Member postings for Ian Johnson 1

Brilliant! Still remember his how a fax machine works episode, all explained in a light hearted but very informative way.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll hunt down the new series

IanJ

Hi Andy I have put 4 photos of the manual for this lathe in my photo album, under warco mini lathe, from a request from John. they explain the function buttons and how to use the 'M' button. Little bit of chinese English to wade through, but John worked it out okay.

I still haven't used the 'm' function yet! My machine always starts at the last speed used, no need to keep pressing the speed buttons, you may have inadvertently pressed the memory function by mistake.

I have the manual, if you need more info I can take some photos of the relevant pages.

IanJ

No problem Alan glad to help out. Hope the covid issues get sorted! I've got my first jab booked in the next couple of weeks!

Can't see me starting the lady stephanie any time soon, I've been making the stothert and Pitt beam engine for what seems like a lifetime! But John carruthers model is really nice and could provide some inspiration.

IanJ

Yes the Male fittings are made from solid bar, probably on a sliding head CNC. I don't think the nuts are hot stamping produced, because they lack the incredible detail, the lettering and surface finish is very poor.

I can understand economy of scale manufacturing for millions of pieces, still not sure of how the nuts are made though. The surface finish looks like a brass casting to me, a sintered piece would maybe be smoother? Not sure what a hot pressed brass nut surface looks like, but anything pressed on a die would be smoother and more detailed?

IanJ

I bought some brass plumbing connectors today, 1/2" bsp to 1/4"bsp male thread. The main body is machined out of solid brass bar, but the nuts look like they are cast and then machined.

This got me wondering why? Why go to the trouble of casting something and then machining the threads, using different processes and probably different factories, surely it would be quicker and easier to machine them out of hexagon bar, in the same factory which makes the main body?

IanJ

Reply sent John, quite speedy and efficient for me! Must be having a good day!

Glad to help John.

To turn the motor on you press the spindle rotation buttons either side of the red button (this is the spindle stop button) the left button is forward for normal machining and the right button is reverse. The + and - buttons regulate the spindle speed, you can use these buttons while the machine is running to adjust the revs to suit your job.

I have never used the 'm' button I think it's a 'memory' function, I'll need to look at the manual to be certain. So I wouldn't worry about it.

And there is the big emergency stop button, mine stopped working years ago, couldn't be bothered to fix it, so left it alone because the lathe works just as well without it. So I wouldn't worry about that either!

IanJ

I think I have the same model John, the one with the USA made main circuit board.

Is this photo any use to you?

IanJ

Made a little 4th axis tailstock for my Sieg KX1, mainly out of aluminium with brass thumb screws (you may recognise the top one from my video posted in the CNC page the other day).

The height adjustment is via two 5 degree ramps,which gives about 20 thou adjustment, but I still needed a 6 thou shim because I mis-measured the centre height! Doh!

It works quite well too, just need to find a job for it now!

IanJ

Thanks Jason I think it produces a decent V shape, but like Ron pointed out it can look a bit 'off' if not set up correctly, it will produce a 'L' shape, although it will still be 90 degrees. I have made a few knobs and wheels with this method, mainly to get used to using the 4th axis.

IanJ

You are right Ron, the V is not perfect, I aligned the cutter edge to 45 degrees from the centre of the job, moved the Y and Z axis equally and was out by a few thou! I think the Z axis zeroed itself, or I pressed zero by mistake and I over corrected the error.

I've not done a lot of CNC work on my KX1 recently, but I am making a little tailstock for the 4th axis, just in case I want to do some gear cutting on a mandrel or something that requires supporting.

This is a little M6 brass thumb screw for the tailstock. I prefer a spline (or grooves) rather than a knurl, I think it looks better and gives better grip.

So if you want a bit of CNC action here's a link to a short YouTube video of machining the splines on the KX1, using my handwritten program for 18 splines. Works quite well!

https://youtu.be/FPoTh36CF54

If the link doesn't work here is a photo instead (with the 4th axis in the background)

IanJ

Edited By JasonB on 14/02/2021 07:04:39

Hi Paul welcome to the forum, sounds like you have a great workshop and machines.

Reading about your electrical issues I think you should dip into your bank account and drag out a wedge of cash, and give it to a electrician who knows what they are doing, get it all fixed then enjoy using the machines safe in the knowledge that they won't blow up and burn your house down!

IanJ

A lot of 'approximately and aboutery' here! If that explanation is true (wikipedia) then all thread angles are based on guesswork and experience, with companies and governments wanting to protect their product and standards with their special and unique thread forms.

IanJ

I remember one of the F1 team engineers, may have been team McLaren? He said he didn't use washers on the cars because he didn't see why they should get a free ride around the race track. In other words washers are not an essential component.

IanJ

Out of interest Peter what type of filament did you use for the bracket? I would think it would get hot so close to the engine, maybe hot enough to melt PLA?

I'm just getting into the world of 3D printing, my new toy, the Ender 3 V2 can use PLA or ABS, I'm using PLA at the moment because that's all I've got

Nice engine by the way

IanJ

I've operated big lathes with two tool posts, with hydraulic copiers, but that is just showing off with three toolposts!

IanJ

Yes a 3d printer is a means to an end, I'm treating mine like a toy at the moment, to while away some covid lockdown hours! but I'm sure there will be a useful project or two made on it eventually.

I operated the first modern CNC lathes in the early 80's and there was a lot of opposition to them at the time, because we were all manual machinists, but over a short time we embraced the technology and introduced more machines to increase production. Different skills were adopted for the better I think.

IanJ

3D printing things for the 3D printer! Haha

Mine is alive and moving now, not made anything yet, but I had a look at thingiverse and my oh my what a mind boggling selection of stuff!

I am impressed with the build quality of the ender 3, although one of the base rails has a slight bow where the Zaxis profiles sits, I left it alone and it seems okay for now. But I knew nothing about 3D printers until now, let's see how it goes!

IanJ