Member postings for GLENN BUNT

Hi,

We`ll it had to happen some time !

My Tom senior Light Vertical has starting showing signs that the spindle bearings need replacing. The spindle is noisy above 2000rpm and the surface finish when profile milling is poor. The noise seems worse when machining internal contours so I suspect it might be more to do with the deep groove bearing at the top of the spindle rather than the angular contact bearings at the bottom of the spindle.

Before I start stripping down the spindle my question is has anybody gone through the process of changing the bearings (mine is circa 1976) and can offer advice on the process? Are there any recommended companies where I can purchase the bearings ?

Well its been nearly two years since started designing and making a Musical Longcase Clock, I'm delighted to report back it's finally completed and keeping magnificent time. For those interested I've posted some photo's.

In my previous post I described how I had the clock running on a test stand and the next challenge was to be getting the strike, Westminster chime motion working and the pin barrel complete. This took longer than I anticipated (like most projects as we all know) and then there was the engraving ........

As you can see I've gone for all the Horology toys I.E. moonphase, date wheel, seconds ring and month wheel all engraved by my CNC router and grained / silvered by myself, the centre was also engine turned / spotted.

The case was restored from a wreck purchased from ebay - only later to be damaged by one of our cats - the hood has had more touch downs than a soccer ball!

I'm going to have a break over xmas and then put pen to paper and write an article about my endeavours.

More photo`s in my album

Stew, MichaelG, Neil, Derek and John

Thank you for your kind words.

John,

The great wheel holes were marked out and drilled with the plates pinned together after that all the other pinion holes were marked out using a depthing tool.

I'll post some more photo's when I'm further along with the build.

Glenn

Hi,

Just over a year ago I asked on the forum about tuning bells for a musical longcase clock. Well I thought I would share my endeavours so far !

The clock mechanism is based on a 18th / 19th century longcase design but with an added train on the right hand side to play Westminster chimes on the quarter. I decided on a spiral bar gong for the strike and bar gongs for quarter chimes as the cost of tuned bells was prohibitive.

I have also opted to use a deadbeat escapement. Ive used old clock books for my reference and modelled everything in solidworks prior to any machining taking place. The clock is now up and running on my impromptu test rig and I've just finished getting all the motion work set up. My next challenge is to make the strike musical mechanisms.

More Photo`s in my album

Edited By GLENN BUNT on 22/04/2013 19:13:34

We`ll, my new acquisition has arrived – a Startrite Bandit 10 bandsaw .

It`s going to need a lick of paint in places and a new electric motor (the old one is tripping out my RCD`s) but the tyre`s are in good condition and it looks really well built.

As I don’t have a manual I have a questions for any fellow owners - On the side of the bandsaw it states that different guide blocks should be used for different bandsaw sizes e.g. 3/8 , ½ and ¼.

Is this critical and has anybody made their own out of mild steel or silver steel (depending if its hardened) or is it worth converting it to bearing guides (as sold by Axminster tools). The bandsaw will be used for cutting Brass and mild steel plate.

Hi Michael,

I’ve enquired about the original Model Engineering magazine articles on Claude Reeve`s Musical clock and got hold of a copy of the book but both mention where the clock bells can be purchased from i.e. Whitechapel Foundry but no mention of DIY casting or modifying bells. Does anyone know if there was an article on casting / making / modifying clock bells ?

Keeping my options open with regard clock chimes (bells or gongs) does anyone have any information regarding making a set of tuned Spiral Gongs. This would be a set of four or more for Westminster chimes. What material should I use, what size (width, dia and length) and whether to harden & anneal, toughen or just leave in original state.

There seems to be a lot of information in old reference books on clock mechanical operation, making and repairing but very little on chimes etc. If anybody has any knowledge, information or can suggest further reading then I appreciate any help you can give me.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply.

I’m confused, isn’t a bicycle bell the same shape as a clock bell ? When I look at pictures of clock bell assemblies they seem to me (a complete novice on this subject) the same basic shape but different depths.

Unfortunately there isn’t a lot of depth in the case that the clock mechanism will fit in so brass tubes can be discounted for this project. That leaves me with a choice of persevering with bells, bar gongs or spiral gongs. Tuned Bar gongs can be purchased for reasonable cost but again create challenges with space I.E. moving the chime hammers and components to the back of the mechanism and possible inference with the clock weights and pendulum. I also think that bar gongs would look wrong on an English longcase clock mechanism design based in the 18^th and 19^th century. Spiral gongs are a possibility, I have many types and sizes in my parts cupboard but again I would have to research how to “tune” them. These would be more representative with later longcase mechanisms – any idea how to make or modify spiral gongs ?

Bells will fit nicely on top of the mechanism ( I need a minimum of four ), I haven’t discounted my first idea of purchasing different size clock bells yet and I’m still keen to see if the note can be altered to represent a reasonable sound. Some old books ive read indicate some methods including shortening the bell and removing material from the inside rim !

I`m confused, is`nt a bicycle bell the same shape as a clock bell ? and when I look at pictures of clock bell assemblies they seem to me (a complete novice on this subject) the same basic shape but different depths.

Hi,

I’m working on a project to make a quarter chime longcase mechanism. The project will be based on a 18^th / 19^th century English mechanism with an added train on the right hand side. I am using old clock books as my reference and they suggest a peal of four or eight bells. I have looked at the cost of buying a new peal of bells but was surprised at the cost – several hundred pounds!

My cunning plan is to purchase separate bells of different diameters and to try and “tune” them. I have an app for my phone which will tell me the bell note my question is does anybody know how to change or alter the note of a clock bell?

Hi,

I have recently completed a CNC conversion of a Tom senior Light vertical and I decided to use the knee as the Z axis. I chose Arc Euro Nema 34 stepper 6.5 N.m motors wired in parallel configuration mounted alongside the knee and connected to the hand wheel arbour via timing pulleys and belt. I chose a 25mm dia ballscrew for the axis and used the ends of the old leadscrew to retain the straight bevel gear mechanism. I fitted two gas struts from www.sgs-engineering.com to even out the load on the motor. This works fine, in recent tests the axis was repeatable within .0005” and as an additional benefit the machine can still be used manually. It won’t compete with a dedicated CNC machine for speed but it was very satisfying to see 90+KG of machine rapidly traversing up and down via CNC control. I hope to submit an article later this year on the conversion.

Hi,
I am looking into Tony Jefree`s CNC conversion of the Myford ML7 Lathe (MEW May 2008). Tony recommends fitting your Myford ML7 Cross Slide Bearings Set (Part no MYFML7CSBS) to the ML7. My conversion will be on a Myford Super 7 and I see that the kit it doesn’t fit the Super 7. Why is this? Is the cross slide lead screw diameter larger? Does anybody know of an alternative kit / bearings I could use?

Many Thanks

Edited By David Clark 1 on 20/03/2010 08:48:16