Member postings for Paul Lousick

Different industries (mechanical, civil, electrical, etc) had different standards for dimensions on drawings. Especially back in the hand drawn on a board days. The mechanical engineering standard that I was taught always used arrow heads. The architectural department used a small oblique slash. (always thought they were too lazy to draw a neat arrow head and were a bit "arty".

If there is no allowance for the thickness of a gasket and the surfaces are flat and mate well with each other, a coating of graphite based sealant will work. (used on the end cover on the steam cylinder of my 6" engine).

Our hobby is starting to get expensive but I had a pleasant surprise recently when I bought some RHS steel.

The list price is $76.88 / 8m length ($9.61/m) and I asked for a full length but 500mm was cut off the end and got the remainder at the off-cut rate (25% discount)..

My plan is for the next time is to check if there are any off cuts and if not, ask for a 500mm piece ($9.61 x 0.5m + $2.50 fee for cutting = $7.30). Then buy the remaining off cut at the discount price ($9.61 x 7.5m x 0.75 = $54.05)

So instead of paying $76.88 full price, only pay $61.36 (It's worth trying )

Google, mini spot welders. Used for welding terminals on batteries.

A quick internet search found this post: **LINK**

These issues are related to HP Drivers not being compatible for Windows 10. Here’s a list of Windows 10 Compatible Printers and Drivers: HP Printers – Windows 10 Compatible Printers
In most cases, you can fix this issue by downloading and installing the HP Universal Driver: HP Universal Print Driver Series for Windows
For other possible solutions to these issues, please visit the following AKN:
HP printers do not work with AutoCAD on Windows 8 or newer systems
Looking for more assistance? We can help! Whether you need help troubleshooting technical issues, or you’re interested in exploring our training or service offerings, contact us to get started.

I cannot imagine a big company like Autodesk selling a product that cannot print older drawings on a new computer and operating system.

People would not buy Autocad.????

I'm a bit confused with the question (does not take much to do that now days)

Updating the printer should not be a problem if you have the correct driver and should work with any computer. If your computer has been upgraded to Win 10, you should still be able to run your old Autocad. It should not matter if the .dwg drawings were created on a 32 bit or 64 bit machine. Newer versions of Autocad should be able to open older versions but the reverse is not always possible.

Paul

I only have ER32 collets and have not had any problems with quality with those sold on ebay and made in China. Some may not be made to toolroom standard but are OK for general machining work.

I try to buy thru a local importer and always use Paypal for any money transfer. On the odd occasion where I could not get an exchange of goods or my money back, they gave me a full refund.

Michael,

A steam calliope is one of the projects on my bucket list. The whistles are simple to fabricate but have to make a separate valve for each one. Only problem is that I can't play a musical instrument.

Paul

The thinnest wall brass tube that I could find from local suppliers was 0.8mm. The tube that I used to make my whistles was bought on ebay from China and is 0.5mm thick.

I use a felt disk on an angle grinder for polishing brass. Grinder held in vice and metal polish as the cutting compound. (ps. don't touch the wheel with your hand unless you want a friction burn)

HI Roy, Welcome,

More details required to give you advise. Different air compressors have different fittings. Does it have a pressure reducing valve ? (it possibly has a 1/8" or 1/4" BSP thread). Use an adaptor fitting that will screw into the outlet of the reducing valve and has a barbed end that the hose will push over. Available from hardware and some car accessory stores. A hose clamp may not be required for low pressure. Use a cable tie around the hose if it leaks.

You could use an air compress tank as a portable unit but it may not run the engine for long. You need a large volume of air if the compressor is not running. To get an idea of the size required, fill the tank on your compressor and turn off the motor and see how long your engine will run. A friend of mine has used a 9kg BBQ gas bottle as a portable tank to top up the air in his car tyres.

If " The base is not flat nor is it parallel" machine it flat. First, tram the mill table so it is square to the head and mount the vice base upside down on 123 blocks (or similar) and take a light cut to make it parallel.

" The fixed jaw block is not parallel or square to the keyway slot ". (Assuming the jaws are parallel), Remove the fixed jaw and machine the base to make it parallel to the mill.

The fit of the key in the vice to the mill base will always be a loose fit (although a snug fit is ideal, otherwise it will be difficult to install). Even if there is a lot of slop, the vice can be made square to the mill by pushing the vice against the side of the slide keyway before clamping it down.

These are a couple of Youtube videos with different methods of keeping the tap straight. (although a bit long winded at times)

**LINK**

**LINK**

It is the 1st of April

A standard wood chop saw is not suitable for cutting metal. They have a geared head and a slow speed cutting blade.

A bandsaw is more universal, it can be used horizontally and vertically. The teeth on a bandsaw are much finer and can cut thinner sections. (at least 2 teeth should always be in contact with the workpiece). Replacement bandsaw blades are cheaper than carbide circular saw blades.

I have not seen any competitively priced metal chop saws that can cut a 4" x 6" piece of steel.

For a 100cm x 100cm area, you will need a lot more than the 2 tubes of contact adhesive shown. Use a paint scraper or spatula to get it on fast to get an even coating before it starts to set.

The traditional glue for sticking melamine to bench tops was contact cement by applying a coating to both surfaces and allowing it to dry until it was no longer sticky to touch. The glue is intended to stick and hold on contact and there should be no slip between the 2 surfaces.

Then position some spacers (lengths of dowel rod or similar) on top of the bench and lay the melamine sheet on top of the dowels. This allowed you to align the melamine with the bench without touching it. Then, starting at one end, remove one of the spacers and press the melamine firmly to the bench to remove any pockets of air. Then remove the next spacer and do the same until all spacers have been removed.

Yes, It's good to invest in good quality cutters and drills but twist drills can be sharpened on a simple grinding wheel. End mills need a special grinder to re-sharpen, which I don't have and use the less expensive ones. I have a couple of preferred sellers who I buy from and therefore have an idea of the quality supplied.

My Lincoln MIG welder stopped working after many years of operation and I had to replace it.

There are lots of inexpensive welders advertised and I purchased one that had lots of good reviews. A 300Amp MIG and stick DC inverter welder made by Gantz in the New Year sales. (half price)

It was a lemon, I tried to resolve the problems with the supplier for 3 months and only got my money back after threatening to take my complaint to the Government Department of Consumer affairs and post bad reviews on the internet.

If you do decide to buy one of the welders, do it thru a known company that can offer backup service and spare parts, even if it costs a bit more than the cheaper ones advertised.

Gasless is not as good as using gas models but can produce a decent weld, especially outside in windy conditions.

I would also recommend that you buy one that can also use a shielding gas, should you want to upgrade in the future.