Member postings for MikeK

This thread prompted me to look for one for my lathe. Found this inexpensive unit below. it comes with a 2MT arbor and free shipping! I have recently purchased from that seller with good results.

**LINK**

Hi Clive,

Not to change the direction of the thread, but do your tapered roller bearings require regular oil or grease?

Mike

Nice snowflake photos. Scientific American should have done more research, though, as there is a snowflake expert who can design them in the lab, to order. And make two alike. See video below. "Still mystifies" is the wrong phrase for the title. "Still amazes" is more appropriate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao2Jfm35XeE

Could this not be made? Turn several pieces of small rod to known diameters, on the lathe, and glue each to a stick?

FYI: The mini-mill group that used to exist on Yahoo was moved to groups.io and has all of the files (I think) including the DIY version of the belt drive conversion. Files are at https://groups.io/g/Mini-Mills/files/Mini-Mills

Requires a lathe, of course.

As mentioned, check the headstock, which is something you can easily adjust with shims. The procedure I used, I think, was from the Yahoo mini-lathe user group...which of course is DOA, but I believe all of the files and such have been moved to the mini-lathe group on the groups.io site.

I was fortunate enough to get an SPI brand keyless chuck from Enco back before they closed and got a heckuva deal. Not as good as the Albrecht, but also not as expensive. I have no complaints with mine.

I used cheap automotive feeler gauges when I first got my mini lathe. When I got tired of that method I built the "Norman patent" QCTP, usually attributed to Ralph Patterson (who is the one who produced the PDF, I think)...And I haven't looked back.

The traditional style of QCTP give the tool too much overhang, which isn't a problem for larger lathes, but is not ideal for the mini.

Patterson's plans originated on the Yahoo mini lathe group and have since moved to groups.io:

https://groups.io/g/7x12MiniLathe/files/Ralph%20Patterson%20drawings/RP_qctp.pdf

I didn't realize any of the UK got sun. Welcome, Jon.

The order did tell me that it starts with #310. I guess I'll just wait some more. Thank you Clive.

I've done plenty of threading on my 7x16 mini-lathe and have never used the threading dial. I find it easier to leave the half nuts engaged. I back out the cross slide, reverse the motor, put the cross slide back in (to zero), and advance the cut with the top slide. This is a necessity, anyway, for those of us with an imperial leadscrew when cutting metric threads. I simply have the same practice for all threads.

I've not noticed any wear on the leadscrew. Swarf is easily brushed off. And if, like you say, you don't plan on doing much threading then your worries should be low. Aluminum swarf is almost always long strings so that's not a problem for the leadscrew. And if I'm turning something that generates minute swarf, like brass, I'll use a vacuum to catch most of it.

Great benefit is had, though, by having two half nuts as it give the carriage rigidity. I engage the half nuts when parting off and even facing most times. Not locking the carriage in some way risks it moving.

Any other U.S. subscribers here? I subscribed a month ago and am still waiting for the first issue to arrive. Have you got your Dec (310) issue of MEW? I was a subscriber some years ago and don't remember if getting the mag in the U.S. was a problem.

And the only bookstore that I've ever seen carry MEW hasn't had it since at least the start of the pandemic.

(I've ordered books from the UK that never took this long.)

I was a subscriber a while ago, and then recently re-upped. I have to agree that I was always impressed with the quality of the magazine (though I'd prefer less ads and more content ). I'm not even a model engineer. But I think MEW does a much better job than any of our U.S. "machining" mags.

This is similar (same?) wire cable to that used for lifting garage doors. And also the safety cables for the springs to prevent them falling if/when they fail.

Okay, I got it. My mistake for not selecting USA on the first page. I was putting in my address on the "address" page, but if you don't select the proper destination on the first page I guess it's using the wrong subscription price and then fails.

And I just tried it on another machine and got the same results.

Tried it and got this:

"Sorry, we are currently unable to complete your order because either we don't ship to your country or you have products with mixed payment types in your basket."

And this was before entering payment info.

I ordered Model Engineers Workshop through Amazon and after a month they replied that my subscription has been cancelled.

I want a print subscription and live in the USA. Can I get this? I've been vaccinated, I swear.

Typo: should be 5/64", not 3/64".