Member postings for David Colwill

So here is what Mitutoyo think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV1VToAqfXI&ab_channel=MitutoyoAmericaCorporation

and here is how they think you should calibrate a micrometer.

That would be nanometers

If the OP is near Nottingham. He is welcome to pop round and check against my slip gauges.

Regards.

David.

My barrier cream experiment has finished and the results are in.

Dri-guard is the winner. Nice smell and easily absorbed.

PR88 (smells like marzipan [may be a good thing]) and has a weird texture.

Gloves in a bottle smells awful and was really sticky.

I didn't notice much performance wise but definitely was put off by the others but this is very much a personal thing.

As someone who in the past would not use a barrier cream I am now a convert.

Regards.

David.

The owners of the site are very protective of it and don't take kindly to such suggestions. I believe that there are provisions in the terms and conditions to allow heretics that make said suggestions to be tarred and feathered. Expect judgement to be delivered by carrier pigeon.

Regards.

David.

I have had similar experiences with a Denford Easiturn. I machined it

REgards.

David.

Damn it! I must have been burgled.

Alistair.

I looked at the smaller mats but they were nearly as much as the larger ones (on ebay at least).

Jouke van der Veen.

I will probably get another and cut it in half as this seems to be cheaper than buying smaller ones.

David.

Over the last couple of years I seem to have started to feel the cold a little more. This is particularly bad when my feet get cold.

I bough a rubber mat off ebay for £21.99. It is 5 foot by 3 foot and about 3/8" thick. The sides are bevelled and and it has holes that allow oils swarf and finished components to fall in to.

It has made a huge difference to working on the lathe and I have now ordered another for in front of the bench.

There are a number of people selling these and I have no connection with any of them.

Regards.

David.

The easiest way is to use a three point bore micrometer. The bad news is that they cover a limited range and are hellishly expensive. They do show up used on ebay and you can get lucky.

Regards.

David.

Sorry! Only a tongue in cheek dig at him heading to the dark (brown) side.

Oh dear!

I never follow build threads but this was the exception.

Amazing not only for the standard of work but also the speed that complex items were made.

David.

In my opinion that sounds very high for what is essentially a project.

Sadly it is quite difficult to offer advice on prices of second hand lathes as condition is everything and this is not always obvious if you are new.

Having said that if you could find a Model A for £500 / 600 That would be not too bad.

Personally I would try to find one that is complete with chucks / collets and or other accessories and is or has been recently used. If you can have it demonstrated all the better.

David.

Just out of curiosity. Has anyone used the guy mentioned in the Doubleboost videos on youtube?

Just asking as I have a couple that could do with TLC.

Regards.

David.

I would have to agree with Andrew.

Unless you were wanting to make the most basic of models I think you would pretty soon hit the limitations of the lathe.

That said S&B are excellent (I have a 1024).

If you have a ton of room and the money is no issue, then as a project to learn on, maybe but demand for such lathes second hand is not great.

A Smart and Brown model A or a 1024 would be a good bet.

Regards.

David.

Could you mount one of the scales from the lathe on the mill and compare the two?

This would eliminate any errors from reading dials or tolerances in the screws.

Regards.

David.

His series on prototyping is worth watching.

David.

Although given that your mill is quite small, a 3 inch length of 3/4 or 1 inch diameter copper bar would be suitable.

David.

My first thought too!

You can also use 3M lapping film which is self adhesive. This can be stuck to a piece of ground steel and comes in various grades.

Regards.

David.

Yes my thanks too!

Regards.

David.

A friend of mine has recently bought a machine off one of the suppliers mentioned in the original post. The machine as supplied had a problem with the spindle. The supplier has been very helpful and has offered to take the machine back but this was rejected and new parts were sent out FOC for my friend to fit. Whilst by no means the norm this is not uncommon either.

I mention this only to highlight the fact that in order to benefit from the excellent service you do need to realise that there is a problem. Lathes and milling machines can have quite subtle faults.and those new to the hobby may not be aware of them until it is too late.

David