Member postings for OldMetaller

Hi, slightly tangential question- do these MT 2 collets only close on the diameter stated, or do they, like the ER 32 collets I've got, overlap and close on any diameter within their range?

Regards,

John.

I suspect Isaiah and Hezekiah were talking about the Vincent Black Shadow..?

Regards,

John.

Excellent!

But I thought Triumphs were much older than that, after all, in the bible it says...'And the sound of Moses' Triumph was heard throughout the desert...'

I'll get me coat...

John.

That made me smile!

John.

Wilkos are great for stuff like that- I bought a 500ml tin of red oxide primer last week, it's meant as a metal primer but I've also used it for painting the wooden body of a scratch-built 16 mm scale railway wagon that I've just made.

it's really nice paint, goes on smoothly and has a nice satin-y finish. And...only £4.50!

Regards,

John.

That's absolutely amazing, well done!

Regards,

John.

Thank you all for the ideas and suggestions. I'm going to attempt something to day, if it's not disastrous I'll post a picture!

Regards, John.

Gentlemen, I need to call upon your knowledge once more. A colleague is restoring a Class 50 diesel locomotive and he needs 180 teflon/ptfe/delrin or suchlike washers, 1mm thick by 34mm od and 18mm id. The ones he has priced are too expensive as he is on a budget, so I've said I'll make a punch for him to make his own washers from sheet material.

My question is, will mild steel suffice for this punch if he uses a soft cutting mat or something for the anvil, and is there anything I can do to the edges of the punch after I've turned it to shape to make it stay sharp for 180 punching operations?

Thank you,

John.

Neil, if you keep posting awesome pictures like that, I'm going to have to get me a telescope!

Regards,

John.

Like Brian, I'd like to know more about this as I'm nearly ready to make the grate for my little loco.

Regards,

John.

Hello again everybody...well, I couldn't wait until tomorrow, so I got stuck in and made the two red lenses out of the red acrylic rod. Sorry it's not a great photo, I only had my phone to hand.

The acrylic machined beautifully, no noise, just pink ribbons of 'swarf' peeling off (that reminded me strangely of a favourite childhood confection), tending to hang about due, I imagine, to static electricity. I used no lubricant, sharp HSS and steady turning speeds and was delighted by the results.

Another string to my bow, and thanks again for all the great advice freely shared!

Here are the unfinished buffer stops with the buffer stop lamp illuminated. I just need to get on with the weathering and distressing now.

Regards,

John.

Thank you all for that- I'll get stuck in tomorrow and see how I get on. I can't bring myself to waste *CHEESE* in the lathe, so it'll have to be WD40 or Lipsyl!

I would normally use LED's, but I'm using up my old stock of miniature bulbs as I can't bear to waste anything!

Thanks again all.

John.

Hi everyone, I've just bought some 10mm round acrylic rod to make lenses for two 16mm scale buffer stop lamps. If I was turning them in brass I wouldn't be troubling anyone, as I can happily create the shape I need. My concern is turning acrylic, as I've never worked with it before.

So my questions are: Do I need lubricant? Will sharp HSS tools do it? What speed do I run the lathe at? How do I get a nice finish?

I would be very grateful for your thoughts, please.

Regards,

John.

I saw that this morning... I'd worked out it was the Moon and Venus, but thanks for enlightening me as to the others, Neil...it looked fabulous!

Regards,

John.

Neil- you want a double entendre? I'll give you one!

Regards,

John.

Excellent photos Ron, thanks for posting. I've not been for about three years, but it looks like it just gets better and better. Love the Galloping Goose!

Regards,

John.

Excellent photos Ron, thanks for posting. I've not been for about three years, but it looks like it just gets better and better. Love the Galloping Goose!

Regards,

John.

What a good idea- I may have to make one of those!

Regards,

John.

Thanks John, I've saved that for a more leisurely look at a later date.

I sometimes learn a lot from these old books, and even if I don't learn anything there is still the lovely ambience to soak up, of a time when a hobby was a luxury to be pursued in the coal shed or something!

Regards,

John.

Martin, if you want a quick(er) project you could look at this website:

http://www.modelengineerslaser.co.uk/

I deal with this guy and his laser-cut parts are really good, and speed things up no end!

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

Regards,

John.