Member postings for JA

Just a comment: Before you do any cutting make sure the work is absolutely firm in the chuck (or whatever is holding it) and the cutting tool likewise. Doing so may still mean you could mess up the job but not doing so will mess up big time.

I use a face plate on the lathe far more than a 3 jaw self centering chuck. A Keats plate is also a really useful work holder. In addition to these a good set of collet chucks is invaluable.

JA

Pete

My apologies. I miss-read your posting. (I should not post at night).

I have never seen a self centering 4 jaw chuck in my life. I don't intend to see one.

JA

Are you from Mars?

I never saw a 3-jaw chuck during my apprenticeship. Almost the only reason they exist is because no one with a brain can use one.

The only time I use one is to hold a fly-cutter.

JA

International Combustion Ltd - That takes me back to my youth!

JA

Paul

Is this just a rant? There is nothing wrong with that. I like a good rant.

Or an appeal for help? There are people out there who will help you. The first thing to do is make the appeal and give some idea of the location of your workshop.

JA

It will be viewed many times.

Very expensive hype but perhaps there is no such thing as bad press. I am too old to understand these things.

Enough said.

JA

!l!!!!!

JA

To all.

Many thanks for the advice.

The drawings are not damaged and will remain where they are except for two that will be copied for a talk. Our first job is to produce an index so that we know what we have. After that our problems start: we do not have any money and are not allowed to use cameras. Old fashioned blueprinting, using u-v light and potassium ferricyanide, has a definite appeal since it is cheap, safe and easy.

JA

Up until 60 to 70 years ago important engineering drawings were usually done on linen drafting film (starched light linen cloth) since it is more robust than tracing paper. However it was replaced in the 1960s by polyester film.

Where I volunteer there are quite a few valuable drawings on linen film. These, most over 100 years old, are stored flat and in the dark. However the temperature and humidity varies considerably. My questions are:

1. How long can they be expected to last?
2. How does the film degrade?
3. How does one preserve the drawings?
4. What is the best way of copying them? Originally blue printing would have been used. Can they tolerate the later ammonia based copying processes? Obviously they can be photographed but flatness and light reflection could be a problem.

Any knowledgeable comments would be welcome.

JA

I noticed in a recent video report from a Ukrainian dug-out a Maxim gun.

JA

Which made it get very hot very quickly.

JA

Ross

I have sent you a PM.

The Workshop Practice books are well worth their value (more than some other books). Tubal Cain was particularly good. His "Model Engineer's Handbook" is invaluable.

JA

Hi Ross and welcome.

Have you thought about joining your local model engineering society?

JA

Thomas

What an interesting lathe. I have never used a capstan or turret lathe although fellow apprentices who could not budget their money got employement on nights at such lathes (invariably they were chucked off the apprenticeship at the end of their first year).

Use the hydraulic oils you suggest. There is also ISO 32 which may be easier to get than ISO 46. I think the ISO 68 should be a sticky slideway oil. I guess you are wise enough to avoid car/motorcycle olis of any type.

My feeling is that you are on your own. However one forum member, Andrew Johnston, is well experienced at using industrial machine tools. Looking at your photographs and www.lathes.co.uk it appears not to have a lead screw. If so this will limit the use of the lathe. I hope I am wrong.

All the best with the lathe

JA

We should care but how do I know the country of origin? They both call themselves China.

JA

This must be part of the original question. What do we mean by China? We, as consumers, don't really care.

It would be interesting to know the percentage of imports from each country. I have a feeling that one of the Chinese Lathe manufacturers is in Taiwan. This leads to the next question, how much business interchange is there between the two countries?

I do not want this to become political. I see no reason for it to do so.

JA

Not really. Just like a lot of firms, including some importers of Chinese lathes, they just leave the inspection to the customer.

JA

On my Myford the belt slips (and it is in good condition).

Worse things can happen. When parting off a hollow cylindrical item I use a "catch" rod held in a Jacobs chuck in the tailstock. Once I failed to do so when parting off a cylinder about 38mm O.D and long. The part fell between the bed and a jaw of my large four jaw chuck. That produced a large bang but no damage. However I now do not run that chuck at high speed.

JA

Edited By JA on 11/04/2023 21:39:38

If I dug a hole as Andrew suggests it would fill with water. At present I have a dry workshop but there is a river 50m away and the water table is always high.

However I am only 1.70m tall so I will just continue machining.

JA (who is having a metric April)

Years ago I made a Stuart 7A with a double eccentric. I kept on breaking cast iron double eccentrics so I used a short length of bright mild steel bar. One good double eccentric.

I did not use a jig, just a four jaw chuck with a lot of measuring and checking. I think I had a chucking stub on either side of the double eccentric.

Have fun!

JA