Member postings for Paul Lousick

My supplier will cut to a specified length for $4/cut but often there are off-cuts of various lengths which are only charged at the metre rate.

Like everything else, steel prices have increase and it's worth shopping around to get the best price.

Bunnings is the biggest hardware supplier in Australia and have lots of stores (even planning to open in UK). They have bought out many of the smaller stores and have a monopoly on the market. As a result, their prices are expensive. It may be convenient to buy from them but I prefer to not get ripped-off.

eq. Their price for 25x25x1.6mm gal square tube is $11.12/metre, compared to Edcon Steel (an industrial metal supplier) which is only $4.45/metre.

And why I said it is a bit over the top for a one off part.

There are USB drivers for DOS such as DosUSB. **LINK** Do a Google search.

A Youtube video of Joe Pie machining the steam chest for a Stuart No 10 engine using a special holding fixture. (although a bit over-the-top for a one off part)

(And using a material tor keeping the drill aligned when cutting the hole on the far side which is not available in Australia )

**LINK**

This is a flywheel which I made on a rotary table. (Dimensions are for this flywheel only).

A CAD drawing made first to determine the geometry of where to position the work on the mill.

1. Turn a solid flywheel from round bar and make mounting plate for milling on RT.

2. Center the RT under the mill spindle and zero the DRO, Clamp centre of mounting plate with centre of RT.

3. Clamp flywheel (FW) to mounting plate and move X-axis (21mm). Mill curved slot (35 degrees)

4. Rotate FW for cutting next slot. Use pin for positioning. Repeat for remaining slots.

5. Move table to 0,0 position. Align Datum 2 with centre of RT.

6. Move table to position of Datum 2 (15,8) and mill slot.

7. Repeat for Datum 2.

Find a model club in your area. As you have a good workshop and CNC mill, you may be able to assist others and share ideas.

Hi Ed, I am across the ditch in Sydney.

There are lots of good videos on Youtube about leaning to use a lathe and mill.

eg: Blondihacks **LINK**

Or Joe Pie (Pyzynski) **LINK**

Last weekend was the 35th anniversary of the Hunter Valley Steamfest at Maitland NSW (2 hours drive north of Sydney).
It was scheduled to be held in 2020 but cancelled because of Covid and a flood last year. Rain was forcasted for the weekend but the weather gods were kind to us and provided sunny days instead.
It is organized by the Maitland City Council in conjunction with the Maitland Antique Engine Society.

I ran my Ruston Rroctor model traction engine. At the end of the video are some excellent table top models.
(videos of engines taken before the expected 60,000 visitors had arrived)

**LINK**

I use the cheap Aldi digital calipers for every day use and class them as a throw away tool.

Better than those are IP54 rated calipers which are made to a better standard and are waterproof. Available on ebay from $40 - $90 depending on discount. Battery in mine lasts for more than a year

The first paragraph of Paul's post was " I am becoming increasingly frustrated about the lack of help for wanna be engineer's to start out. Without any basic knowledge" and as already said, machining is an engineering trade qualification which takes years to learn at a technical college.

Youtube is a good place to start for a beginner with hundreds of introductory videos about using a lathe and mill, such as those by Harold Hall (**LINK**) , Joe Pie (Piecynski), Quin at Blondihacks (**LINK**), etc

Paul

Video of a DIY bandsaw on Youttube using wooden wheels and a simple sliding angle grinder guide. . **LINK**

A bandsaw is a very handy tool in the workshop but an option is to use a sliding angle grinder guide. Lots of DIY builds on the Internet, Youtube, etc.

Lots of expensive suggestions but has everyone read the budget for the project.

Operating budget is £2.50 and a pack of smarties.

The old para flood lights use a 500W globe. Or 5 x 100W light globes.

If your DRO only has a 3 volt supply, use a voltage converter (buck converter) to reduce the voltage.

Like this one that sells on ebay for £4.20 . Power supply can be any old DC phone/computer adaptor.

**LINK**

I have an add blocker on my browser and I do not see any flashing lights or advertisement. I use Firefox and it is included in the software.

Can you create a colour print on a bubble jet, etc.

If so, install a virtual printer application that saves the output as a pdf or jpg file. This can create a higher resolution image than a screen capture.

Most ER collet/Morse taper adaptors have a threaded end and a draw bar can simply be a piece of threaded rod. (and needed for milling operations)

My lathe, mill and rotary table all have the same size morse taper, allowing me to transfer the job from one machine to the other without upsetting the set up in the collet.

If the mounting feet on the lathe sit directly above members on a rigid frame, the type of material used for the deck can be anything and does not need to be load bearing.