Member postings for Bikepete

"I would have liked to have used an engine crane or sack barrow but like I've said I've gotta take it through the house and something like an engine hoist just won't fit hence why I have to carry."

I'm finding it hard to imagine a house that a sack barrow won't go through, if you can walk through it. An engine crane is obviously a completely different beast, no chance in most houses. But most sack barrows are narrower than a typical internal door. Wonder if we're thinking the same sort of barrow? Upright, two wheels? e.g. one of these?

Massively safer IMO using one of those with the load strapped to it and close to the floor, than carrying 100 kg 'loose', even with two people.

Edited By Bikepete on 13/02/2017 17:32:53

1 HP, also known as 0.75 kW. Almost always you just need a VFD with the same power rating as the motor.

Glad it was of use John C. Have you tried using it to power a drill?

If you can find some cheap, Speakon connectors are good for high DC currents, if a bit bulky.

Goodwin Technology do DRO repairs in the UK, including kit of that vintage: see here.

Use them often, held in an ER32 collet. Bigger ones are usually available fairly cheap at a local autojumble.

This one looks interesting:

Promo:

Edited By Bikepete on 16/01/2017 14:06:47

I also have a couple of dead nicad drills wanting re-powering. Interesting that a computer PSUs is not up to it. But they would be a cheap solution. I was pondering trying some of the really hefty ones intended for powering servers - e.g. this one is rated at 36A, 12V for £6.99 inc postage - or this one with 12.1V, 69A, £8.54 inc postage! Often there are instructions on the web for hooking them up e.g. here. Was thinking that the extra capacity might let them cope with the start-up current... anyone tried it?

PS most new drill/drivers, even cheapish ones, now use lithium batteries - might they survive your usage better than nicads?

Edited By Bikepete on 16/01/2017 10:18:48

Similarly I'm the only user of my stuff, but I always have in mind that if run over by a bus, all my tools would be disposed of and go on to who knows who. Or I might want to sell them on so as to upgrade or downsize. So I try to label any custom controls clearly and make things reasonably 'as you would expect'. Another nice courtesy to the next user is to print out a circuit diagram of anything you have made or modified, and pop a copy into the control cabinet (secured where it can't be a fire risk) for the next user to find when they open it up...

Worth mentioning perhaps that VFD EMC filters often have a high earth leakage current, which can cause domestic RCD-protected circuits to trip. See many long discussions elsewhere on this forum!

Also, many inverters now have EMC filters built in so no need for a separate unit.

Edited By Bikepete on 12/01/2017 18:55:35

At the risk of swimming against the tide I can't see why you wouldn't go for the 16mm and just drop the toolbit down a tad (1mm or so) in the holder so that it is still bang on centre. Wouldn't work for most carbide insert tooling, but for this particular design I can't see that it would be a problem. Always good to go for the most rigid set-up possible, and 16mm square is a fair bit more chunky than 12mm. That you can hold it with all 3 screws is even better.

(Disclaimer - I don't actually own one, so if someone knows better and can say that slipping the toolbit down by 1mm will compromise the function at all, I'll happily be corrected...)

Edited By Bikepete on 09/01/2017 21:37:38

No idea either what the 14" machine is - but four jaw, fixed steady and taper turning attachment are all visible in the pics. Could be worse...

If we're looking at a sub £400 budget that limits the options somewhat. But still a good chance something suitable will come up - may take persistence in watching the used listings for days/weeks/months - or local word of mouth might bag you one. Good luck.

Yes, I just entered a postcode in Capel Curig (chosen randomly via Google maps as suitably representative of North Wales!) then did a search for "lathe" in the "business, office and industrial" category, selecting 'used' only and sorting the results by 'nearest first'. Then just looked through the first few pages for promising candidates.

EDIT: If you can't find them let me know and I'll message you with the links.

Edited By Bikepete on 09/01/2017 16:58:16

If you're happy to 'go bigger' then go for it! As a former Myford owner I'm now a big fan of 'heavy iron' - which kinda means a floor standing 'proper' industrial lathe (& mill in due course!) - a bit more effort to move and install but a pleasure every time you use them thereafter.

A Boxford is about the smallest I'd look at - on its stand it weighs rather less than the models Carl suggested - 250 kg or so? Same as two hefty blokes (or three skinny ones) standing next to each other. Most sheds shouldn't need too much reinforcing to hold that. Some hefty timbers under it might be good anyway to raise the working height, especially if you're tall. Also Boxfords can be easily dismantled into smaller chunks for transport/moving if need be. Appear to be several on sale in North Wales just now on Ebay.... (e.g. in Bangor, Carwen, Caernarfon, Whitchurch)...

But maybe best not get too set on any one brand - just be patient until something you fancy (and which is in a condition you're happy with i.e. not worn out/knackered) comes up within striking distance... so you have a chance to inspect if at all possible.

If you're up for taking on an older model there's a decent sized lathe with plenty of vintage charm on sale in Church Stretton just now, too...

Edited By Bikepete on 09/01/2017 16:22:59

Edited By Bikepete on 09/01/2017 16:32:09

There may well be quality differences between consoles that look the same. E.g. the same seller also sells Sino readouts at a higher price, and on the 'real' Sino listing it mentions the case is diecast metal - on the cheaper version it's not completely clear but it's likely plastic.

I've always rather lusted after a Huron milling machine... oh for a bigger shed...

But anyway, could you maybe be clearer what the adaptor is for? To adapt the head to another mill maybe?

I'm guessing the head is one of the two recently ended on Ebay?

"angle grinder with 1mm cutting disc"

Handy indeed but throws nasty gritty sparks everywhere and is noisy. In a small workshop may be less practical. Also, angle grinders (especially with thin blades) are potentially 'scary' if you're not confident and firm of hand and arm. Any sort of saw is a lot quieter, cleaner and more controlled, if slower...

Edited By Bikepete on 19/12/2016 23:49:28

Any chance non electric heating might be worth a try? e.g. Wood burner with chimney? Or a gas fire which vents the exhaust to outside. Also if it can be really well insulated and draught proofed the heat requirement goes right down. Good luck either way.

Note that the Inverter Supermarket prices don't include VAT (20%) or shipping (about a tenner IIRC). So £191 turns into more like £240 delivered...

Sorry if I'm missing something but do you really need more than a 2.2 kW inverter to run a 2.2 kW motor? As far as I'm aware and in my experience, reasonably modern inverters will do what they say on the tin - no need to over-rate. Might be worth trying the 2.2 kW one on some 'real work' - I'd be surprised if it wasn't perfectly adequate.

There's also a much wider choice of single phase input VFDs in <= 2.2 kW than there is in higher power ratings.

"Also where can I obtain the correct oil for the gearbox, Esso Febis K68."

See long discussion on oil equivalents e.g. here - I would think any modern ISO 68 hydraulic oil would be fine. Plenty available in small quantities e.g. on Ebay and also elsewhere. Subject of oils comes up frequently in this forum, a search will find other threads on it too.

Edited By Bikepete on 25/11/2016 23:06:20