hi Julian,
Thanks, that is very helpful.
Clive

17/04/2015 17:22:00

Hi Julian,
As usual you are a mine of useful information smiley
I am planning on finishing the loco in LMS unlined black livery something like this LMS 4MT 2-6-4T No 2435 mainly because I have seen too many models spoiled by poorly executed lining and I don't have much faith in my lining ability.
Would red between the frames be appropriate in this case?
Also, where the frames extend above the running boards in front of the smokebox, for red-inside-frames is the visible part left red or painted black? Photos I have found of models are inconsistent; showing both variations.

I am probably being a bit finicky, but seeing as it shouldn't take much more effort to get it right, I might as well try.
Thanks,
Clive

14/04/2015 17:46:59

I recently acquired the part built frames for a 3.5" gauge Stanier 2-6-4T (Martin Evans Jubilee) which I would like to paint, but not having had the privilege of seeing a full size British loco in person, I have instead had to rely on photos. Unfortunately this has not been too helpful as models of Jubilee, mainly found on the Station Road Steam site, are far from consistent whether in BR or LMS liveries.

I do believe that some of the pre-grouping companies only used red inside the frames from behind the smokebox to as far back as the front of the firebox. But I have no idea as to how prevalent this colour scheme was and whether it continued into the BR days.

Personally I find the large red areas of the inside of the frames which are so visible on a small loco quite jarring, On full size locos the angle of view makes the red less visible and also much more subdued due to grime, grease and wear. So I am considering black, but even though it is my loco and I can paint it how I like, I would at least like it to have a passing semblance to the full size prototype.

Clive

Thread: Lathe Tool Posts
02/04/2015 06:53:20
Posted by Roger Provins 2 on 02/04/2015 06:42:15:

Who gets all the cash difference between the charge to the buyer and the sellers actual cost?

Roger

A company called Pitney Bowes does the shipping. From what I understand the seller mails the item to them, and then they ship it to the buyer. However I don't know if Pitney Bowes keeps all the profit or if they pay a Percentage to eBay.

02/04/2015 06:16:36

Alan,
Aloris and also Dorian are the trade names of similar and compatible US made Quick Change Toolposts. They are not cheap.
The much more affordable Chinese clones can be found on eBay, a search for "AXA Toolpost" (without the quotes) should turn up a few examples. AXA indicates the size, this is suitable for lathes up to around 12" swing; for larger lathes, the next size up would be the BXA.

As mentioned by Andrew, there are two different kinds of toolposts; the wedge type and the slightly cheaper piston type - the actual toolholders are interchangeable. From what I have read, the wedge type is considered by many people to be preferable, it supposedly has better holding power, but I cannot vouch for this.

About 6 months ago I bought an AXA wedge type toolpost set from CDCO TOOLS, after factoring in shipping to here in Canada they offered a better deal than what I could find on eBay at the time. So far I have been very happy with the toolpost,

Off topic - eBay Global Shipping program:
This is the biggest rip-off imaginable. A book I have been searching for, for ages was recently listed on eBay. The Global Shipping price quoted for the A4 sized book of around 100 page from the US to Canada was $19.42
I contacted the seller who agreed to ship it via the much more reasonable US Postal service, so I subsequently bid on and won the book. Unfortunately the eBay system would not allow the seller to invoice the lower price, so in the end, as I really very much wanted the book and rather than renege on the deal, I agreed to pay the $19.42 for Global Shipping. The book arrived today, a very long two weeks after the seller had dispatched it via the programme, and here's the kicker, the US Postage paid on the padded envelope it arrived in was only $3.17 to say I am furious at eBay is an understatement!

Clive

Edited By clivel on 02/04/2015 06:17:56

Thread: Fake Mitutoyo Digital Callipers on eBay
28/03/2015 20:13:53

I cannot understand why anyone would knowingly collude with criminals to defraud a name brand by deliberately purchasing counterfeit products.

If one wishes to economise, it is easy enough to find a wide range of cheap Chinese sourced products that do not include fraud as part of their marketing plan.

Besides which there is a far more sinister side to counterfeiting, one that extends well beyond petty fraud. For example fake transistors that from the outside appear to be the real thing. Once physically cut open, they reveal the inferior quality that will only become apparent when a critical piece of equipment fails prematurely in service

fake-transistor.jpg

Counterfeiting will continue while enough people refuse to see it for the crime that it is, and as a result everyone suffers.

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