Member postings for DMB

Just checked my renewal dates and found to be OK - MEW Jan 23 & ME Apl 23.

There were recent warnings in the mags that you take action to ensure continuity.

John

If this is leading up to a paywall introduction, then Morton's can stuff it. If, as JasonB says, many users contribute nothing, fair enough - charge them. Just reserve free use for those ( like me ) who have a subscription as a benefit of same. Been taking ME for 60+ years and MEW from no. 1. Most of those 60 years managed without internet's recent invention so won't miss the Forum enough to feel the need to pay for it on top of two expensive subscriptions.

I usually drill tapping size+ then change to tap in the drill chuck and get it started then move work to next position and repeat. No alignment problems. I recently did 4 off M3 in the edge of a 5mm thick plate of BMS for the swivel base part 31 in Harold Halls tool and cutter grinding jig. Done on a knee type mill, carefully hand winding the vertical spindle and gently raising the table. Still possess the unbroken tap! Lucky or what? Having completed it, realised that I had put said holes in wrong side of plate!! Now what? Take safest way out and re-tap the row of 6 off M6 holes on the 50mm wide side in the opposite side, 15mm from that edge which would make the original error very obvious or re - do the riskier M3 holes again on the opposite edge. I now had the confidence to go for the latter. So, 8 small blind tapped holes in total, punishment for not reading the drawing properly, ha, ha.

Ramon, I also have those flat tap wrenches in 2 different sizes and really like using them. Last time a few weeks ago with M2 in BMS, with thin oil concoction. I have made a couple of your knurled disc type holders, but from a Joe Piezincski video on YouTube. Am thinking what a good idea of yours, pre - threaded brass inserts and why didn't I think of that! Just one fly in the ointment, quoting LBSC, will the Loctite withstand the hot steam? Is it a special heat resistant type? I have further suggestions, always use thin oil rather than any form of paste/gease jollop for small taps in say BMS. It's easy to wash out oil and swarf with paraffin, My thin oil concoction for small taps is what Guy Lautard recommended in one of his books, 3 parts Olive oil + 2 parts White Spirit + 1 part Genuine Turpentine. I found it works a treat and smells pleasant! I use a tall narrow bottle with a strip of paper with the graduations stuck on the side, to mix up. Oh and one further suggestion from a fellow club member who was teaching school metalwork some while ago, always use the very next larger diameter drill than the one advised in tapping drill tables. Just remembered that I have copied a table from an old SMEE Journal, which is useful but only covers a few thread systems.

John

Edited By DMB on 15/08/2022 09:30:00

The frequently mentioned total cost of electricity is based upon what I consider to be a rather high "average" usage but my usage is nowhere near that. My DD is currently £73/month, has been since a year ago and I am in "arrears" by much less than one month's payment. "Do I look bovvered?"

EDF keep pestering me by text one week and email the following week, to have a smart meter. Replied that I am smart enough to work out how much it will cost to stick the kettle on for a hot drink and if I want one, I'll put kettle on. Keep your smart meter!

Hopper,

Reading your comment about locking the carriage, made me re-read my last post @12.40 on 4Aug, thinking that I hadn't listed it, but I have, in line 5. Hopefully, I listed every move in detail, of my method. I notice that I made no mention of centre height, but I think that should be something done automatically. As others have said, so many different reccommdations and methods of, just do whatever you find works best for you.

John

QC Parting off Toolholder and HSS blade supplied by RDG Tools. "It's got their name on it," photo in my album. It's 3/32" thick x 1/2" deep x 4" or 5" long. I clamp it in the QC Tool post then loosen the post, run carriage up to the (stationary) chuck, hold side of the blade against the front face of the chuck, tighten the toolpost nut. Run carriage back to position for parting and lock carriage, half usual turning speed, plenty of good quality cutting oil, both hands turning the cross slide handle at a steady slow speed. Works perfectly every time. Conveniently, tool ready ground angle at front face ready to use in the front toolpost. Rear end of the tool is also end ground but the other way up, so it could be instantly transferred to the rear toolpost and immediately ready to use. One very satisfied customer of RDG.

Previous poster said "(courier) couldn't speak word of English". So what? That individual has to be admired for effort. Just as long as he can read and correctly interpret road signs to drive safely, good luck to him, hope he succeeds in self - improvement, rather than saying " I can't" like some wooden legged Brits. BTW, I am British born n bred!

Clive and Geoff's 4 screw clamp type for old hacksaw blades. I am certain that type appeared in one of the older traditional books on model engineering but unfortunately I cannot remember which one. It could be as far back as a "Duplex" book. Not tried making one but I think the design shows promise of effective Ness. Probably won't bother making one unless a special need arises as I'm very happy with my RDG Tools version. The HSS blade has been sharpened both ends in opposite directions so it could be switched, with it's holder, from front to rear toolposts without repositioning the blade. Looking forward to completing machining the rear toolpost to try.

John

Back in the day of the 3 day week (miners strike, I think?) sitting at desk with a candle, hand writing notes to enable me to quickly dictate letters when the juice came back on. Smoked like a chimney, gave me husky voice which made my Dictaphone tapes much sought after by the typing pool girls. 30 years stopped smoking and large offices all swept away by internet/emails/texts. But some things don't change, like brainless politicians.

Fingers crossed for a mild winter, if global warming really is correct. As stated above, who was the bright spark who decided to abandon reliable power generation for a sun that buggers off to the Antipodes for our coldest half of the year, leaving us dependant upon a few puffs of wind? Not one of the ex-Bullingdon club members?

Haven't even got 4696 yet to complain about. Postman not brought anything all week. I have often suspected that post is held for a few days there is often nothing for several days then a handful of mail on one day. Not out in the sticks - I'm in central Brighton, BN1 etc.

Bryan,

Thanks for that, what do you suggest?

John

I have an outside toilet, being a terrace house of prewar years. The wall was coated in cement by a previous owner, probably to hide cracks in the brickwork. Cracks kept appearing through the cement and ran out of ideas for filler jollops that claim to solve the issue but don't. Last summer, tried the bathroom silicone and so far, cracks not reappeared. Next summer if still OK will cover the lot with masonry paint. BYU. So yet another use for silicone, apparently.

Author, LTC Rolt 1965, Batsford books. I recently acquired from nearby second hand bookshop, a 1986 Revised Edition by HMSO (Science Museum), copyright Sonia Rolt.

Interesting read, on last chapter. Will take to club, free to who wants it.

0n topic this time, read that book sometime ago.

John

Chris,

I had forgotten to cancel a previous month for Prime and credit card statement recently, reminded me to act! Now! What a struggle to cancel. Beware all, of another trick, well as far as I'm concerned it is. Today being Wednesday, I was offered choice to cancel now or Wednesday 24/8. Charged to my CC on 24/6, so if I'd selected cancel on 24/8, they'd probably have charged me again! Needless to say, I read things carefully and took smart option to cancel now. It was only a short term membership in the first place but A P don't (want to) know when to stop. Sorry if off topic.

John

Further to my previous post, the root cause of America s gun problem is the Constitution. If only they scrapped the right to bear arms, that would be a start. Trouble is, it would probably spark a reaction similar to the pre war prohibition of booze. I believe that Joe Public should be limited to a simple pistol for personal protection, not vast collections of various guns. Don't see any good reason to possess any more than one pistol and say 20 bullets.

Thankfully, the UK doesn't have a similar problem but if the situation changed, suggest making it illegal to possess any firearm outside of a gun club or sporting facility like pheasant shooting venues. Maybe one or two exceptions e.g., farmers to protect their livestock.

Edited By DMB on 19/07/2022 20:55:12

How about America bringing in a total ban on possession of assault rifles. I think you would find that they are the type of firearm used most in the constant shooting episodes that we here about on the news all too frequently.

To those who would object, I ask, why would you need one? Plenty of other types available. If each state held say three amnestys in a 12 month, to allow for those out of the country on business or hols., that should clear out most of the A. Rifles. After that, no excuse, bang up fo mandatory minimum 10 years and confiscation of whole gun collection that those culprits seem to possess followed by a lifetime ban on possession of any firearm. Don't forget that said culprits give their victims 'life'.

BTW, I'm British, never been to USA and wouldn't on principle - unsatisfactory human rights record.

Edited By DMB on 19/07/2022 20:35:26