Member postings for Greensands

OK, so lets say ebay then.

An example of the DRO system in mind is currently listed on the well known auction site.

Hi all - I have just become aware of the Shahe type DRO system for the Myford (and others) lathe and being advertised as "needs no installation" clamping directly to the lathe bed. Does anyone have any experience in using one of these devices?

Have attached a photo showing a second example of a full sized drivers' seat with an alternative form of profiling which would be easier to replicate in miniature

Jason - Size of seat in 5" gauge should read 15/11.8 = 1.25" square.

Here is one for the rivet counters. I would like to be able to fit a couple of tip-up driver/fireman's seats to a 5" gauge loco from oak measuring typically 15" square by 0.1" thick but the problem is that in order to make it look somewhat less slab like I would like to be able to create the bum shaped depression in the centre of the seat. Does anyone have any ideas on just how this might be achieved in 5" gauge? The attached photo shows an example of a full size driver's seat taken at one of our preserved railways.

Thanks for that, very useful bit of info. I must confess however that I have never been able to read HKS into the cast panel. You live and learn on this forum.

Have attached some pics of my vintage sensitive drill press which was picked up at a carboot sale some years ago and has proved to be a very useful addition to the workshop. As in the OM, I have no idea of its origins and have never been able to decipher the makers name from the initials cast into the base. Any suggestions would be most welcomed.

A couple of pics showing the rear toolpost holder

Hi - Using a rear mounted parting-off tool on my Myford S7 has recently got me wondering which should be the preferred slot for attaching the tool (base measurement 2”x2"  ) to the cross slide. I have always made the practice of mounting it in the rear most slot largely because it provides more room around the chuck which in turn allows it to remain in place whilst performing other operations. The down side is that I have sometimes noticed that on removing the tool, the cross slide leadscrew can sometimes show signs of stiffening-up which rapidly disappears on usage but might suggest that it could be a result of over tightening. As a result I have taken to mounting the tool in the second slot back from the rear when possible but of course things can get a little cramped in the process. Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter? I should add that I am always very careful in tightening up on the lathe in order to protect the potentially vulnerable ‘T’ slots.

Edited By JasonB on 27/11/2021 10:02:15

I am afraid that I cannot offer any clarification on the circumstance under which the failed as the event took place some weeks/months ago and I only discovered the broken die wheh I came to re-use the die holder and the die fell out in two pieces! Have now ordered a replacement itwm having a 1 5/16" O/D which should prevent any further problems.

Hi – Is anyone aware of a design for a backhead fitting blow down valve for a model steam locomotive in 3.5”/5” gauges similar in action to that shown on page 165 of Martin Evan’s book “The Model Steam Locomotive” but with access to the valve from above instead of from the front. Reason for the proposed change is to ease the handling arrangements from what would be a cramped footplate. Will be interested to see what my options are.

Hi - I have just suffered a breakage of a 1/2" BSW split die when adjusting the centre screw to back off the cut which on reflection I think was due to the fact that the die had been manufactured with a 1" O/D resulting in an inherently weak design. Surely a die of this size should have been made on the next size up in the O/D series e.g. 1 and 5/16" to give the necessary meat around the periphery. There is no evidence of the name of the manufacturer on the die and so have had to put the whole thing down to experience. Thought it might be of some interest and perhaps a warning to other users.

Hi all - With Christmas coming up I have been thinking about suitable pressies which the family might like to give me for use in the workshop and have started to look at tacho meters but the question arises as to which type to consider - contact or a non-contact. A typical application would be for use with the milling machine but I also have a variable speed topslide drilling spindle to consider. Any pearls of wisdom would be much appreciated.

In general the bore size of a Myford Super 7 spindle will not accept 5/8" bar stock, a fact which I have always found to be very frustrating. However, I do recall having a conversation with Chis Moores some years ago at an exhibition where he told me that subject to individual inspection Myford did offer a special machining service to carry out the reboring operation stressing the fact that it would not be possible to do on every unit. Hope this helps.

Must confess to only having looked on ebay as I much prefer to pay using Paypal but happy to expand my search

Hi - Can anyone suggest a source of replacement surgical blades for Swann Morton scalpel handles available in small quantities as opposed to packets of 100 which seem to be the norm.. The top photo shows handle No.3 which takes blade size #10 and a second handle No.4 for which I do not have the blade number

I find Old Mart's description of the Morse 2 fitting as "a wet noodle" a little harsh as Ihave always found it to be perfectly satisfactory when used on my bench top mill and in the Myford lathe for that matter. Obviously it has to be used within its limits but surely that is true with all our pieces of kit.

Hi - The current MEW No.309 refers on Page 56 "On the Wire" to the LH threaded boss or ring nut being used as a means of ejecting the chuck by tightened up against the quill. I have the identical model on a M2 taper but when I acquired the tool the guy made no mention of this use of the ring but said that it was there to make the whole assembly more rigid. Until now, I have never given it any further thought. Anyone have any further ideas on its use?

Where were all the hard spots?